A tool for justifying and prioritizing investments in sustainable and resilient buildings and infrastructure

Loop’s launch brings reusable packaging to the world’s biggest brands

Article describing the use of fish farming to improve land use.

Article for energy recovery

biofuel

Article on global warning reduced by use of carbon free microbial partnerships.

This document addresses challenges to how many rural roadways are operating, & focuses on opportunities to make incremental improvements.

This workbook provides recommendations for how roadway agencies can integrate bicycle facilities into their resurfacing program.

Advisory Bike Lanes can be an effective tool to provide bicycle lanes on streets that are otherwise too narrow to accommodate them.

Sustainability initiative website for Newport News, VA aimed at engaging the community, promoting successes, and inspiring green lifestyles.

The roadmap to a sustainable future for Newport News, VA

A framework for mayors to develop solutions that build resilient communities, create new economic opportunities, and support racial justice.

This guide provides tips on how to ensure your climate preparedness planning process is equitable and community driven

This is the sustainability initiative website for Chesapeake, VA

See how New York is making their urban forest a priority and obtaining funding

Lancaster adopts first Zero Net Energy Home Ordinance in California.

EPA’s Route to Resilience Tool (RtoR) guides users through the process of building their own unique Roadmap to Resilience

APWA Center for Sustainability (C4S) Resource Guide for Chapter Sustainability Liaisons and Committees (2017)

City of Eugene 2014 APWA Sustainable Practices application detailing methods to create a sustainable pavement preservation program.

This video explains what the circular economy is and how Phoenix is leveraging it to become more sustainable

The City of Eugene adopted a Climate Recovery Ordinance that sets GHG reduction goals that are aligned with 350 ppm of CO2

Pittsburgh's Resilience Strategy- ONEPGH. Released in March 2017, this strategy maps out the City's plans to become more resilient.

This article identifies three responses to help improve the mediocre grade of our nation’s urban parks

The City of Oakland, CA's resiliency plan developed as part of their engagement with the 100 Resilient Cities program.

A Review of National and International Best Practices by Alta Planning

A guidance document to assist public works departments with creating and implementing an Urban Forest Management Plan.

A guidance document to introduce regulatory tools available to assist in the proactive management of urban forests.

A guidance document to help public works agencies staff and operate an efficient urban forestry planting and maintenance program.

A guidebook to help public works agencies understand the financial aspects of managing an urban forestry program.

A guide to support city administrators, planners, designers, and environmental advocates in determining the potential - and developing strate...

A toolkit addressing common trends in the approaches various cities are taking to planning, implementing, and funding green infrastructure to...

A blueprint for designing 21st century streets that are safer, more livable, and more economically vibrant.

A draft guide, toolkit, and technical assistance to promote comprehensive, community-wide planning approaches to manage stormwater.

helps municipal leaders more efficiently find, compare, and procure real solutions to their most urgent resilience challenges.

A news article on industry responses to climate change.

This brochure pulls together a variety of references to make the business case for sustainability, using IFC client examples.

This report looks at companies that “walk the talk” in addressing significant sustainability concerns.

This study on corporate sustainability presents an in-depth analysis of investors’ new ability to connect sustainability performance with c...

Website for RFPs, RFQ, etc. Often, links are provided within project detail. No need to register to follow these links to RFPs, RFQs, etc.

Website for civil engineers and government agencies, bid management and online bidding. Free registration. See sample RFP/RFQs.

Current Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Requests for Proposals (RFP).

Word Document template for a generic RFP. Created for use in Maine but useful elsewhere with some additional editing.

3 sample RFP/RFQs regarding different public engagement goals.

We post these closed solicitations for renewable energy generation, renewable energy certificates, and green power as a courtesy.

Sample RFPs and RFQs across a broad range of topics from the Municipal Research and Services Center.

A rating system for sustainability of transportation projects.

A decision support system for developing and implementing plans for flow and pollution control measures to protect source waters.

A desktop application that estimates the annual amount of rainwater and frequency of runoff from a specific site anywhere in the US.

A collection of municipal best practices covering topics such as funding, incentives, green streets, rain harvesting, and retrofit policies.

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ is a self-reporting framework for colleges to measure sustainability performance.

A case study of the City of Loveland's integration of electric vehicles into their fleet.

A document for water utility leaders highlighting 10 management areas, self-assessment checklists, and example practices for each area.

The Handbook describes planning steps utilities can take to ensure that investments are cost-effective over their life-cycle.

NRDC website on improving climate change preparedness.

Study assessing tools used by water agencies to measure GHG emissions, models that support these tools, and best practice strategies.

A case study of the cost effectiveness of using green infrastructure as a solution to stormwater management.

UDFCD provides services related to floodplain mapping, flood safety, new developments, planning, design, construction, and maintenance.

A case study on the City of Los Angeles' Humboldt Stormwater Greenway project.

Materials to help rural and small systems administrators and technical assistance providers conduct various types of workshops.

The Guidebook uses the EUM framework to help small systems assess their operations and develop a work plan for improving their performance.

Website and resources for utilities interested in using the 10 attributes and keys to management success.

A presentation from 2012 on increasing water utility efficiencies, conservation, and revenues through meter technology.

A report focusing on smart growth strategies in rural areas that protect natural and working lands and preserve rural community character

A report by ICMA looking at the implementation of sustainable practices in small and rural places.

A case study of the City of Arlington's implementation of a pavement management program.

A series of case studies and resources supporting implementation of sustainability practices in rural communities.

A report providing a comprehensive review of literature on the subject of sustainable cities.

A practical guide with resources and examples. Bridge the gap between planning and implementing sustainability initiatives.

A website highlighting the best complete streets policies from across the United States each year.

A report for the US Department of Energy with lessons learned from 16 grant-funded projects advancing plug-in electric vehicles.

The City of Bellingham's use of recycled porcelain, concrete rumble and waste stone as aggregate for new concrete flatwork.

A partnership between the City of Urbana, local utility and conservation groups to increase residential energy efficiency through audits.

A case study of legal action taken by the Conservation Law Fund regarding climate impacts and Lake Champlain in Vermont.

A case study by the City of Gainesville Public Works and C4S on the City's stormwater detention basin credit program.

A case study by the APWA Engineering & Technology Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Facilities & Grounds Committee and C4S

A case study by the City of Dubuque, APWA Transportation Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Fleet Services Committee and C4S

A case study by the City of Eugene Public Works, APWA Transportation Committee and C4S.

A case study by the City of Denver Office of Sustainability and C4S

A case study by the APWA Fleet Services Committee and C4S

A case study by APWA Small Cities/Rural Communities and C4S

A case study by the APWA Solid Waste Management Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Transportation Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA International Affairs Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Engineering & Technology Committee, Leadership & Management Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Facilities & Grounds Committee and C4S

A case study by C4S

A case study by the APWA Emergency Management Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Facilities & Grounds Committee, Engineering & Technology Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Water Resources Management Committee and C4S

A case study by the APWA Solid Waste Management Committee and C4S

A case study by the City of Cape May and C4S

A case study by the APWA Fleet Services Committee, Engineering & Technology Committee and C4S

A Request for Proposals from Huntington Beach, CA to acquire their streetlights from the utility and retrofit them to LEDs.

A report examining how to achieve lasting economic growth while also tackling the risks of climate change.

Information about SR2S programs to help decision-makers determine how to allocate scarce resources and assure positive outcomes from SR2S eff...

Envision provides a holistic framework for evaluating and rating the community, environmental, and economic benefits of all types and sizes o...

US EPA's Landfill Methane program

A report discussing smart growth and sustainable approaches in Vermont that can help communities be more resilient to future flooding.

A review of 'Climate Shock: The Economic Consequences of a Hotter Planet' (Gernot Wagner and Martin L. Weitzman)

This Guide provides infrastructure predevelopment (planning and design) guiding principles; case studies highlighting federal, state and loca...

Best practices for creating a built environment that makes walking a safe, enjoyable, and rational choice for short journeys.

A framework and tools to understand and address climate issues that impact people and their communities.

The workbook highlights existing guidance, justifications, and best practices for providing bikeways during resurfacing projects.

An assessment of the most important determinants of equity and opportunity examines differences in resident access to them.

Seven worksheets designed to help community groups organize effective public outreach.

A video and associated lesson plan (grades 3-12) on gardening lessons. Can help plan community events.

Online resource center and toolkit to provide common language for discussing urban forestry issues.

Reconnecting urban communities and improving coordination among federal agencies.

Panoramic view of how cities and towns benefit from nature.

Software suite from USDA Forest Service providing urban forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools.

Educational information about the benefits of trees and how to properly care for trees.

Overview of evidence of human health benefits of urban forestry.

12 cities throughout the country to compile lessons learned.

Narrative discussion of UTRI that includes an over, GIS data, model step-by-step

Template for creating the UTRI field inspection worksheet.

Template to help increase public safety after storm event.

Urban Forestry BMPs for arborists and planners.

The "Gold Standard" for municipal tree care and urban forestry programs.

Solar best management practices, including resources and examples ranging from zoning code improvements.

This interactive primer is based on Effective Utility Management: A Primer for Water and Wastewater Utilities.

An update to the schedule of social cost of carbon estimates from the 2010 interagency technical support document

A review of the literature on the economic impacts of climate change, an externality that is unprecedentedly large, complex, and uncertain.

Information to help building owners measure and track energy use, and benchmark the energy performance of their buildings.

Information and resources to help understand the links between transportation and health and identifies strategies to improve health

This report provides an overview of pedestrian and bicycle network principles and highlights examples from communities across the country.

Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) program emergency response and recovery resources for "utilities helping utilities".

A report on the resilience of cities based on vulnerability and adaptive capacity.

Federal Funding for Utilities in National Disasters (FedFUNDS) helps identify pre- and post-disaster funding opportunities for water utilitie...

Ten "rip & run” style checklists to facilitate emergency preparedness, response and recovery actions for water and wastewater utilities.

A video about how EPA’s Water Utility Response On-The-Go mobile website can be used to improve how water utilities respond to an incident.

A mobile website to consolidate, and make accessible from field, critical information and tools that water utility operators and their respon...

This tool leads water and wastewater utilities through a four-step process to help them understand flood risks and identify mitigation option...

This kit includes an infographic poster, mailers, video, web and print public service announcements about the value of water services.

EPA’s Exercise Development Toolbox (EDT) helps drinking water utilities prepare for responding to a drinking water contamination incident.

The guide from EPA summarizes some of the best practices, case studies, and tips shared at seven workshops held throughout the country.

The Guide addresses needs and resources for pedestrian facility maintenance.

This video highlights how drinking water and wastewater utilities ensure that millions of Americans have clean and safe water.

This interactive guide provides key resources for responding to drought emergencies and building long-term resilience.

This guide provides resources to transportation agencies about the risks that climate change poses and actions that can help reduce those ris...

A presentation detailing best practices from Climate Resilience Pilot programs around the country.

This guide provides transportation professionals and the public the wide range of potential applications of roundabout intersections.

This program provides grants and technical assistance to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields.

This resource from BMW Guggenheim Lab offers 100 contextualized definitions that apply to the way we understand, design, and live in cities.

Energy efficiency training on ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager and guidance on improving the energy performance of buildings and plants.

An online tool to measure and track building energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

A web-based self-evaluation tool comprised of voluntary sustainability best practices which cover the full lifecycle of transportation servic...

Provides cities with state-of-the-practice solutions that can help create complete streets that are safe and enjoyable for bicyclists.

An article about a global study of the size and cost of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Measures the core features and qualities of the built environment that affect health, especially walking, biking, and physical activity.

A report examining the economic consequences of delaying implementing policies to reduce the pace and ultimate magnitude of climate change

A website with smart growth tools, resources and technical assistance.

Re-invigorate and strengthen neighborhood centers of economy, culture, and history through a smart growth approach to development.

Interactive map that allows Baltimore organizations and individual residents to register and map their greening activities on vacant land.

Assembles guidelines, resources and tools that can help neighborhoods create and maintain green space from vacant lots.

A set of Fact Sheets developed to provide high-level technical information and requirements for Climate Resilient Mitigation Activities.

A website with tools, resources and technical assistance.

This toolkit aims to help municipal managers and decision-makers begin the process of implementing green infrastructure in their community.

A spreadsheet tool to help water and wastewater utilities evaluate their current and desired levels of performance.

Best practices and metrics used by water utilities to support each of the ten attributes of effectively managed water utilities.

Resources for water utility managers including tools, training, and technical assistance needed to adapt to climate change.

Topic-specific research areas that provide access to synthesized summary information and detailed reports on top water industry issues.

An open source spreadsheet designed to aid the industry in collecting consistent failure data.

Spreadsheet tool that works with the AWWA Free Water Audit Software to conduct leakage component analysis and others tasks.

A spreadsheet that works with the AWWA Free Water Audit Software to help agencies to easily aggregate and analyze large data sets.

A software audit program for water loss control in water utilities.

This report identifies the technical requirements and civil engineering challenges raised by adaptation to a changing climate.

A web-based mapping tool that helps communities understand their vulnerability from coastal hazards, reduce risk and find solutions.

This set of activities explores the relationship between weather and climate with students using local data to derive their own definitions.

Learn about sustainability in the urban context, incuding the challenges facing cities and the ecosystem services provided by nature.

In this video lesson, learn about the importance of water quality for human health and agriculture.

The National League of Cities report explores 14 communities and their experiments with a variety of community engagement efforts.

A simple tool for evaluation of social equity, environmental health and economic prosperity of a proposal or project.

This toolkit can help planners, public health professionals, and the general public include health in the community planning process.

EPA 2-pager on the use of green infrastructure. Includes examples from Milwaukee, New Jersey, Nashville, and Pima County, AZ.

A suite of design and development regulations that identify and remove permitting barriers for sustainable site design and green building.

Sustainability plan for the City of Palm Bay Florida.

A website highlighting best practices in planning for and implementing solar energy in a community.

A tool designed to evaluate emissions displaced at electric power plants by energy efficiency and renewable energy policies and programs.

A 2014 US Conference of Mayors survey of climate mitigation and adaptation action in 282 American cities.

A Toolkit to build adaptive capacity for sea level changes on Canada's south coast.

A plan to reduce risk and improve recovery for the next Cascadia Earthquake and Tsunami.

City of Albany, NY's Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan.

SITES is a sustainability-focused framework aimed at protecting ecosystems and enhancing the benefits they continuously provide.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a system focused on improving the performance of buildings from planning through operation.

STAR is a rating system, built by local governments, to assess community sustainability, set targets for moving forward, and track progress.

A video and associated lesson materials (grades 6-8) on the benefits of trees in an urban environment.

Louisville Metro Council Member Cheri Bryant Hamilton shows how planting trees is helping her city.

A resource of the Chicago Forward Action Agenda that defines a process to ensure streets and transportation infrastructure are sustainable.

A collection of online resources focused on creating and achieving a community livability vision. National Association of Regional Councils.

An overview of GHG emissions reduction strategies that address energy efficiency, transportation, solid waste, and renewable energy.

A climate change resiliency planning evaluation tool for New York State communities.

A community-wide climate change adaptation plan for the City of Keene, New Hampshire.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Community Action Guide to Climate Change and Emergency Preparedness

A flood resilience checklist to help communities prepare for a possible flood.

A case study on the City of Charlotte's energy efficient renovation of their historic City Hall.

A case study on how the Charlotte Police facility was designed and constructed under the City’s Policy for Sustainable City Facilities.