ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) in partnership with the Virginia Municipal League’s (VML) Go Green Virginia initiative announced this week the selection of four communities to participate in Virginia’s Green Community Challenge. 

The Green Community Challenge is a friendly competition among Virginia communities to develop specific environmental policies and implement practical actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address local sustainability. The Town of Blacksburg, Loudoun County, City of Norfolk, and City of Roanoke will participate.

Each community was chosen for their continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing sustainable communities. They have previously received certification in the Green Government Challenge, a highly successful initiative developed in 2009, which provided the guidance and expertise necessary to build the Green Community Challenge.

“Friendly competition can bring out the best among communities and we are excited to join VML in what will be an incredibly rewarding and valuable experience for cities, counties and residents in Virginia,” said Martin Chavez, Executive Director, ICLEI USA.

There are 40 actions included in the Challenge. Some of the activities that the pilot communities can undertake include:

• Developing community-wide climate preparedness strategies
• Organizing at least two public art events that promote sustainability
• Participating in at least eight existing national, regional, or state environmental education programs for children
• Demonstrating that 5 percent of the electricity used in the community is from installed or purchased renewable energy

Findings of the Challenge will be used in the development of a Green Community Challenge Implementation Guide, which will contain specific case studies along with shared best practices among the four pilot communities. VML will launch the Green Community Challenge in 2011 along with the release of the Green Community Challenge Implementation Guide to assist other Virginia communities with their sustainability efforts.

“We’re very excited to be working with ICLEI and VML to develop a program to measure sustainability initiatives nationwide, said Blacksburg Sustainability Manager Susan Garrison.  “This challenge also gives us an opportunity to develop a local sustainability plan for the Town of Blacksburg, taking our own environmental programs to the next level.”