NEWS

Town Plans Further Sustainability Initiatives

The Town of Davidson was recently recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achieving LEED Silver certification. Following the April 27 award ceremony, staff presented results of the multi-year, interdepartmental effort to the Davidson Board of Commissioners at the public meeting held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

The Town of Davidson is part of a growing number of localities to be certified using the LEED for Cities rating system. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was created by USGBC and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. LEED for Cities enables towns, cities, and counties to measure and track outcomes that are evaluated against key metrics that include energy, water, waste, transportation, education, health, safety, prosperity, and equitability.

Davidson’s legacy of thoughtful planning, intentional civic engagement, and environmental stewardship formed the foundation of its certification award. For example, the Town’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory undertaken in 2022 surveyed community-wide emissions across different areas, earning the maximum fourteen points available for the associated credit. The inventory showed the extent to which sectors such as buildings, transportation, and solid waste generate emissions. Exercises such as these represent important tools that help the community both understand the impacts of current choices and inform future policy decisions.

“Davidson is proud to be among five other communities in North Carolina and 140 local governments globally that have achieved LEED for Cities certification,” said Town Parks and Recreation Program Manager Charlene Minor. This award recognizes a multi-year effort undertaken by the Town and, in turn, the knowledge gained facilitated integration of LEED principles into Davidson’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan (CAP). Staff shared lessons learned from the certification process and synergies between the LEED program and the CAP.

“LEED for Cities will be an important tool that will help us accelerate progress with the sustainability initiatives included within our Climate Action Plan,” said Town Sustainability Manager Kayla Kovach. “The Town of Davidson’s achievement of LEED Silver certification shows the Town’s dedication to the advancement of a sustainable and resilient community.”

For additional information about the Town’s sustainability efforts and to view the Climate Action Plan, please see the Town of Davidson’s Sustainability website or email the Davidson Parks & Recreation Department .

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About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated to create thriving, healthy, equitable and resilient places that advance human and environmental wellbeing. USGBC leads market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit the website and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.