Sustainable CT Actions
Sustainable CT actions are designed with flexibility to meet the varying needs of all municipalities. Each action description below includes benefit icons, action steps, certification points, and resources. Complete one action in categories 1-12 to be eligible for Bronze or Silver certification. Many actions have variable points, which means there are several ways to complete the action. Achieve any one of the designated point levels within an action to consider it complete.
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1. Inclusive and Equitable Community Impacts
- Action “Optimize for Equity” is a required action in this category.
1.1 Optimize for Equity — REQUIRED
- This action has variable points: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
1.2 Participate in Equity Training
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
1.3 Develop and Adopt a Statement on Equity
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
2. Thriving Local Economies
2.1 Support Redevelopment of Brownfield Sites
- This action has variable points: 5 — 90
2.2 Implement Sustainable Purchasing
- This action has variable points: 5 — 45
2.3 Inventory and Promote Local Products and Services
- This action has variable points: 5 — 30
2.4 Provide Resources and Supports to Local Businesses
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20
2.5 Promote Sustainable Workforce Development
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
2.6 Participate in and Promote the C-PACE Program
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
3. Well-Stewarded Land and Natural Resources
3.1 Provide Watershed Education
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
3.2 Create a Watershed Management Plan
- This action has variable points: 10, 20, 30
3.3 Engage in Watershed Protection and Restoration
- This action has variable points: 15, 30, 45
3.4 Develop an Open Space Plan
- This action has variable points: 5 — 60
3.5 Create a Natural Resource and Wildlife Inventory
- This action has variable points: 10, 20
3.6 Manage for Drought and Municipal Water Use
- This action has variable points: 10, 20
3.7 Provide Education on Responsible Water Usage
3.8 Implement Low Impact Development
- This action has variable points: 5 — 105
3.9 Manage Woodlands and Urban Forests
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
3.10 Facilitate Invasive Species Education and Management
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20
3.11 Implement Green Grounds and Maintenance Program
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
3.12 Enhance Pollinator Pathways
- This action has variable points: 5 — 40
3.13 Promote Dark Skies
- This action has variable points: 5, 15, 20, 30, 35
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
4. Vibrant and Creative Cultural Ecosystems
4.1 Map Tourism and Cultural Assets
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
4.2 Support Arts and Creative Culture
- This action has variable points: 10, 15, 20, 25
4.3 Develop a Creative Placemaking Plan
- This action has variable points: 10, 15
4.4 Provide an Arts and Culture Program for Youth
- This action has variable points: 20, 25
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
5. Dynamic and Resilient Planning
5.1 Integrate Sustainability into Plan of Conservation and Development
- This action has variable points: 5 — 60
5.2 Adapt Permitting Process to Promote Sustainable Development
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15, 20
5.3 Develop Agriculture-Friendly Practices
- This action has variable points: 5 — 35
5.4 Assess Climate Vulnerability
- This action has variable points: 5 — 35
5.5 Inventory and Assess Historic Resources
- This action has variable points: 5 — 55
5.6 Streamline Solar Permitting for Small Solar Installations
- This action has variable points: 10, 20
5.7 Plan for Long-Term Recovery
- This action has variable points: 5, 15
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
6. Clean and Diverse Transportation Systems and Choices
6.1 Implement Complete Streets
- This action has variable points: 5 — 80
6.2 Promote Effective Parking Management
- This action has variable points: 10 — 45
6.3 Encourage Smart Commuting
- This action has variable points: 10, 15
6.4 Support Zero Emission Vehicle Deployment
- This action has variable points: 5 — 45
6.5 Promote Public Transit and Other Mobility Strategies
- This action has variable points: 5 — 55
6.6 Manage Municipal Fleets
- This action has variable points: 5, 20, 25
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
7. Renewable and Efficient Energy Infrastructure and Operations
7.1 Benchmark and Track Energy Use
- This action has variable points: 5, 10
7.2 Reduce Energy Use Across All Municipal Buildings
- This action has variable points: 10 — 200
7.3 Achieve High Energy Performance for Individual Buildings
- This action has variable points: 5 — 140
7.4 Increase Use of Renewable Energy in Municipal Buildings
- This action has variable points: 10 — 100
7.5 Develop a Municipal Energy Plan
- This action has variable points: 10, 20
7.6 Install Efficient Exterior Lighting
- This action has variable points: 5 — 40
7.7 Implement a Community Energy Campaign
- This action has variable points: 10, 15
7.8 Benchmark Energy and Water Use for Multifamily Housing
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
8. Inclusive Engagement, Communication and Education
8.1 Hold a Sustainability Event
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
8.2 Provide Effective Community Communications
8.3 Train Municipal Representatives
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
8.4 Support Community Match Fund (CMF) Project and Civic Engagement
- This action has variable points: 5 — 30
8.5 Collaborate With Other Municipalities
- This action has variable points: 5 — 30
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
9. Strategic Materials Management
9.1 Report Materials Management Data and Reduce Waste
- This action has variable points: 5 — 105
9.2 Implement Unit-Based Pricing
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 20, 25, 30
9.3 Recycle Additional Materials and Compost Organics
- This action has variable points: 10, 20, 30, 40
9.4 Develop a Food Waste Prevention Campaign or Food Scraps Recovery Campaign or Program
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
10. Optimal Health and Wellness Opportunities
10.1 Encourage Healthy and Sustainable Food Networks
- This action has variable points: 10 — 35
10.2 Conduct Health Impact Assessments
- This action has variable points: 5, 20, 25
10.3 Improve Air Quality in Public Spaces
- This action has variable points: 10 — 45
10.4 Develop and Promote Community Growing Spaces
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
11. Healthy, Efficient and Diverse Housing
11.1 Design and Implement an Affordable Housing Plan
- This action has variable points: 5 — 55
11.2 Grow Sustainable and Affordable Housing Options
- This action has variable points: 10 — 60
11.3 Implement Policy for Sustainable, Diverse Housing Options
- This action has variable points: 20, 40, 60
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
12. Effective, Compassionate Homelessness Prevention
- Actions in this category will be required to achieve Bronze or Silver Sustainable CT certification beginning in 2022.
12.1 Strengthen Municipal Workforce Capacity to Address Homelessness
- This action has variable points: 5 — 30
12.2 Increase Public Awareness and Support for Efforts to End Homelessness
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
12.3 Collect and Share Homelessness Data
12.4 Provide or Mobilize Resources to Address Homelessness
- This action has variable points: 5, 10, 15
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
13. Innovative Strategies and Practices
- You do not need to complete the action in this category to achieve Bronze or Silver Sustainable CT certification.
13.1 Implement Your Own Sustainability Action
- This action has variable points: 5 — 40
No actions in this category match the search criteria.