Recommendations

Each team suggested recommendations for their specific sector. These recommendations accounted for the existing conditions present in Atlanta as well as what is already being done by the City of Atlanta.

Recommendations for Energy and Buildings

Enforce a Higher Standard Building, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Code
Work with Georgia Power to create and maintain a 100% clean energy plan
Expanding the benchmarking ordinance for buildings
Make energy data publicly available

Recommendations for Green Spaces

Provide lucrative incentives for projects that connect nature with the built environment
Account for all 3 pillars of sustainability while maintaining and planning our green spaces
Plant mostly native species with high carbon sequestration potential, like the southern magnolia and tulip poplar
Create a carbon credit system within Atlanta and/or Georgia with strong incentives for participation

Recommendations for Transportation

Expand bus rapid transit and heavy rail for long-term transit solutions
Develop land-use plans that eliminate minimum parking requirements for new developments in the city
Implement more protected cycling infrastructure that provides connections to businesses, transit, and existing cycling facilities (i.e. the BeltLine)
Increase multimodal safety with the installation of innovative infrastructure designs, particularly at intersections
Expand electric vehicle charging options throughout the city to make electric vehicle usage more convenient

Recommendations for Food

Address food insecurity with food recovery by creating food hubs and sites of food donation throughout the city
Utilize existing compositing plan to increase existing food recovery and optimize food sorting technologies
Develop a comprehensive, City-authorized plan to meet the goals outlined by Drawdown Georgia; particularly, the implementation of city-wide composting, incentivizing food waste reduction, and encouraging plant-based diets

Recommendations for Water and Waste

Transition to away from coal, natural gas, and nuclear to renewables like solar and wind which have significantly lower water consumption intensities.
Install digester gas capture on all wastewater treatment facilities for combined heat and power systems.
Capture landfill gas and utilize it for power generation for Atlanta homes.
Implementation of electric garbage trucks which are quieter, better for the environment, and yield a cost benefit from yearly savings (make money over its life cycle).