November 2024 NEWSLETTER
Please let the County Board know that you want to see a robust building decarbonization program that will reduce energy use and phase out fossil fuels for both new construction and existing buildings. With the climate crisis continuing to unfold at an alarming rate, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions in our homes, offices, and apartment buildings is essential to avoiding the worst consequences and will make Arlington more resilient. Also, check out our tips for how to store food to reduce food waste.
Advocate For A Robust Building Decarbonization Program
The Arlington County Board is expected to consider the proposed update of the Green Building Incentive Policy (GBIP), its primary vehicle for building decarbonization, at its December 14 meeting. As we noted in last month’s EcoAdvocate, the program, while ambitious and more expansive than the current program, needs to be strengthened in several areas. We live at a time of environmental crisis, and the County’s Policy should reflect this. The most recent UN climate report foresees “debilitating impacts to people, planet and economies” unless nations take a “quantum leap” in emissions reduction.
With buildings accounting for almost 60 percent of Arlington’s greenhouse gas emissions, reducing overall energy use and eliminating onsite combustion of fossil fuels through electrification of heating, hot water, and cooking in our buildings are critical steps to addressing the unfolding climate crisis and meeting the County’s carbon neutrality goal. Key areas where the proposed GBIP can be improved include:
- Making the Climate Adaptation Pathway, which is based on a gold standard for building decarbonization, the centerpiece of the policy by structuring the available incentives and assistance to favor this pathway.
- Strengthening energy efficiency targets for all other participants and advancing building electrification by making it mandatory for new construction and adaptive reuse and requiring electrification plans for other existing buildings
- Creating an incentive and outreach package, including tax incentives, cash payments, expedited permitting, access to financing mechanisms, and technical assistance as well as ongoing outreach and education on building decarbonization technology and available federal and state programs, that will make the program accessible and attractive to developers and building owners.
- Promoting installation of EV charging infrastructure, advancing the County’s tree canopy goals, reducing embodied carbon from construction, and addressing affordable housing needs.
EcoAction Arlington has sent the County Board the following letter and we ask that you take a few minutes to amplify our message by sending your own letter. We’ve made it easy to sign and send but encourage you to add a personal message of what’s important to you. Our County Board members are committed to climate action and your letters will encourage them to take more ambitious actions than what is currently being proposed.
Share Your Thoughts On The County’s Food Waste Awareness Campaign
You may have seen the poster at bus stops, advertisements on TV and streaming platforms, and even digital displays on Red Top Cabs. Arlington County over the last year has been seeking to raise awareness of food waste and steps you can take to reduce it. The County now wants to hear from you to gauge how successful they have been in getting the message out on how to reduce food waste.
Take their 5 minute survey
Storing Food To Reduce Waste
It’s critical to properly store everything to ensure it doesn’t go bad before you’re ready to use it. For this article, we’ll focus on the refrigerator.
Free Sustainable Holiday Shopping Event
The Library is hosting a free shopping experience for the holidays. Developed from community donations, the Holiday Gift Nook is open to all and free for all. December 7 & 8. Find details and information on the library’s website.
Join Us on December 10
Connect with us! Our next Social is on December 10 from 5:30-7 pm at Café Sazón, 4704 Columbia Pike. Come out and connect with fellow eco-passionate folks in our community! This event is free and open to all! RSVP requested.
The EcoAdvocate is compiled by the EcoAction Arlington Advocacy Committee.EcoAction Arlington | Elenor Hodges, Executive Director | 703-228-6427office@ecoactionarlington.org | ecoactio
EcoAction Arlington’s mission is to educate, advocate, and act to create a sustainable community by improving our natural environment, encouraging environmentally-friendly behaviors, ensuring environmental justice, and addressing the climate crisis.The EcoAction Advocacy Committee engages in public discussion and promotes civic engagement among its members to influence government action to support its mission. EcoAction Arlington is a non-profit and non-partisan organization.
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