OPINION: ABQ ensuring inclusivity and equity in more sustainable future

On April 22, 1970, the nation celebrated its first Earth Day event, giving birth to the modern environmental movement. More than 50 years later, we continue to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, but this year it was perhaps with more urgency.

In New Mexico, we’ve felt firsthand the effects of a changing climate including hotter than average summers, drought, and severe wildfires that remind us every day of the importance of environmental stewardship. It is for this reason that the Keller administration established the Office of Sustainability, to guide us to a greener future.

In its first six years, the Office of Sustainability has worked hand in hand with our community to develop a multifaceted, realistic approach to climate mitigation. Last year, we started an innovative food scrap pilot project to address food waste, the largest cause of methane emissions from our landfills.

This initiative channels food scraps from two sites — the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Senior Affairs CASA Kitchen and the concession at Explora — into nature’s own recycling system. Through a partnership with local hauler Little Green Bucket and Soilutions, these compostable materials are transformed into nutrient-rich material for soil to nourish our arid land.

We’re taking advantage of the Duke City’s abundant sunshine by installing over 38 rooftop solar units on existing infrastructure, earning us national attention and recognition in the top 4 for large cities in the U.S. for most installed solar per capita by Environment America’s Shining Cities report.

Rooftop solar, building energy efficiency upgrades, and the installation of Solar Direct put us at 80% renewable energy use for municipal operations, and on track for our goal of 100% by 2025.

But it doesn’t stop there. Albuquerque is pushing the boundaries of sustainability with programs like the Affordable Mobility Project. This groundbreaking initiative is the first of its kind in the state to enable access to electric vehicles by offering car-sharing options to qualifying residents.

As outlined in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, we’re keeping equity in the driver’s seat by reducing the hourly rate for lower-income residents and placing the first of these resources at the PAH Hiland Plaza affordable housing complex.

We’re also investing in infrastructure for the future. We have funding for 36 new electric vehicle charging stations, we are growing our tree canopy, implementing green stormwater infrastructure, and employing other eco-friendly solutions.

But perhaps most importantly, we’re guiding our work based on community needs. By working with residents, we’re ensuring that our efforts are inclusive, equitable, and truly represent the needs of our diverse city.

This is especially true of our frontline communities who are most impacted by climate change. We’re supporting access to energy efficiency upgrades so that they don’t bear a disproportionate energy burden. Through a partnership with Prosperity Works, the Community Energy Efficiency Project has provided energy efficiency improvements to 800 residences since 2020.

Together, we have set a new standard for environmental stewardship. We see more families installing rooftop solar, switching away from fossil-fuels, and planting trees. This work is impactful, but the fight against climate change is far from over.

Albuquerque isn’t resting on its laurels; we’re just getting started. Together, we can build a more sustainable, resilient future for generations to come. For ways you can be an environmental steward see cabq.gov/sustainability.