Goal: City of Portland will promote a
sustainable future that meets today's needs without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs, and accepts its responsibility to:
 | Support a stable, diverse and equitable economy |
| Protect the quality of the air, water, land and other natural
resources |
| Conserve native vegetation, fish, wildlife habitat and other
ecosystems |
| Minimize human impacts on local and worldwide ecosystems |
City elected officials and staff will:
1. Encourage and develop connections between environmental quality
and economic vitality. Promote development that reduces adverse effects on ecology and the
natural resource capital base and supports employment opportunities for our citizens.
2. Include cumulative and long term impacts in decision making and
work to protect the natural beauty and diversity of Portland for future generations.
3. Ensure commitment to equity so environmental impacts and the
costs of protecting the environment do not unfairly burden any one geographic or
socio-economic sector of the City.
4. Ensure environmental quality and understand environmental
linkages when decisions are made and regarding growth management, land use,
transportation, energy, water, affordable housing, indoor and outdoor air quality and
economic development.
5. Use resources efficiently and reduce demand for natural
resources, like energy, land, and water, rather than expanding supply.
6. Prevent additional pollution through planned, proactive measures
rather than only corrective action. Enlist the community to focus on solutions rather than
symptoms.
7. Act locally to reduce adverse global impacts of rapid growth of
population and consumption, such as ozone depletion and global warming, and support and
implement innovative programs that maintain and promote Portland's leadership as a
sustainable city.
8. Purchase products based on long term environmental and operating
costs and find ways to include environmental and social costs in short term prices.
Purchase products that are durable, reusable, made of recycled materials, and non-toxic.
9. Educate citizens and businesses about Portland's Sustainable City
Principles and take advantage of community resources. Facilitate citizen participation in
City policy decisions and encourage everyone to take responsibility for their actions that
otherwise adversely impact the environment.
10. Report annually on the health and quality of Portland's
environment and economy.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability has been defined as "meeting the needs of today
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." It means
thinking about our behavior in a big context - recognizing that our choices have a
profound effect on our global environment and our future, and attempting to mitigate the
negative impacts. A commitment to sustainability is a commitment to creative and
responsible action.
The citizen members of the Sustainable Portland Commission advise
City Council on sustainability as a central theme for planning and management of the City
of Portland. The Sustainable City Principles was adopted by City Council in 1994.
The City of Portland Energy Office is actively advancing
sustainability. Efforts include:
| Portland: Progressing Towards Sustainability |
| Carbon Dioxide Reduction |
In 1990, Portland became the first city in the United States to
adopt a carbon dioxide reduction strategy.
| Alternative Fuels/Clean Cities |
| Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) |
The Energy Office, Bureau of Environmental Services, Traffic
Management, and Water Bureau offer technical assistance to help businesses become more
resource efficient and environmentally responsible.
| EcoTeams - Adopt sustainable lifestyle practices in Portland
neighborhood. |
| Block-by-Block Weatherization |
A free weatherization for low-income Portland residents.
For a copy of Sustainable Energy: A Guide for Local Governments,
contact the Energy Office.
Sustainability is a truly broad reaching, interdepartmental,
citizen-based, and intergovernmental effort. For more information on sustainability,
contact the City of Portland Planning Bureau, Office of Transportation, Bureau of
Environmental Services, and Water Bureau.
City of Portland Energy Office
1211 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 1170
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 823-7222
Fax 823-5370 pdxenergy@ci.portland.or.us
Updated March 18, 1997
Source: http://www.ci.portland.or.
us/energy/web/sustcityprinc.html |