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City of Eugene Sustainable Buildings Policy For City-Owned Buildings Background The term "sustainable development" was defined by the 1987 U.N. World Commission on Environment and Development as: "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Key objectives included: "reviv i n ~ economic growth, but in anew form (less material and energy intensive...); meeting essential ne ei for jambs, food, water, energy and sanitation; conserving and enhancing the natural resource base; an merging ecological and economic considerations in decision making." On February 28, 2000, the Eugene City Council adopted Council lZolution No. 4(118 providing a defi- nition and statement of intent regarding the application of suslaina6ility principled to the City of Eugene. In adopting the resolution, the Council committed City elected officials and City stiff to upholding the following principles in carrying out their duties: ~ ~ 1. The concept of sustainability guides city policy and uctron,ti The City of Eugene is committed to meeting its current needs without compromising the a~b i 1 i ty of future generations to meet their own needs. The City will ensure iat each of its policy~ciecisions and programs are intercon- nected through the common bond ofustir~hity as expressed u7 these principles. The cumula- tive and long-term impacts of policy ch >iccs ~~°ilte considered as rve work to ensure a sustain- able legacy. ~'"`- , 2. The City will lead hip e.rcrrn~le. The City u. Eugene has an. opportunity and responsibility to set an example for other ur~~,rnizations by operat~~g its facilities and services in a sustainable manner. The City is c omitted t~~ assesing its current°practices and programs with respect to their con- formance wi susrainabilit~~'nbjectives. The Cit is further committed to developing strategies for implementing ~ristainable. pr rctices that ass purchasing of products and services, mainte- nance~ fa~ilitl' desr_~n. and rnrrnici~a( opc~3t~o s. 3. The duality of the eni~ir~ur,next c~~td ~e health of the economy are interdependent. A healthy ~ cn~ ironment is integral to the lung-term economic interests of the City. The City is committed to protecting and restoring the natt~ra environment as growth management and economic develop- ment decisions are mode. The City is also committed to ecological decision-making wherein enviro~iluririai criteria arc integrated into municipal decision-making processes: As we protect ,the health of~the environment and provide for expansion of the economy, we must also ensure that inequitaUlc hnrdyns are not placed on any one geographic or socioeconomic sector of the population. 4. Community awareness end education are fundamentally important to successful implementa- tion of sustainability policies and programs. Every member of the community has some impact on the environment. Individuals, businesses, governments, and community-based groups must be encouraged to take responsibility for actions that harm the environment. The City will assume a leadership role in creating, sponsoring, and promoting sustainability awareness and education within the community. The City will focus on solutions and will facilitate citizen participation in developing those solutions.