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Paying for Green Government: Financing and Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
(February 28, 2008)

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Co-sponsored by the Local Government Training Program, in the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs at Western Carolina University

The workshop was designed for those involved in identifying, planning, financing and implementing local government sustainability programs and practices.

Jeff Hughes led a participatory workshop that focused on the finance and policy challenges that arise when local governments consider implementing green building, fuel efficiency, waste reduction and other sustainability initiatives.

The workshop addressed a number of questions and concerns:

What is it and why do it?
A discussion of typical sustainability initiatives, the rationale behind them and the objectives that drive local governments to consider them.

Where are you now and where might you be in the future?
Establishing baselines. Metrics, resources and models for quantifying the energy, environmental and financial impacts of current and potential local government practices.

Making the business case for sustainability.
Examination of cost analysis techniques for evaluating the financial, economic, social and environmental costs of sustainability measures. Is governmental accounting enough? Incorporating analyses into existing budgeting procedures.

Financing the big stuff.
Innovative methods of financing sustainability projects, e.g. carbon reduction credits, grants, commercial loans, guaranteed energy savings contracts, as well as internally generated funding mechanisms (capital reserves, pay as you go).

Questions?

Call or email Vickey Wade at (828) 227-3442.