Since 2018, the Sustainability Division has submitted an annual report to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) detailing progress made towards inventorying and reducing emissions, as well as promoting climate adaptation and resilience. For over two decades, CDP has provided a platform for cities, counties, states, regions, and corporations across the globe to voluntarily report their emissions, water, land management, and climate action goals and provides a score from A to D, indicating the degree to which the respondent is knowledgeable about environmental issues and is implementing current best practices. 

For the second consecutive year, Santa Fe County was awarded an A-. This grade is considered a climate action leadership level, recognizing the County's sustainability-related work and goals achieved from fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2024. As described by CDP, this leadership level reflects a “demonstration of best practice standards across adaptation and mitigation areas, and ambitious goals and substantial progress towards achieving those goals.” As with last year, Santa Fe County received high marks in the climate adaptation category in part due to ongoing green stormwater infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions programming, and renewable energy usage commitments.

Still, there is much to be done both to improve the County's score and, more importantly, expand efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and develop resilient communities in the face of climate change, especially in the transportation and built environment sectors. This year, 29 cities and counties in the United States and 112 cities and counties worldwide received the highest grade of “A." A commonality among the towns and highest-performing cities and counties includes regular and comprehensive efforts to track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sector-specific emissions reduction goals, and high-impact policies and programs to expand resilience, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and address issues such as water conservation and habitat degradation, waste diversion, and food security.  

This year, staff will look to peer communities, such as the City of Phoenix, Boulder County, and the Resilient Southwest Building Code Collaborative, for opportunities to implement more best practices and policies. The Sustainability team will also begin developing new governmental and community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories to track progress toward reducing emissions, as well as launch new initiatives, such as the recently announced 4Nature Program. The 4Nature program will provide community members with the tools and resources needed to take action in their backyards and lands by expanding natural habitats and biodiversity, strengthening soil health, and capturing and reusing water resources.

Beyond a CDP score, the accurate measure of success is reflected in positive actions that reduce emissions and improve the health and resiliency of Santa Fe County.

Visit the Sustainability website to learn more about current and upcoming programs and discover ways everyone can contribute to this vitally important mission.

Preparation and planning are essential when it comes to mitigating the risk of a natural disaster or emergency. On May 22, the Governor declared a state of emergency due to “persistent and severe drought” as wildfire season descended upon the Southwest region.

The County proactively addressed the concerns by kicking off a community-wide wildfire mitigation community outreach event held at the County Fairgrounds on March 29th. To reach as many residents as possible, the Fire Department and Emergency Management teams are leading the charge to provide location-specific wildfire mitigation outreach events in every district throughout the County.  Numerous representatives from the County Fire Department, Emergency Services, Solid Waste and Sustainability, Commissioner liaisons, as well as the New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance have been available at the events to help residents register for Smart 911, learn about evacuation zones, schedule a defensible space assessment, and access other resources and tips. The event series was hosted on Saturdays from 10 am until noon at the following locations:

   May 17 – Santa Fe County Public Safety Complex, 35 Camino Justicia, Santa Fe

   May 24 – Santa Fe County Stan Holden Fire Station (#70), 1 Municipal Way, Edgewood

   May 31 – Nambe Community Center, 180 NM-503, Santa Fe

Representatives will continue to assist residents on:

   June 7 – Santa Fe County Hondo Fire Station 1, 645 Old Las Vegas Hwy, Santa Fe

If you missed the kickoff at the Fairgrounds or your district’s event, no matter where you live, it isn’t too late to catch the June 7 date at the Santa Fe County Hondo Fire Station 1.

It's also never too late to:

• Hardscape your landscape and reduce the fuel on your property
• Take advantage of the free green waste drop-off days every Saturday through the end of June at the Stanley, Jacona, or Eldorado County Convenience Centers.
• Reach out to your local wildfire experts with the County to find out everything you need to know about better preparing your home and family in case of an emerging threat or emergency.

Stay safe, and please be sure to follow the latest fire safety guidance.