Broome County has long been a leader in sustainability initiatives, making strides in the areas of energy efficiency, flood resiliency, waste management, local agriculture and more. To document the County's commitment to these efforts, Broome County passed the Climate Smart Communities pledge in June of 2019.
As a result of this commitment, Broome County has completed enough actions under the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Climate Smart Communities Program to become a bronze certified Climate Smart Community. The County was certified as a bronze level Climate Smart Community in 2019 and is working towards recertification of our bronze level in 2024.
Climate Smart Communities Task Force
The Climate Smart Communities Task Force serves as a central body of leadership that promotes and supports the local government to accomplish plans, programs, and activities that are part of the Climate Smart Communities Certification program. The County Executive has named the Broome County Environmental Management Council as the Broome County Climate Smart Communities Task Force. More information about the EMC and associated activities can be found on their webpage.
Climate Smart Communities Coordinator
The Climate Smart Communities Coordinator serves as a point of contact for the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program and facilitates project implementation. The Broome County Planning Department houses the Planner that serves as the CSC Coordinator. Contact information is listed below.
Gillian Sloan, Planner
Broome County Planning Department
60 Hawley Street, PO Box 1766
Binghamton, New York 13902
Phone: (607)778-2911
Email: gillian.sloan@broomecountyny.gov
Public Participation
Meetings of the EMC are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Climate Smart Communities initiatives, you can attend any of the meetings.
You can contact the CSC Coordinator to be added to the EMC email list.
You can also follow the EMC on Facebook to stay up to date on information related to the environment and climate smart initiatives in Broome County at www.facebook.com/broomeemc
Broome County Actions
As a Climate Smart Community, Broome County has committed to completing actions under 12 pledge elements, listed below. You can also find more information on these certification actions at the New York State Climate Smart Communities page. Broome County has made strides in several areas including energy efficiency, flood resiliency, waste management and local agriculture among others.
Click on each of the elements below to find out more about the County's sustainability projects, programs and initiatives that have been implemented or are currently in progress.
- Build a climate-smart community.
- Inventory emissions, set goals, and plan for climate action.
- Decrease energy use.
- Shift to clean, renewable energy.
- Use climate-smart materials management.
- Implement climate-smart land use.
- Enhance community resilience to climate change.
- Support a green innovation economy.
- Inform and inspire the public.
- Engage in an evolving process of climate action.
- Innovation.
- Performance.
Climate Smart Resources
Residents
There are lots of great ways that residents can be climate smart and reduce their carbon footprint. These can include enhancing your home's energy efficiency, using renewable energy options, moving toward a healthy vegetarian diet, and utilizing clean transportation options, such as electric vehicles. Check out the links below to get more ideas and information about being more climate smart in your everyday life.
The 35 Easiest Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
CarbonFund.org (great info for individuals and businesses)
Businesses
Instituting green policies at your business is a great way to be climate smart, but also can help your business improve efficiencies and be on the cutting edge of innovation. The NYSDEC has some great resources for "Greening your business". Get started here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/52717.html
