Chief Sustainability Officer Reports on 2022 Achievements
Released: December 12, 2022
During County Council's regularly scheduled meeting on December 7, the County’s Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke presented the 2022 Annual Sustainability Report, highlighting the new office's accomplishments this year. The Office of Sustainability, created in 2021, is responsible for operationalizing sustainability in an effort to reduce emissions that are causing the climate to change at an unprecedented rate. The office's work is done with the support of County Council, the Sustainability Commission, and community stakeholders.
"In only its second year, the Office of Sustainability quickly moved to translate plans to action to help create a stronger, cleaner, and safer environment for Delaware county residents, workers, and visitors," said Francine Locke, the County's Chief Sustainability Officer. "In 2023, we are going to build on this year's significant achievements to move toward truly sustainable, low-impact government operations."
With the guidance of the Office of Sustainability, Delaware County is incorporating sustainability into the County’s operations to reduce emissions from buildings, waste, and vehicle sources, and increase the amount of green space to absorb or offset carbon.
Among the many sustainability-related successes of the County this year are:
Hosting the inaugural Delaware County Sustainability Conference
Being awarded the 2022 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
Receiving the Alternative Fuel Leadership Award
Awarding of Green Ways Grant Round III, providing almost $5 million to local projects
Continued Master Plan Development for the former Don Guanella Site
In 2023, the County will complete the County's first Sustainability Plan, hold the 2nd Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference, publish a County-wide Zero Waste Plan and implement a pilot program to implement it.
"Delaware County is dedicated to making its operations more sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change and building amenities that make Delco a more attractive place to live and work," said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. "With the ongoing commitment of County Council and the leadership of the Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Commission, Delaware County will become a leader in the fight to reduce our impact on our environment and preserve it for future generations."
For more information about the Office of Sustainability and its goals and achievements, please visit https://delcopa.gov/sustainability/index.html
