Broward County Releases Online Go Green Tutorial for Employees...check it out!

Take the Broward Go Green Tutorial. This is the first in a series of tutorials to educate employees on how to reduce their carbon footprint at work and at home.  In this Tutorial you will learn about the county’s sustainability initiatives, and simple ways to reduce, reuse and recycle at work and at home.  We encourage you to share the Go Green Tutorial with your employees and friends.  For more information please visit gogreen.

  Government Operations Workgroup Releases Third Annual Progress Report

The Broward County Climate Change Government Operations Workgroup's Third Annual Progress Report describes greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures Broward County government implemented during FY2010, October 2009 through September 2010, and progress towards achieving the GHG reduction goal.

The estimated GHG emission reductions from the quantified measures totals 15,172 tonnes which resulted in an estimated annual cost saving of $1,091,286. The following are a few highlights of significant measures implemented:

Energy Efficiency Retrofits at Port Everglades: In calendar year 2010, energy efficiency equipment in cruise terminals and office buildings at Port Everglades resulted in a GHG emission reduction of approximately 5,398 tonnes and an annual savings of $ 745,146.

Hybrid Transit Buses: In FY 2010, the Broward County Transit Division introduced seven new 60-foot articulated hybrid buses into the fleet. The buses provide additional capacity for passengers, and resulted in a GHG reduction of 3,163 tonnes.                                                    

Energy Efficient County Buildings: Building construction and retrofit projects coordinated by the Facilities Maintenance Division contributed to an estimated reduction of 736 tonnes of GHG emissions.

 Broward County is "WasteWise": The Government Center West (GCW) composting pilot program collected an estimated 85 gallons of food waste during the first two months of the program. The program is on-going in FY2011. The nutrient-rich soil compost is being used to fertilize the NatureScape garden at GCW.

The Workgroup

The Broward County Climate Change Government Operations Workgroup (PDF) includes representatives from many county agencies that are organized into committees in the areas of buildings/infrastructure, waste, transportation, natural systems and policies. The Workgroup Steering Committee meets monthly to identify potential emission reduction actions and propose implementation of selected actions.

The Workgroup works very closely with  International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) the Budget Office, the Broward County Climate Change Task Force, and other local organizations to identify funding opportunities for the implementation of GHG reduction projects.  

Some of the continued efforts to achieve the reduction goals include the following:

• Continue Data Tracking and Reporting
• Intragovernmental Coordination
• Outreach and Education
• Research of Green Government Initiatives
• Participation in Climate Change Forums and Conferences
• Grants and Policy Research
• Annual Government Operations Emissions Inventory and Progress Reports
• Coordination with Broward County Climate Change Task Force

Reports

On June 24, 2008 the Broward County Government Operations Climate Change Report was accepted by the Board. This Report includes a review of potential climate change related impacts; a government operations GHG emissions reduction goal; a baseline year GHG emissions inventory; reporting of early voluntary actions already implemented towards the reduction target; and recommendations on GHG emission reduction strategies for future consideration.

On June 9, 2009 the first Broward County Government Operations 2009 Progress Report (PDF)   and the associated Appendix (PDF) was accepted by the Board of County Commissioners.  

On May 14, 2010, the Broward County Government Operations Second Annual Progress Report (Report) (401 KB) and associated Appendix (.PDF) (1,429 KB) Appendix (.docx) (2,215 KB), was completed. The Report, developed by Workgroup, describes the actions Broward County government implemented during fiscal year 2009, October 2008 through September 2009, and progress towards achieving the reduction goal. The Workgroup continues to identify and promote measures that support GHG reductions in government operations. Broward County’s government operations 2009 carbon footprint is 256,227 tonnes of eCO2.

On May 13, 2011, the Broward County Government Operations Third Annual Progress Report (470 KB) and Appendix (.docx) (3,313 KB), was completed. The County Government's FY2010 carbon footprint is 256,036 tonnes of GHG emissions. The bar chart below shows Broward County's 2015 emissions reduction target level and the past several years CO2 emissions levels in comparison.