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Innovative Strategies and Community Engagement Drive Sustainability Successes
The Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination announced today the release of the 2024 Climate Action Progress and Highlights report, showcasing significant strides made in sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate resilience over the past year.
From reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency to expanding its renewable energy footprint, the report underscores the county's whole-of-government approach to creating a resilient, sustainable community for all.
Key Achievements Serving the Community in 2024:
Sustain Fairfax Campaign: Started the Sustain Fairfax public awareness campaign, to increase community engagement and participation in sustainability initiatives.
Green Business Partners Program: Expanded to 51 member organizations actively engaging in sustainable practices.
Flood Risk Reduction Services: Launched the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP), providing reimbursements to property owners for flood-proofing practices.
Extreme Heat Services: Upgraded Cooling Centers, increasing their usage from 251 visits in 2023 to 1,301 visits in 2024.
Urban Design and Building Codes: Revising Urban Design Guidelines to incorporate climate-friendly features and enforced the updated Uniform State Building Code to improve energy efficiency and support renewable energy adoption.
Tree Planting Initiatives: Planted approximately 16,000 trees, including 287 at schools and government sites, focusing on urban heat islands and equity-driven site selection.
Key Milestones for County Operations in 2024:
Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Overall emissions in county operations are down almost 28% compared to the fiscal year 2018 baseline.
Energy Efficiency Enhancements: Total electricity use in county operations has decreased by 15% since FY2018, a result of continuous upgrades of county facilities.
Solar Installations: 10 county buildings now have rooftop solar, with 10 more planned by the end of 2025.
Climate Resilient Design: Developed a Climate Resilient Design Checklist, piloted in the Embry Rucker Shelter and Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center designs.
"Our progress in 2024 is a testament to our steadfast commitment to addressing climate change and building a resilient community,” said Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “Despite funding challenges and changes in federal policy, we are dedicated to continuing this momentum and leading by example to ensure a sustainable Fairfax County for generations to come."
The 2024 report tracks progress in implementing the county’s three climate and energy plans – the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), the Operational Energy Strategy (OES), and Resilient Fairfax.
These plans set ambitious goals that include: lowering greenhouse gas emissions to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050; achieving carbon neutrality for government operations by 2040; and improving community resilience to the effects of climate change that are already occurring.
“Our collaborative efforts across all county agencies and with our community partners have enabled us to make significant impact,” said John Morrill, director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. “We look forward to building on these achievements and tackling the challenges ahead with innovative solutions and robust community engagement.”
In 2025, Fairfax County anticipates further advancements, including the launch of a “concierge” program to assist residents with home energy improvements and an AC Rescue program for extreme heat resiliency.
The report, as well as more of the data and information, is available on the Climate Action Dashboard — a single site for explaining and sharing progress with residents on the county’s climate action goals.
To learn more about the county’s climate policies, programs and progress, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/environment-energy-coordination.
The Environment & Energy dashboard is the seventh dashboard now published to support the implementation of the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan.
The dashboard presents information about promoting air, water and land quality and supporting sound environmental policy and practices as indicators.
Overall, the metrics included in this dashboard help to evaluate the goals of achieving carbon neutrality through emissions reduction, mitigating the effects of climate change and creating a cleaner and healthier community for all.
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Fairfax County, in collaboration with Clean Air Partners, is excited to announce a series of “Green Your Lawn” events aimed at promoting air quality awareness and sustainable lawn care practices. These events will provide residents with practical tips on reducing emissions from yard work and offer opportunities to exchange gas-powered lawn tools for free electric alternatives.
Event Details:
May 17, Reston Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to Noon
May 18, Lorton Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to Noon
May 24, Ace Hardware in Fairfax, Va., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.*
June 8, Healthy Together Fairfax, Franconia Park, 12- 3 p.m.*
(*Event will feature Backyard Bubble)
Residents attending the events will learn simple yet effective tips to improve air quality in their communities and can enter for a chance to win free electric lawn tools. Some events will feature the interactive Backyard Bubble, an engaging way to understand the impact of lawn care on air quality. To further support this initiative, residents can register to trade in their polluting gas-powered lawn tools in exchange for new Ego Power+ mowers, blowers, and trimmers.
At the May 24 “Green Your Lawn” event at Ace Hardware in Fairfax, Braddock District Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw will be joined by City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read and Councilmember Thomas D. Peterson to recognize Air Quality Awareness.
“As temperatures rise, so does the risk of poor air quality,” said Walkinshaw, Chair of the Board’s Environmental Committee. “By encouraging the switch to electric lawn equipment, we can cut harmful emissions, protect public health, and make our neighborhoods cleaner and more livable.”
According to Clean Air Partners, using a gas-powered leaf blower for 1 hour creates as much air pollution as driving a car for 1,100-plus miles. Besides opting for electric lawn tools, you can do your share for clean air by:
Mowing only on good air quality days
Using organic fertilizers & pesticides
Leaving grass clippings to make your own mulch
“We are thrilled to offer these events and tool exchanges to our community,” said John Morrill, director of Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination “By making the switch to electric lawn tools and implementing sustainable lawn care practices, we can all contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment.”
Join us in our efforts to green your lawn and improve our air quality. Register now for one of the “Green Your Lawn” events and take the first step towards a more sustainable future.
For more information and to register for the tool exchange, visit the registration form.
REGISTER FOR THE TOOL EXCHANGE
Visit the county's electric-powered lawn equipment page to learn more about the benefits of making the switch.
About Clean Air Partners
Clean Air Partners is a public-private partnership that educates the greater metropolitan Washington-Baltimore region about the health risks associated with poor air quality and the benefits of reducing air pollution.
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