Sustainability

Overview

The City of Shaker Heights is striving to become more sustainable and to help residents and businesses do the same. On this page, you'll learn more about some City initiatives, including our LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Looking for specific ways to live or work more sustainably in our community? Head over to our Sustainability Resources page.

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A LEED GOLD Certified Community

LEED 2021 GOLD graphicIn 2021, the City achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED for Cities and Communities program. The City is part of a growing group to be certified using the USGBC’s LEED for Cities and Communities rating system. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. 

In 2019, the City was selected to be part of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED for Cities and Communities Grant Program with funding from Bank of America, which enabled the City to pursue LEED certification.

LEED Gold certification means the City has met certain requirements across six LEED credit categories: Natural Systems and Ecology, Transportation and Land Use, Water Efficiency, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Materials and Resources and Quality of Life. The LEED certification process not only provided the City with a baseline for how well it’s done in these six areas, but has also helped the City create a road map for continuous progress going forward. 

Sustainability Committee

In 2014, Mayor Earl Leiken created the Sustainable Shaker Task Force. In 2019, Mayor David Weiss elevated this Task Force to an official City Council committee. The Sustainability Committee is currently chaired by Council member Anne Williams. Areas of focus include energy, storm water management, recycling, transit, and building efficiency. 

The Sustainability Committee meets monthly and residents are encouraged to get involved. Get in touch with committee members, view agendas and minutes from past meetings, or check the City’s Public Meetings calendar for upcoming Sustainability Committee meetings.

There are several subcommittees residents can get involved with, including the Energy Subcommittee. Residents interested in joining the Energy Subcommittee can email coordinator Norman Robbins. Please explain any special interest or background you may have.

Green Team  

The City’s new internal Green Team, established in summer 2019, brings together staff from the City to identify areas for improvement and help implement sustainable practices across City departments.

Stay up to date with the City’s sustainability efforts by subscribing to City ENews or following the City on Facebook. View sustainability resources.

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