Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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A staff green team, or small working group (e.g., city manager, council member, citizen commission chair) exists; city participation in a multi-city/regional green team; annual news article/media to community members referencing GreenStep (& other programs as relevant); city website has a link to city's GreenStep web page and summary of sustainability initiatives. Report city Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or Human Rights Commissions under BPA 24.7. |
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A community group, city task force/commission or committee of city staff/officials exists to lead and coordinate sustainability/GreenStep implementation; city has a dedicated sustainability position on city staff that works with the staff and/or community green team/commission. Report annual environmental/sustainability reports to city council under BPA 24.3. |
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A joint committee of city staff/officials and community members (business, education, religious, etc.) exists and meets regularly; community members on the committee represent the community’s racial, economic, abilities, and other diverse representation. |
Resources
- Many GreenStep cities use an existing group, such as a city environmental commission or an existing civic group, as their GreenStep implementation or "green" team. See examples of green teams and commissions on the Minnesota Sustainability Index.
- Those forming a new committee to lead, coordinate and report on the implementation of GreenStep best practices may find these tips for creating and maintaining successful green teams useful, as well as a PowerPoint on commission formation, the Organizing Guide from GreenStep, and "Forming a Team" in the Sustainability Planning Toolkit (ICLEI, 2009)
- The GreenStep Green Team Work Plans cover tips for creating and maintaining successful green teams and much more: case studies, testimonials, and step-by-step guidance on how Green Teams might move forward on:
- Empower you environmental/sustainability committees to be more effective at making your city more sustainable, resilient, and equitable by advocating for an environmental focus throughout the city’s development review process by using the Addressing the Sustainability Gap in the Development Review Process (GSC and Michael Orange, 2021). The guide has 8 main sections: climate change future - a call to action; the third “E” in Sustainability - equity, and climate refugees; environmental advocacy and the development review process; Minnesota programs for local governments; municipal development code; 2 case studies; and resources.
- The City of Bloomington’s Sustainability Commission - meets annually with their City Council to review progress achieved over the last year and to receive feedback and suggestions from Council Members for their proposed annual work plan for the year to come.
- The University of Minnesota Morris and the surrounding community created the “MN Morris Model” to work on sustainability, resilience, and climate change.
- Cities interested in using a college student intern to assist with one or more tasks - joining the GreenStep program, creating a green team, reporting on GreenStep actions completed, and working on new actions - should approach their local educational institution and use the GreenStep Intern Manual. Cities that need help in connecting with a local post-secondary school should contact their regional CERTs director. Some cities have worked with a local high school, whose students often can assist a city under a school-required service learning agreement.
- The MN Association for Volunteer Administration has trainings and other resources to help a city engage citizens through the use of volunteers.
- The Blandin Community Leadership Program trains leaders from rural Minnesota communities.
- The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all.
- See the International City and County Managers Association (ICMA) Sustainability Through an Equity Lens, an Introduction (2021), and Governing for Equity: implementing an equity lens in local governments (2020).
- Join the Intercultural Cities Programme- an entry point for assessing diversity and awareness on human rights in your community. You can start with the Intercultural Citizenship Test.
- See the University of Minnesota Extension Creating a Welcoming Community: A Toolkit to Support Immigrants, Refugees, and BIPOC.
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