The Fort Collins Sustainability Group grew out of a meeting held in the spring of 2005, shortly after the Kyoto Protocol went into effect, between several people interested in getting the city to commit to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Over the following months, others who viewed such a commitment as a way to strengthen the local economy in the wake of high technology sector job losses joined the new organization.
Members of the FCSG soon learned that the Fort Collins City Council had passed a resolution in 1999 committing the city to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions significantly by 2010. However, we also learned that the city would fall far short of its goal unless additional actions were taken.
In response, the FCSG initiated a resolution to establish a “Climate Task Force” to develop a set of measures that could be taken to meet the goal established in 1999, which would also help strengthen the local economy. This resolution was passed by City Council in March 2007. The FCSG then actively participated in and supported the efforts of the Climate Task Force, which completed its proposed package of measures for City Council’s consideration in the spring of 2008.
Following the recommendations of both the FCSG and the Climate Task Force, City Council expressed its intent in May of 2008 to meet the original 2010 goal by 2012. Council also signaled its intent to continue reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by establishing new, aggressive goals for 2020 and 2050. The FCSG plans to remain active in helping ensure that Fort Collins stays on track to meet these commitments.
The FCSG also plans to work with other residents of Fort Collins to develop a long-term vision for becoming a sustainable community. We then hope to help Fort Collins towards realizing that vision in the coming years.