The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators of the LEED green building rating system, announced the City of Sarasota is among 20 new cities and counties selected to participate in the 2020 LEED for Cities and Communities Grant Program. The program helps local governments committed to accelerating progress on climate change, resilience and social equity planning, measure and track performance using LEED. Cities and counties participating in the 2020 program receive access to education resources and technical support as they pursue LEED certification. The City of Sarasota has a long history of ambitious sustainability efforts, such as its Ready for 100 effort and commitment to 100 percent renewable energy community-wide by 2045 and for City operations by 2030. This LEED certification will improve the City’s ability to understand its sustainability performance and use data-driven metrics to strategically invest in improvements. 

“The City of Sarasota has already earned its reputation statewide as a leader in sustainability efforts,” said City Manager Tom Barwin. “Our selection for this forward-thinking program only further establishes our national standing as a community that is at the forefront of striving to meet the environmental challenges of the present and preparing for a sustainable future.” LEED for Cities and Communities gives planners, developers and local governments – large or small – a framework for implementing strategies to address energy, water, waste, pollution and carbon, and takes into account social and economic indicators, including health, equity, education and prosperity. Through LEED, local leaders hone metrics around initiatives; benchmark performance relative to peers; and communicate to and educate stakeholders on progress. More than 100 cities and communities around the world have already achieved LEED certification.

To learn more about Sarasota’s sustainability goals and progress, visit sarasotaFL.gov/sustainability.