Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Initiative (SEFL RCCI)
Palm Beach County partners with Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties in the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Initiative. The four counties joined forces under a 4-County Compact to provide a coordinated regional climate change strategy. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the Compact Counties State and Federal Energy and Climate Legislative Program and participates in the ICLEI Climate Resilient Communities Program. See Resolution R2010-1953 and page 14 of the 2012 Palm Beach County State Legislative Issues Report.

The 4th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit will be held in Palm Beach County at the beautiful Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa on December 6-7, 2012. This Summit highlights the Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP), Implementation Guide and Mayor’s Pledge. The RCAP represents the most significant milestone and work product of the 4-County Compact to date. It is a common framework to inform, improve, and advance regional policy and planning efforts and provides recommendations for local/regional planning interests. It does not provide a mandate for any county or municipal actions, but rather serves as a living document with options for each government entity to adopt and utilize based on their interests and vision for the future.

Visit http://southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org to view Compact documents and register for the Summit.

Palm Beach County is a "Certified Silver" Green Local Government
As a Certified Silver Green Local Government, Palm Beach County demonstrates its commitment to environmental stewardship. The county meets the Certification Standards set by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). This highly sought after designation, achieved in September 2012, is a result of green initiatives performed by the County and its partners, the Solid Waste Authority, Department of Health, School Board of Palm Beach County, and the offices of the Sheriff, Tax Collector and Property Appraiser. Certification came after a thorough evaluation of energy and water usage, land use practices, recycling and waste disposal practices, educational programs, purchasing practices, policies and regulatory policies, and many others to enhance the quality of life and resilience of our communities. Together with our partners, a framework of support exists to protect and conserve the community’s natural resources, enhance the efficiency of government (thus reducing the cost to taxpayers), and raise public awareness about the benefits of environmental stewardship.

• Certified Silver Green Local Government Factsheet

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Projects in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County and many municipalities in Palm Beach County received grant money for energy efficient projects. These projects are assisting in reducing fossil fuel emissions, improving energy efficiency county wide, and maximizing benefits to the community. Palm Beach County's EECBG funds are expected to create/retain a minimum of 148 jobs based on the Department of Energy's formula, realize a 20% energy savings, spur economic growth and help lay the foundation for a continued sustainable clean energy economy.

• Summary of EECBG Expenditures in Palm Beach County, November 2012
• U.S. Department of Energy's Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant June 2009

Palm Beach County Green Task Force on Environmental Sustainability and Conservation
The mission of the Green Task Force on Environmental Sustainability and Conservation established under Resolution R-2008-1007 was to identify actions and policies that can be implemented by the county to encourage a healthier, more resource efficient and environmental sustainable living through efficient buildings and natural resources conservation.  This advisory board met for over one year and was sunsetted in August 2009.  The following report was produced along with an inventory of existing county environmental sustainability initiatives:

• PBC Green Task Force on Environmental Sustainability and Conservation Recommendations
  
• PBC Inventory of Environmental Sustainability Initiatives

The Progress Summary below provides the current evaluation status. You may also wish to view the "Sustainability and Green Initiatives Workshop" presentation.

• Workshop Final Update of Green Task Force Recommendations