SUSTAINABILITY - Department of public works

The City of Sacramento is committed to making Sacramento sustainable. “Sustainability” means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability is about sustaining and integrating how we manage the economy, environment, and social equity, to minimize, mitigate, and adapt to short- and long-term impacts on the environment and the quality of life for residents.  

The Department of Public Works aims to achieve bold climate goals and integrate sustainability throughout its projects, policies ,and programs – such as public buildings, transportation system and mobility options, energy, urban agriculture, activities in the right-of-way, and more. Public Works staff is working to embed sustainability as a core element into City practices and decision making while continuing to coordinate with other City and regional efforts. On this site, you will discover some of what the City and others are doing at the policy and program level to move our community towards sustainability.

The City is currently updating it's General Plan, which serves as the City’s blueprint for how and where Sacramento will grow over the next 20 years. It contains policies that guide everything from transportation, to the type of homes available, to jobs, entertainment, public safety and much more. In 2018, the City initiated an update to the General Plan to ensure it remains responsive to the challenges of the coming years. In parallel, the City will also be preparing an ambitious Climate Action Plan that outlines a community-wide framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and establishes Sacramento as a climate leader. 

In order to track progress towards the City’s energy reduction goal, prioritize energy efficiency projects, and reduce costs, the City has developed an energy benchmarking system for all municipal buildings and facilities. The City’s total energy use, including on-site and off-site solar, electricity, and natural gas, decreased by 34% from 2005 to 2019, exceeding the General Plan goal of a 25% reduction below 2005 levels, eleven years in advance of the target year of 2030. Read more in the City's 2019 Energy Benchmarking Report. 

Access the 2035 General Plan and community-wide sustainability strategies in the City's 2012 Climate Action Plan. 

Learn more about the 2040 General Plan and Climate Action Plan Update. 

Learn about sustainability in City operations in the 2016 Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations.