Piedmont awarded for efforts to reduce climate change
Institute for Local Government honors city for strides made in sustainability and cutting greenhouse gas emissions
PIEDMONT >> Piedmont residents are trying out carbon-neutral induction cooktops and the City Council is working toward installing electric vehicle charging stations on Magnolia
Avenue through East Bay Community Energy.
For a small city, Piedmont has made great strides in sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, receiving 2021 Beacon Spotlight Awards from the Institute for Local Government.
“The city achieved a 30% reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions and a 12% reduction in agency greenhouse gas emissions from 2010 to 2019,” Piedmont sustainability program manager Alyssa Dykman said. “It was awarded for its actions that go above and beyond state mandates and the city’s creative solutions to addressing climate and sustainability. The speed and magnitude of climate change has increased exponentially.” In addition to awards for community and agency greenhouse gas reductions, the city also won for sustainability best practices. The grassroots group Piedmont Connect, founded in 2009, has bolstered the city’s efforts by hosting conservation events to educate and encourage residents to conserve water, household and vehicle emissions. In early October, Piedmont Connect
hosted a self-guided Fall Front Garden Tour of Piedmont front yard gardens featuring drought-tolerant and native plants. On Sept. 30, the group and the city hosted a virtual event, “Living with Drought,” that featured speakers on reducing water use, replenishing ground water and transforming their landscapes.
“City staff meets monthly with Connect to collaborate on projects and work towards a more environmentally friendly future,” Dykman said.
A new program started in April to loan out induction cooktops for residents to try has been well-received, with more than a dozen residents borrowing them with the compatible pots and pans, she said.
“Paired with East Bay Community Energy’s 100% renewable energy service plan, the cooktop is carbonneutral. The program has