Environmental Science

Sustainability in Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a Great American City, one reason is due to its Sustainability culture. Here are just a few examples:
  • Cincinnati has been named #1 Metro Area for Sustainability by Site Selection Magazine two years in a row (2017, 2018)
  • The City of Cincinnati is currently constructing what will become the Nation's largest municipally owned solar array -- 25 MW of capacity once complete
  • 2030 District Membership - Facilitated by Green Umbrella, Cincinnati has committed to the 2030 District to further sustainable initiatives in the city in order to reduce water use, transportation emissions and energy use by 50% by the year 2030. Cincinnati's 22 members have already committed 180 buildings and over 20 million square feet with these goals in mind.
  • The Cincinnati Aggregation Program offers residents 100 percent green electricity, an abatement of approximately 250,000 tons (CO2 equivalent) per year, removed from Cincinnati's carbon footprint
  • The City has received international recognition for its accomplishments; Cincinnati participates at United Nations Climate Conferences, is a member of the Urban Transitions Alliance, and is heavily involved in the International Council on Local Environmental Affairs (ICLEI), among many others
  • Cincinnati Corporate Sustainability is a strong part of our success; we are home to the headquarters of 10 Fortune 500 companies, many of which have robust Sustainability programs
  • Green Umbrella, our regional sustainability alliance, brings citizens, professionals, teachers, students and others team together to promote sustainability across the region in action areas including energy, local food and outdoor recreation.
  • Home energy retrofits - the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance completed energy retrofits on more than 1,000 buildings across the region saving its clients more than $500,000 per year on energy bills
  • In 2012, the league of American bicyclists recognized Cincinnati as a bronze level bicycle friendly community.
  • The Greater Cincinnati Green Business Council, formed by key sustainability leaders from Cincinnati area corporations, seeks to "to inspire the business community to deliver a better social, economic and environmental future."
  • To learn more about sustainable efforts in Cincinnati, visit the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability and the Green Cincinnati Plan, which began in 2008 to help make Cincinnati a greener, healthier city.