Nov 29, 2018
DENVER – With over 800 sustainability advocates and stakeholders in attendance, Mayor Michael B. Hancock today kicked off the city’s 4th annual Sustainable Denver Summit. The Summit serves as a year-round catalyst for organizations to set and meet sustainability commitments and supports the city’s ambitious 2020 Sustainability Goals.
“No matter what’s happening at the White House, we believe in science here in Denver. And we’re taking the challenge of climate change seriously,” Mayor Hancock said. “Climate change threatens our people directly, putting our health, environment and economy – our very way of life – at risk. Our environmental and sustainability achievements are the result of the partnerships we have with our business community, our non-profits, our educational institutions and our residents.”
Video from the opening plenary session
Over 50 new commitments were made to take specific actions to move sustainability forward in Denver for this year’s summit. Commitments from city agencies announced by Mayor Hancock this year include:
Mayor Hancock also announced one notable private sector commitment from Concept GeeBee, a Canadian producer of all-electric vehicles. Concept GeeBee committed to locate its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Denver if it can obtain orders for 125 vehicles in the Denver area.
Mayor Hancock and his Administration have initiated several key sustainability accomplishments over the past year that have set Denver on the path of remaining a local leader in addressing climate change:
During the Summit, the more than 800 participants will work in one of seven tracks, collectively offering more than 20 breakout sessions to develop ideas for new and expanded initiatives that will address key areas within Denver-based community and government operations, including air and water quality, climate, energy, mobility, and food.