Deep River Achieves Bronze-level Sustainable CT Certification!
With much gratitude for their efforts to the members of the Deep River Sustainable CT Committee, Deep River has achieved bronze-level certification in Connecticut's statewide Sustainable CT program. Read below or click here for the press release and to find out more about Sustainable CT:
24 Communities Achieve Prestigious
Sustainable CT Certification,
Five Towns Honored as Climate Leaders
STORRS, CT, October 31, 2022 –Sustainable CT, a statewide, voluntary certification program that supports sustainability best practices in Connecticut municipalities, announced an impressive list of 2022 certified communities and an inaugural cohort of Climate Leaders this week.
Twenty-four municipalities earned 2022 Sustainable CT certification. The following towns met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments to qualify for bronze-level certification: Ashford, Cheshire, Deep River, East Haddam, East Lyme, Goshen, Lyme, New London, Rocky Hill, Southbury, Stonington, Torrington, Waterford, West Haven, and Windsor. Towns that achieved silver-level certification, the highest level of certification currently offered by Sustainable CT, are Coventry, Darien, Essex, Guilford, Manchester, Mansfield, New Haven, Vernon, and Wilton.
In addition, Sustainable CT awarded its first-ever Climate Leader designations this fall. The program was piloted in 2022 to support the acceleration of municipal actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. Through successful implementation of multiple climate actions, five towns earned distinction as the first cohort of Sustainable CT Climate Leaders: Fairfield, Glastonbury, New Britain, Stratford, and West Hartford.
Sustainable CT offers support to help towns implement actions that build community connection, social equity, and long-term resilience. Certified communities demonstrated significant achievements in at least twelve sustainability impact areas, ranging from thriving local economies and vibrant arts and culture to clean transportation and affordable housing. In addition, certified municipalities addressed issues of equity and inclusion when implementing sustainability actions.
“Congratulations to our first-ever Sustainable CT Climate Leaders and our 2022 certified communities,” said Lynn Stoddard, executive director of Sustainable CT. “We are inspired by the leadership and commitment of these communities. From elected officials and town staff to resident volunteers, these certified towns and Climate Leaders are improving opportunities and the quality of life for all.”
“We are thrilled to recognize additional communities that are using the Sustainable CT framework to build long-term resilience to climate change,” said Bryan Garcia, co-chair of Sustainable CT and president and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “Our support for equitable communities, affordable housing, clean and efficient transportation and energy, and resilient and accessible food systems, helps to strengthen and unify our communities faced with the impacts of climate change and its effect on our economy.”
Sustainable CT is celebrating its fifth anniversary this November and has seen strong momentum and growth as a valuable, high-impact program. One-hundred twenty-nine municipalities are participating in this free program, representing nearly 90% of the state’s population. Collectively, sixty-two municipalities, nearly 37% of the state’s communities, have earned Sustainable CT certification. Certification lasts for three years, with submissions rigorously evaluated by independent experts and other Sustainable CT partners.
All 2022 certified communities and Climate Leader award recipients will be recognized this year at Sustainable CT’s Awards Celebration being held at the West Hartford Town Hall on Monday, November 14, from 3–6 p.m. For more information about this, visit sustainablect.org/celebration.
Sustainable CT is independently funded, with strong multi-year support from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Hampshire Foundation, Connecticut Green Bank, Common Sense Fund, and the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.
For more information, visit www.sustainablect.org.
About Sustainable CT
Sustainable CT is a free, voluntary certification program that supports and recognizes thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities. An independently funded, grassroots, municipal effort, Sustainable CT provides a wide-ranging menu of best practices. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them, and earn points toward certification.
Sustainable CT also provides opportunities for grant funding through its Community Match Fund program to help communities promote economic well-being and enhance equity, all while respecting the finite capacity of the natural environment. The program is designed to support all Connecticut municipalities, regardless of size, geography, or resources. Sustainable CT empowers municipalities to create high collective impact for current and future residents.