Committee On The Environment

Our Mission
In a word, The 2030 Global Challenge. Our first goal will be to move the work of the VSAIA managed Committee already in existence at the City level and create an organizing body outside the City government to work with them to direct the Challenge implementation. Along with scheduling timelines and moving toward meeting challenges already proposed, the Richmond COTE will provide tools to all stakeholders to assist in the transition to a carbon neutral economy in the City of Richmond. The methodology developed during this process with be directly transferable to other localities in the Region as well as the Commonwealth.

For more information, contact Scott Kyle or Michael Pellis at cote@aiaric.org

Dear Green Drinks COTE attendees (and other folks on the email list):

You all braved the bad weather and showed such enthusiasm, we didn't want you to think we had forgotten.  And we wanted to give you a chance to focus your talents on a specific initiative. So we hashed out the list below. Keep in mind that all of these initiatives are specifically related to the Richmond 2030 Challenge, as noted at our public meeting at Green Drinks two weeks ago. The goal is to aid the City in achieving these initiatives. They are in no specific order.

Master Plan Coordination (Influence decision making and planning toward sustainable strategies. See the Master Plan draft)

Green Czar Hiring (See Sadhu Johnston at the City of Chicago)

Online Measurement/Resource Tool Development (See Albuquerque's Q Tool or Chicago's Cool Tool)

Practitioner's Tool (See Kansas City tool)

Baseline Measurements Team (See ICLEI - International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives)

Programs (Education, Exhibit, Case Studies, and Building Tours)

Green Business Incubation and Outreach (Help the City help the community by encouraging new green businesses to support existing and new programs)

Pilot Programs (Develop structure and implementation plan for pilot applications, i.e. green alleys)

City Department Advocacy (Meet with all City departments)

Secretary (to check progress on each group's initiative)

If you had to pick one or two of these to work on, which would you choose? 

Ok, go to our Doodle tool now (or before Friday) to put your name in the hat and we'll let you know the next step early next week.

Like we said, this is a group all about action. We're going to move forward quickly with your help. After all, we literally don't have much time. As Ray Anderson (CEO of Interface flooring) likes to say, "the best way to have good new ideas is to stop having the old bad ideas."

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASM. LET'S KEEP IT GOING!

Some folks may receive multiple emails - sorry. We're working through our multiple lists to make sure that we reach all who have expressed an interest in the COTE. 

To be removed from the Richmond COTE email list click here and then send.

To sign up for the Green Drinks email list  go here. To sign up for the JRGBC mailing list go here.