Introduction
Sustainability involves making progress in the areas of environment, economy, and equity together. This page focuses on the environmental component of sustainability. A healthy environment is the foundation of our well-being, affecting quality of life for the District’s residents and natural inhabitants. By enhancing the built environment, addressing climate change, providing environmental education, using renewable sources of energy, increasing access to green space, protecting and restoring natural areas, enabling clean modes of transportation, reducing waste, and having healthy waterways, we create a thriving urban environment for all to enjoy.
DC’s Environmental Targets
The District has key environmental objectives that are measurable and have specific deadlines, known as targets. They were established through plans and/or legislation.
Short-term
- Net-zero energy new construction codes by 2026
Medium-term
- 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with District Government food and beverage procurement by 2030
- 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2006
- 25% of vehicles registered in the District to be zero-emissions by 2030
- Eliminate 100% of lead service lines in the District by 2030
Long-term
- 100% renewable electricity by 2032
- 50% reduction in per capita energy use by 2032
- 50% of energy from renewable sources by 2032
- 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by 2032
- 75% of commute trips by non-auto modes by 2032 (within this, 50% by public transit, 25% by biking and walking)
- 15% reduction in per capita waste generation by 2032
- 80% waste diversion citywide (diverted from landfill, incineration) by 2040
- 15% of electricity from local solar by 2041
- Carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2045
- 100% of public buses, public fleets, private fleets of more than 50 vehicles, to be zero-emissions by 2045, with 50% by 2030
Initiative Spotlight: Kingman Island and Heritage Island Development Project
The Department of Energy and Environment is working on The Kingman Island and Heritage Island Development Project with the support of Living Classrooms. The project seeks to preserve and enhance the once-neglected Kingman and Heritage Island sites into a natural oasis that supports environmental education and stewardship while also protecting the unique ecosystems that can be found on the island.
Take Action
Check out the Go Green page for actions you can take to improve the environment, including District programs to help you do so.
Related Plans