Brighton’s new Sustainability Board seeks members – Colorado Community Media

Brighton’s new Sustainability Board seeks members – Colorado Community Media

Brighton’s new Sustainability Board seeks members - Colorado Community Media

Establishment of Brighton Sustainability Advisory Board

The Brighton City Council has unanimously voted to establish a Sustainability Advisory Board aimed at advancing the city’s sustainability initiatives. This development aligns with the city’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).

Purpose and Objectives

The Sustainability Advisory Board is designed to focus on key sustainability areas including:

  1. City energy use and energy efficiency (SDG 7)
  2. Water conservation (SDG 6)
  3. Solid waste management and waste diversion (SDG 12)
  4. Sustainable mobility and transportation (SDG 11)
  5. Air quality improvement (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)
  6. Community engagement and public health (SDG 3 and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)
  7. Resiliency and climate action (SDG 13)

Community Engagement and Participation

Traci McLean, the City of Brighton’s Sustainability Coordinator, emphasized the importance of community involvement:

“Community engagement is at the heart of the sustainability work we do here in the City of Brighton, so the formation of this board is a natural step to advance this commitment.”

The board will ensure that sustainability goals are ambitious yet achievable, targeting the specific needs of the community while fostering broad participation and support.

Board Composition and Application Process

The Sustainability Advisory Board will consist of residents, experts, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. The city encourages applications from individuals with expertise or interest in:

  • Environmental science
  • Business
  • Education
  • Related sustainability fields

The board members will develop workplans that evolve with community needs, providing opportunities to engage in a wide variety of sustainability focus areas aligned with the Brighton 2024 Sustainability Plan.

Strategic Role and Future Meetings

The board will provide strategic recommendations on policies, programs, and initiatives that support the Brighton Sustainability Plan’s objectives. The first meeting is anticipated to occur later this year.

How to Apply

Individuals interested in contributing to Brighton’s sustainable development efforts and supporting the SDGs through this advisory board are invited to apply. For more information and application details, please visit:

brightonco.gov/3062/sustainability

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

  1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article discusses water conservation efforts in the city of Brighton.
  2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Energy efficiency is a key commitment in Brighton’s sustainability plan.
  3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The formation of the Sustainability Advisory Board aims to enhance quality of life through sustainable mobility, waste diversion, and community engagement.
  4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Waste diversion and solid waste management are highlighted as focus areas.
  5. SDG 13: Climate Action – The board’s focus on air quality, resiliency, and sustainability efforts relates to climate action.
  6. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Public health is mentioned as a key focus area in the sustainability plan.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

  1. SDG 6 Targets:
    • 6.4 – Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.
    • 6.3 – Improve water quality by reducing pollution.
  2. SDG 7 Targets:
    • 7.3 – Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
  3. SDG 11 Targets:
    • 11.2 – Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems.
    • 11.6 – Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including waste management.
  4. SDG 12 Targets:
    • 12.5 – Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
  5. SDG 13 Targets:
    • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
  6. SDG 3 Targets:
    • 3.9 – Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

  1. Water Conservation Indicators:
    • Measurement of water use efficiency and reduction in water consumption.
  2. Energy Efficiency Indicators:
    • Tracking energy consumption rates and improvements in energy efficiency.
  3. Waste Diversion Indicators:
    • Percentage of solid waste diverted from landfills through recycling and reuse programs.
  4. Air Quality Indicators:
    • Levels of air pollutants and improvements in air quality measurements.
  5. Community Engagement Indicators:
    • Number of community members participating in sustainability initiatives and advisory board activities.
  6. Public Health Indicators:
    • Incidence rates of illnesses related to environmental factors such as pollution.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • 6.4 – Increase water-use efficiency
  • 6.3 – Improve water quality
  • Water use efficiency metrics
  • Water consumption reduction rates
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • 7.3 – Improve energy efficiency
  • Energy consumption tracking
  • Energy efficiency improvement rates
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 11.2 – Sustainable transport systems
  • 11.6 – Reduce environmental impact of cities
  • Access to sustainable transport metrics
  • Waste management and reduction statistics
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • 12.5 – Reduce waste generation
  • Percentage of waste diverted from landfill
  • Recycling and reuse rates
SDG 13: Climate Action
  • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience to climate hazards
  • Air quality measurements
  • Resiliency program outcomes
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • 3.9 – Reduce illnesses from pollution
  • Incidence rates of pollution-related illnesses

Source: coloradocommunitymedia.com