City Celebrates Year of Sustainable Progress in 2022 Greenworks Review

The magazine style document was released at the City's Earth Day event at Cherry Street Pier

PHILADELPHIA - Mayor Jim Kenney, joined by Office of Sustainability Director Christine Knapp and community leaders, today released the 2022 Greenworks Review, the City's annual sustainability report. Reflecting on the last year and looking to the future, the magazine style document highlights the City's sustainability efforts and creative ways residents address important social and environmental issues.

"The stunning visual of seeing I-676 turned into a canal this past summer was a wake-up call to many residents in understanding just how disruptive climate events may become for Philadelphia. I'm proud of the progress that we've made over the past year to reduce carbon pollution and make our city more resilient," said Mayor Kenney.

The magazine describes a few of the most notable actions from the City over the past year:

• Launching the Philly Tree Plan, the City's first-ever strategic plan for the equitable growth and care of its urban forest
• Releasing Philadelphia's Municipal Clean Fleet Plan which lays out strategy to transition the City's fleet of around 6,000 vehicles to clean an electric vehicles
• Implementing the Plastic Bag Ban prohibiting businesses from using single-use plastic bags and non-recycled content paper bags
• Issuing the PGW Business Diversification Study to explore options for PGW to decarbonize in support of the City's carbon neutrality goal
• Increasing sustainability efforts at the Philadelphia International Airport, becoming one of only 20 airports in the country to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation

The City also celebrates the launch of the Environmental Justice Advisory Commission, which works to ensure that all residents of Philadelphia, regardless of race, gender, in-come status or ZIP code, have a livable community, free of environmental toxins and hazards.

"In Philadelphia, Black and brown communities and low-wealth residents are more at risk of being exposed to environmental burdens like increased heat or higher energy burden," said Director of the Office of Sustainability Christine Knapp. "I'm proud to see progress in addressing these disparities, including the launch of the City's first Environmental Justice Advisory Commission this year, and am looking forward to working with impacted communities to further this work in the year ahead."

The magazine also features ways to get connected to green jobs, City resources, and more. Through storytelling, infographics, and interviews, Greenworks Review provides a snapshot of the City's sustainability initiatives and the ways residents direct and support those initiatives.

"Greenworks has been central to outlining and tracking our City's commitment to addressing climate change and environmental justice, as well as informing Philadelphians about how they can take action at home," said Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (at-Large), Chair of Philadelphia City Council's Committee on the Environment. "I'm thrilled to join Mayor Kenney and the Office of Sustainability for an event recognizing the very real and ongoing ways our communities experience environmental injustices and the impacts of climate change."

Office of Sustainability Launches Eat Away at Food Waste Campaign:The Office of Sustainability has also launched this week the Eat Away at Food Waste campaign in honor of Earth Day and the Greenworks Review by sharing tips and resources for households and businesses to prevent and manage food waste. Members of the public can learn more by visiting the campaign table at the Earth Day/Greenworks Review Celebration and phila.gov/foodwaste.

The Office of Sustainability will be distributing the Greenworks Review to community groups and in various public areas, including Free Library branches. For a digital or print copy, visit www.phila.gov/green or email [email protected].

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About the Office of Sustainability:The Office of Sustainability (OOS) works with partners around the City to improve quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods, reduce the City's carbon emissions, and prepare Philadelphia for a hotter, wetter future. OOS is responsible for implementing Greenworks Philadelphia, the City's comprehensive sustainability plan. For more information, visit OOS web page.