WESTPORT — Town government has been awarded a “silver” award, but it’s about going “green” — and beyond.
Westport is one of 23 communities around the state selected to receive certification this year from Sustainable CT, which recognizes that officials and community organizations “met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments …,” according to an announcement from First Selectman Jim Marpe.
The silver certification given to Westport is Sustainable CT’s highest recognition.
The lengthy “Community Certification Report” on Westport, which is the basis for the organization’s citation, can be viewed here.
The criteria range from local government actions to “develop and adopt a statement on equity” and “equity training” for officials to “well-stewarded land and natural resources,” providing “resources and support to local businesses” and “thriving local economies,” as well as support for transportation, housing and arts and culture.
Each community’s submission is “rigorously evaluated by independent experts and other Sustainable CT partners,” the organization says.
“I am very pleased that Westport was able to achieve the Sustainable CT Silver Level award after receiving Bronze in 2018,” Marpe said in a statement announcing the award.
The first selectman also acknowledged what he called the “tireless and ongoing support from Sustainable Westport and Earthplace.”
The two local organizations’ focus on “programs and forums on sustainability, such as the Zero Food Waste Challenge and home-efficiency audits … are pivotal in the movement toward achieving our goal of Net Zero by 2050,” Marpe said.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the residents of Westport, who have taken on the challenges, great and small, to become involved in the growing movement to protect our environment for future generations,” he added.
There are 125 municipalities registered in the Sustainable CT program, representing 86 percent of the state’s population, the group says. Sixty-four municipalities have earned Sustainable CT certifications, which last three years.
Sustainable CT is financially supported by three founding funders, the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Smart Seed Fund and the Common Sense Fund, the group reports. Additional support is provided by the Connecticut Green Bank, as well as community foundations and other sponsors.
For more information, visit the Sustainable CT website.
Westport is actually one of 12 SILVER recipients in the entire state (the other 13 were bronze). We are very excited to continue to build on this momentum and encourage more sustainable practices into the homes and businesses of Westport!