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Plano Embraces Sustainability: New Department Dedicated to Effort
Posted: August 11, 2006
Gro Harlem Brundtland is a Norwegian politician, diplomat and physician - an international leader in sustainable development and public health. A three-term Prime Minister of Norway and Director General of the World Health Organization, she was recently named one of the fourth most influential Europeans in the last 25 years, behind Pope John Paul II, Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher.
The majority of us, however, have never heard of Gro Brundtland, or the Brundtland Commission. But, Gro Brundtland and her United Nations Commission (formally the World Commission on Environment and Development) have set the wheels in motion for global awareness of “sustainability,” a concept formally recognized by Plano with the development of the new Sustainability and Environmental Services Department.
The original 1987 Brundtland Report defined sustainable development as development that “meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” The term “sustainable development” was adopted under Agenda 21 by the United Nations, later reaffirmed by the 1995 World Summit on Social Development. The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development expanded this definition to include a global initiative to eradicate poverty, protect natural resources and change unsustainable production and consumption patterns.
The City’s dedication of a Department to develop and promote environmental sustainability initiatives in the community is the result of research and recommendation provided to the City Manager and City Council through a 2005 Management Preparation Program Class, which recommended the City adopt this concept as an organizational priority. Recognizing the positive impact the program would have on all facets of daily life, a request for proposals was issued within the existing municipal structure providing the opportunity for existing management to take on a number of new responsibilities.
For several years the City’s Environmental Waste Services Division, a national leader in waste reduction/reuse initiatives, has been “thinking globally while acting locally.” Existing composting, residential/commercial recycling, waste reduction and chemical reuse initiatives coupled with the broad environmental programs managed by the Division were deemed the perfect platform for the launch of the City’s sustainability effort.
A new Department, Sustainability and Environmental Services, was formed, with Ms. Nancy Nevil, former Environmental Waste Services Manager, named as Director to lead the initiative. Said City Manager Tom Muehlenbeck, “She is the logical selection based on her outstanding service and passion for sustainability. This is an important addition to the organization and will address environmental issues that will make Plano a better place to live now and in the future.”
Ms. Nevil is a 24-year Plano veteran who has led Environmental Waste Services into the implementation of fully automated refuse and recycling collections, operation of a regional composting program, a commercial diversion program and establishment of a household hazardous waste collection program and reuse facility. She was instrumental in the formation of the nationally-recognized Keep Plano Beautiful Commission and has served as president of the Solid Waste Association of North America, receiving numerous recognitions for her achievements in the environmental field.
Ms. Nevil will work with a leadership group and four municipal committees to address the wide range of issues related to sustainability. Committees include: Environmental Education and Community Outreach, Resource Conservation, Green Builder Program, Financing and Capital Appropriations.
“With sustainability, we’re talking about touching everyone in the City of Plano – every resident, every business, every visitor. This is a top priority for our City right now,” said Ms. Nevil. “We’re looking at the total picture from water and energy conservation to clean air, green space preservation, continuing waste minimization, purchasing practices, construction and demolition recycling. We want to implement long-term sustainable solutions, integrating environmental issues into our mission, into our decision making and daily activities in order to make a positive impact on our environment.”
Already firmly in the works is planning for a “Green Living Plano” expo to be held in May 2007. The Expo will be a visual demonstration of what a “green lifestyle” encompasses, with exhibitors, vendors and educators offering a one-stop shop of entertainment, participatory activities, competitions, athletic events, prizes and incentives complimenting educational workshops and displays of products and practices.
Throughout time Plano City Councils and municipal management have actively supported many of the concepts of “today’s” sustainable programs, including proactive support of environmental programs in Public Works, Fleet, Engineering, Planning, Building Inspections, Environmental Health and Parks and Recreation. The new program will initially focus on “where we are, where we want to be and how to get there.” Communicating Plano’s current environmental efforts and engaging organizations and the community to develop and implement long-tern sustainable solutions will be a priority.
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