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Environment

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The City of Highland Park is proactively striving to become an even greener and more sustainable community. Each City department has made great efforts to improve its operations and provide high-quality services and information that enrich the fabric of the community. 
 

Sustainable Strategic Plan
The City's Sustainability Strategic Plan is a 5-year plan (2023 - 2027) with measurable goals that provide direction in specific goal areas. The plan also includes actions and additional considerations that provide a baseline for the City's current sustainability practices.  

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions Goal
In 2019, the City joined the Mayor’s Compact for Climate and Energy and pledged a greenhouse gas reduction target of 5% by 2023 Citywide. As part of joining the Compact, the City was required to establish a baseline for its current greenhouse gas emissions. Based on the analysis, the following quick data facts highlight the City’s leadership in sustainability initiatives and also identify the impacts that a 5% greenhouse gas reduction has on the environment:

• In Highland Park, the GHG emissions per resident are 40% lower than the national average.
• Highland Park households generate 50% less refuse than the national average.
• Highland Park households recycle 20% more waste than the national average.
• City government reduced electrical use by 5% between 2016 and 2018.
• City fleet emissions are down 15% since the baseline (2018 vs. 2014-2016 average).
• Reducing emissions from all sources in Highland Park by 5% would be the equivalent of…
  • Taking 3,300 cars off the road.
  • Powering 1,800 homes for one year.
  • Consuming 36,000 barrels of oil.
  • Burning 85 rail cars of coal.
  • Carbon sequestered by 18,000 acres of forests.
Emission Reduction Strategies
• Increase energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
• Decrease landfill waste, increase recycling rate, increase organic waste diversion.
• Decrease vehicle miles traveled, increase walking, biking, and public transportation.


2019 City of Highland Park GHG Report

EPA Climate Change Information