Sustainability Arlington, Virginia

Sustainability

Committed to the Environment

Arlington is the first community in the nation to be certified LEED Platinum, demonstrating our commitment to create a sustainable and resilient urban environment. It is also one of just 36 cities in the United States to be named a Climate Action Leader by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in their 2022 Cities A List.

We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and encourage citizens, businesses and government agencies to be “green” in all they do. Our residents, businesses and government work collectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change and promote energy efficiency — with an eye towards the ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Development

Green Building Incentive Program

Arlington’s voluntary green building program uses the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® green building rating system as a standard to measure the comprehensive green approach of each project. Arlington offers site plan developers bonus density in exchange for LEED Gold certification, additional energy requirements and other environmental components.

Lifestyle

A Sustainable Way of Life

Arlington’s signature transit-oriented development means that more than half of all commuters forego a single occupancy vehicle and travel to work by mass transit, bike or their own two feet. Arlington’s robust public transportation infrastructure, bikeshare system and walkability make it easy to navigate commercial and residential corridors.

Not only does Arlington reuse and recycle, we also compost. Arlington’s residential composting program will help us reach our goal of diverting 90% of community waste from incineration by 2038.

Interested in solar? Residents and small businesses can join Arlington’s Solar and Electric Vehicle Charger Co-op.

Consume Local. The multitude of seasonal and year-round farmers markets scattered throughout Arlington make it easier than ever to consume locally sourced and produced food.

Government

Local Sustainability Leadership

Arlington’s award-winning Community Energy Plan (CEP) is a long-term vision for transforming how we generate, use and distribute energy in Arlington. In 2019, the Arlington County Board adopted an update to the CEP that sets Arlington on a path to becoming a carbon-neutral community by 2050. The bold plan envisions a resilient and sustainable community running on renewable energy, with energy-efficient buildings, homes and transportation options.