Durham Named LEED GOLD for Sustainability Achievements
Durham is adding another accolade to its growing roster of sustainability accomplishments, which are designed to improve the quality of life for all who call the Bull City home.
The City of Durham and Durham County have jointly achieved LEED GOLD certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Cities and Communities rating system, making Durham the first multi-jurisdictional certified community in the United States and one of only 14 cities and counties to be certified this year. Durham is also now the second community in North Carolina to be certified LEED GOLD.
Durham achieved this certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at improving sustainability and quality of life for its residents.
LEED enables communities to measure and track key metrics that include energy, water, waste, transportation, prosperity, and equity. Notable Durham initiatives include:
Reducing its carbon footprint even as the local economy grows and its population increases.
Working to make neighborhoods more resilient to the effects of climate change by making homes more energy efficient, installing rain gardens, and planting trees.
Planning for climate change impacts to reduce the risk of increased heat waves, droughts, flooding, and wildfires.
Consistently providing clean, great tasting, and affordable tap water that meets or exceeds federal requirements.
Reducing waste going to the landfills by providing residential recycling services, yard waste pickup, and collection of electronic waste, tires, textiles, and household hazardous waste.
Having over 1,400 square feet of natural area per person with over 450 million square feet of trails, community gardens, forests, parks, and conservation land.
With this certification, Durham now joins a global network of more than 130 LEED certified cities and communities throughout the world.
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