Some lists for the "top ten" greenest cities in the U.S. are based on limited metrics, while others have fairly comprehensive criteria used for the ranking system. While no "top ten" list can be all-inclusive, it might be useful to have a comprehensive master list for criteria that could be used when creating a rating system for determining the environmental progressiveness of a city.
Keep in mind that different sized cities have unique environmental challenges, and in some cases advantages. For example, many cities struggle with urban sprawl and carbon output from single-use commuter cars, while cities like New York naturally have fewer cars due to its density and transportation infrastructure. It's important, then, to compare cities of similar size when creating a "top ten" list of greenest cities.
Comprehensive Criteria for Rating Green Cities in America
The following criteria might be included in ranking systems for which cities are the greenest in the U.S.:
- Formal Sustainability Plan, Committee, or Sustainable Director appointed at the city level
- Level of involvement of urban planning as regards sustainability
- Legislative activity, looking at environmental protection laws
- Community involvement/green grassroots movements, including farmers markets, local coops, and community gardens
- Municipal transportation fleets, using data on number of hybrid or alternative fuel-using vehicles
- Eco-tourism
- Public awareness activities, including expos and conventions hosted, as well as other events
- Number of "greentrepreneurs" (green entrepreneurs), or businesses promoting environmentally responsible products and services
- Participation of businesses and corporations toward sustainability practices, including data from the U.S. DOE (United States Department of Energy), Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development organizations
NRDC's Criteria for Ranking Leading American Cities in Environmental Progressiveness
The above list of suggested criteria is in addition to the NRDC's (Natural Resources Defense Council) already comprehensive list of criteria for rating eco-friendliness of American cities:
- Air Quality;
- Energy Production and Conservation;
- Environmental Standards and Participation;
- Green Building;
- Green Space;
- Innovation (environmentally responsible policies and practices);
- Recycling;
- Standard of Living;
- Transportation; and
- Water Quality and Conservation.
Whether you are critically evaluating lists of top ten greenest cities in America, or you are creating a list yourself, it's important to remember the audience and purpose of the list. Don't criticize a list for having limited or a single metric for ranking greenest cities, if the intent was just to let a niche industry know which cities are eco-friendly for that purpose.
For example, if the audience consists of consumers who want to know which cities are the most active environmentally at the grassroots level or have the most incentives for initiating or participating in environmental activities, then criteria should be chosen to evaluate cities geared towards that audience.
As another example, if the purpose of the list is to serve as a resource of contact information and success stories at the city level for cities interested in becoming greener themselves, then the criteria should reflect that audience and purpose. Such a list might include best sustainability plan, legislative support, tax incentives for environmental projects, etc.
Remember, no top ten greenest cities list can be based on all-inclusive criteria as this would be a massive project to sort through all of the data, and cities are evolving quickly to adapt to citizen demands of local governments to act more responsibly when it comes to sustainability and environmental progressiveness.
Sources:
NRDC Smarter Cities website, a project of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
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