The City of Dallas has passed the 2024 Bond Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) Resolution, aiming to advance environmental sustainability and resilience through the 2024 Bond Program. This initiative aligns with the CECAP’s targets, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% from 2015 levels and achieving 100% net-zero energy new construction by 2030.
The resolution details various tools, standards, and programs to enhance sustainability in infrastructure projects. This includes pursuing LEED™ Gold certification for building projects such as libraries, fire stations, and the police training academy. Additionally, it promotes green certification programs like Envision and SITES for non-building projects, including parks, trails, skateparks, and certain water infrastructure. The plan calls for energy-efficient appliances and equipment with a top 20% energy rating and mandates energy usage tracking through EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Dallas will also request embodied carbon data from vendors for materials like glass, steel, and concrete, making it one of the few municipalities in the country to do so. The resolution emphasizes supporting departments during implementation and providing regular updates to the City Council to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Today’s adoption of the CECAP Bond Resolution better ensures a more sustainable and resilient City as our climate continues to evolve,” stated Kathy Stewart, Chair of the Parks, Trails, and the Environment (PTE) Committee and District 10 Councilmember. “If we want to lead by example and protect the health of our residents, adopting these types of resolutions are necessary steps to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change through efforts like mitigating the urban heat island effect, and improving the quality of our environment.”
The resolution is expected to offer numerous environmental and climate benefits, including enhancing environmental quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting resource conservation. It also seeks to expand greenspaces, tree canopies, trail access, and renewable transportation options. The initiative underscores the City's commitment to environmental justice by promoting sustainability and resilience.
The successful adoption of this resolution results from collaborative efforts among City departments, the Environmental Commission, and external stakeholders. It supports existing policies, guidelines, and standards while introducing new programs and tools recommended by the Environmental Commission. The City’s Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, along with the Office of Bond and Construction Management, led the development of the resolution and its presentation to the Council.
“The commission’s recommendation was developed in collaboration with a panel of national and international experts on the built environment,” said Kathryn Bazan, Chair of the Environmental Commission and District 9 Environmental Commissioner. “The effort continues Dallas’ long-standing commitment to sustainable design, which began over 20 years ago, and ensures the continued advancement of our climate action plan well into the future.”
