Welcome: Sustainability Matters

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS

The Columbus of today and tomorrow has an eye on being green.

Projected to add 1 million new residents by 2050, the Columbus Region is setting out to grow sustainably through a collaborative approach and long-term view.

As part of a Climate Action Plan unveiled in 2021, Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther outlined a vision to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

But it’s not just the city of Columbus tackling this massive challenge. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), Franklin County and a number of smaller communities within the Region are taking substantial actions to promote air quality, clean energy, water conservation, green buildings and development, and sustainable transportation. Dublin, Gahanna, Genoa Township, Lockbourne and Upper Arlington were recognized by MORPC as the Region’s first set of Sustainable2050 communities, achieving an elevated status for their actions to promote sustainability. Dublin, for one, committed to increasing the percentage of fleet vehicles using alternative fuels. Gahanna implemented an innovative stormwater credit incentive to encourage green stormwater infrastructure and reduce peak flow runoff. And Genoa Township committed to maintenance and improvements to its multipurpose trails, including the Genoa Trail, which is part of the Central Ohio Greenways route and Ohio to Erie Trail.

“The reason it’s so important is because we’re growing significantly as a region,” says Brandi Whetstone, sustainability officer for MORPC. “And with that growth brings exciting opportunities—but also challenges. We’re really challenged with, how do we proactively accommodate for this growth while we maintain a balance of social, environmental and economic well-being? It’s really important that we work together to collectively shape our communities so that all residents have a high quality of life.”

Recognizing the role a healthy environment plays in the Region’s future, the city of Columbus set up the Sustainable Columbus initiative to promote environmentally friendly policies throughout the community. And Smart Columbus, a regionwide Smart City initiative led by the city of Columbus and the Columbus Partnership, has identified measurable goals in its sustainability efforts.

From bike trails to fresh water, the Columbus Region is considered well-positioned for this era of sustainable growth. In fact, Intel Corp. cited the Region’s water quality as a key factor in its decision to invest more than $20 billion in a semiconductor manufacturing campus near New Albany.

“We have a lot of really great rivers and streams throughout the Region, and that’s really our competitive advantage when it comes to attractiveness and quality of life,” Whetstone says. “I know there are a lot of businesses that have located here in Central Ohio because our access to fresh water is reliable.”