Municipal Sustainability

Municipal Sustainability
Municipal Sustainability

To lead by example, the City of Cambridge is engaged in many initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of municipal operations.

Tackling climate change and energy challenges requires all sectors of the community to do their part. Projects are underway to improve the energy performance of municipal buildings, make the vehicle fleet more fuel efficient, expand the use of renewable energy, and make operations more sustainable. The Community Development Department works to coordinate planning and implementation of municipal sustainability projects and to research new ideas.

  • Municipal Sustainability

    Municipal Buildings

    The City operates over 60 buildings plus other facilities such as water pumping facilities, parks, cemeteries, and parking lots. Municipal buildings account for about 60% of the City government’s energy use.

  • Electric Vehicles Only

    Green Vehicles

    The City works to make the 300 plus municipal vehicles as fuel efficient as possible by ensuring that they are sized appropriately for their tasks and are the most fuel efficient models available.

  • Lighting

    LED Street Lights

    Outdoor lighting – street lights, park lights, and traffic signals -- accounts for about 8% of the City’s overall energy use. The City is currently planning the replacement of all street lights with LED fixtures.

  • Urban forestry

    Other Sustainability Initiatives

    In addition to making municipal buildings and vehicles more efficient and using renewable energy, the City has a number of other sustainability initiatives including urban forestry and environmentally preferable purchasing.