AUGUST 2018

Hello Friends and Partners...
Last week the Trump administration proposed a rollback of vehicle fuel efficiency standards along with taking aim at California's ability to set more stringent standards for vehicles sold in CA. While the move was widely expected, it was a reminder of how much power the fossil fuel industry still wields. Seattle is not alone in fighting this proposed rule change. Hundred s of cities and dozens of states have already chimed in voicing their outrage and condemning this rollback - please join us in continuing to resist efforts to remove our environmental protections.
Jessica Finn Coven, Director
Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment
KEY SUSTAINABILITY UPDATES
Seattle One of Six Cities Selected for Connect Capital
Connect Capital is an initiative of Center for Community Investment that is centered on equity and assists communities in attracting and deploying capital at scale to address their needs. The Seattle project is aimed fostering community resilience by reducing  the impact of climate change on neighbors and workers at risk of displacement in the Duwamish Valley, creating community health and equity based solutions, and leveraging and maximizing opportunities to deliver multiple benefits. More info here. 
Still Time to Claim Your Free Tree(s)!
We all know that trees are critical to the health of our community. They clean our air and water, stabilize our soils, make our streets more walkable and our neighborhoods healthier. But did you know that Seattle residents can get up to four FREE trees from Seattle's Trees for Neighborhoods program? Deadline to apply is August 13 but the application takes less than 5 minutes. More info here. 
New Building Programs to Reduce Seattle's Climate Impact
Seattle's buildings produce about one-third of our climate emissions. Reducing these emissions are critical in achieving our goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050. To help achieve that goal the City updated the Seattle Living Building Challenge Pilot and developed the new 2030 Challenge Pilot. The Living Building Pilot can be used for new and existing buildings and the 2030 Challenge Pilot is focused on existing buildings. Both pilots went into effect August 1. More information on these programs.

The Office of Sustainability & Environment collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders to develop innovative environmental solutions that foster equitable, vibrant communities and shared prosperity.