City of Berkeley Sustainability Policies & Model Programs

Over the years, the Berkeley City Council has adopted a number of resolutions and ordinances that have helped to increase the sustainability of the Berkeley Community. In addition, Berkeley has implemented model programs, and included sustainability principles in its Revised General Plan. 

Programs

• Berkeley Energy Smart Awards gave out energy leadership awards through the 2013-14 program to businesses and building owners who voluntarily benchmarked their building's energy use.
• Berkeley FIRST was the original pilot program (now concluded) that created the PACE financing model.
• Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO is a current program that requires building owners and homeowners to complete and publicly report comprehensive energy assessments to uncover energy saving opportunities.
• Money for Energy Efficiency (ME2) was a limited-time-only program that provided cash incentives for energy efficiency upgrades in Berkeley homes and businesses from July 2010 to September 2012.

Resolutions and Ordinances (Municipal)

• Dioxin Pollution Reduction - 60196
• Environmental Preferable Purchasing Policy - 62693
• Green Building - 62284
• Local Business Preference Program for Purchases - 51813
• Precautionary Principle - 6911
• Prohibition of Chlorofluorocarbon Processed Food Packaging - 5867
• Prohibition of Purchase of Tropical Wood -58291  
• Purchasing Recycled Content Paper - 55327
• Revised Pest Management Policy - 54319

Resolutions and Ordinances (Community)

• Food Packaging Ordinance: Polystyrene Foam and Recyclable and Degradable - 5888
• Kyoto Protocol Endorsement - 62783
• Zero Waste Goal - 62849  

 Policy and Standards

• Green Cleaning Policy Standards for Municipal Facilities
• Energy and Water Standards for Municipal Facilities
• Recycling and Composting Standards for Municipal Facilities
• Responsible Investment Policies (including Divestment from Fossil Fuels)

Resources

Green Cities California  An association of leading green cities and counties in California

Back to the Office of Energy and Sustainable Development homepage