Climate Smart Community (CSC) is a New York State program intended to assist municipalities in addressing climate change by identifying concrete steps they can take within a specified framework. In September 2022, Bronxville was awarded Bronze Certification in New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program in recognition of the program actions the Village and Climate Smart Communities Task force completed. Actions completed are listed below. 

The Road to Bronze

In February 2021, Bronxville’s Village Trustees decided to join the CSC program and passed the Climate Smart Community resolution. The resolution created a Climate Smart Task Force. The CCS Task Force worked for almost 18 months to complete and document twenty Action Steps outlined in the program and accrue 149 points, more than the 120 points needed to achieve this designation. 

To win the Bronze designation, Bronxville completed these Actions Steps, among others:

• Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Municipal Operations

• Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the Village of Bronxville

• Documented how Bronxville’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan contains elements supporting sustainable living

• Installation of EV charging stations and LED Traffic Signals

• Installation of ground-source heat pumps in Village Hall, in 2006

• Food Scrap Recycling program

• Campaigns to reduce solid waste, including TAKE BACK DAY and communications on recycling

• Creation of the Green Committee website, social media efforts and resident communications

For details about the Action Steps we took, documentation supporting them, and points awarded, click on Bronxville’s icon on the map found here.

Benefits of Becoming a Climate Smart Community

• Become eligible for grant money to help pay for clean energy adaptations.

• Acquire a well-defined, robust framework to help prioritize and highlight our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability.

• Gain access to resources and expert guidance provided by the State.

• Save money through greater efficiencies.

• Achieve greater energy independence and security.

• Enjoy cleaner air, soil, and water.

• Reduce flood risks.

• Receive credit for some steps the Village has already taken.

• Strengthen community bonds as we work together toward these goals.

Meeting Tough Climate Goals 

The Community Leadership and Climate Protection Act (CLCPA) is the law in New York State.  It sets extremely ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making the transition to renewable energy:   

         *85% Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

         *100% zero-emission electricity by 2040

         *70% renewable energy by 2030

Advisory committees are now meeting to determine exactly how we will meet those goals; the New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) will have the authority to enforce whatever legal framework eventually emerges.  By working now to earn points through the Climate Smart Communities program, Bronxville will be best positioned for whatever new legislation emerges from Albany.

Climate Smart Task Force

Helen Knapp, Bronxville Village Trustee

Stephen Shallo, Assistant to Town Administrator Jim Palmer, Climate Smart Coordinator

Ellen Edwards, Chair, Bronxville Green Committee & Climate Smart Task Force

Maria Terjanian, Community Engagement Chair, Bronxville Green Committee

Carole Upshur, Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health

University of Massachusetts Medical School