Boulder County understands that Sustainability is a long-term goal that seeks to balance Environmental, Economic and Societal needs.
Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, policies and public engagement, the county's Sustainability goal is to make Boulder County a model for Environmental Integrity, Economic Vitality, and Social Equity.
Sustainability Mission
"To ensure that Boulder County's operations and decision-making processes reflect our deep commitment to Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability and to build partnerships to help make the broader community more sustainable."
Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
The concept of Sustainability is often referred to as "Triple Bottom Line" (TBL) accounting which aims to protect Environmental Integrity while enabling Economic Vitality and ensuring Social Equity for ourselves today and for the future.
A truly "sustainable" community goes far beyond basic energy efficiency and pollution reduction, it provides for all the needs of its inhabitants (people, wildlife and habitats). This includes:
- protecting open spaces, natural habitats and landscapes; ensuring access to basic human needs such as food, housing and health care; encouraging an active community involvement in social, political and community activities; and providing the every-day services that make daily tasks possible - services such as maintaining transportation routes and ensuring fair, accurate, democratic elections.
At the county, this requires careful collaboration and consideration towards:
- Energy and Climate: Conserve energy and utilize renewable energy sources towards the "New Economy" while addressing Climate Change
- Building and Housing: Planning for sustainable and affordable structures and homes.
- Ecosystems: Protection our Water, Land, and Air for the needs of its inhabitants.
- Food and Agriculture: Ensuring stable Food Systems.
- Society and Culture: Promoting an active community involved in social, political & community activities.
- Transportation: Maximize the efficiency (energy and use) of our alternative Transportation systems.
- Work and Livelihood: Equitable access to maintain a reasonable standard of living = highly skilled workforce; sufficient wages to meet basic needs & contribute to society; fair & affordable access to jobs, education, transportation, health care & other basic services.
- Zero Waste and Purchasing: Wise use of Natural and Economic resources (Waste reduction = Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Compost)
Read Actions
- Read the Actions the county has taken in committing to Sustainability, along with collaborative measures, and its structure.
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