Erie County Environmental Management Council releases annual recommendations report

Report recognizes achievements like adoption of community climate action plan, support for sustainable transportation options, securing major grant funding for environmental initiatives

√ Council report urges county leadership to invest in protection & restoration of environment by using less energy, conserving land, preparing for changing climate 

Submitted by the Press Secretary to the Erie County Executive

The Erie County Environmental Management Council (EMC), an advisory board to Erie County on environmental issues, has announced the release of its 2024 annual recommendations. The report recognizes the significant achievements Erie County has made toward building a stronger, more sustainable and climate-friendly community, and identifies areas needing continued attention and investment.

The EMC noted the county’s recent achievements, such as releasing and adopting an equity-focused community climate action plan, supporting sustainable transportation options including the installation of the county’s first level 3 EV charger at Akron Falls Park, and securing three major grants ($3 million for a green roof on the Central Library; $1 million for rooftop solar projects at the Central Library and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens; and $5 million for a community forestry project).

“The EMC’s annual report provides a good benchmark of our efforts to build a stronger, more resilient Erie County with environmental initiatives that are equitable and will bear fruit far into the future. It is incumbent upon us to work today to make our county better for future generations – and the report shows that we are doing that,” Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. “However, more work lies before us, and the report also gives us a roadmap for future actions to preserve, protect and create a stronger Erie County for the next generation.”

The report also contains a series of recommendations for future actions, including five priorities related to simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change. These are:

•Improve our transportation system: Transportation is the largest part of our greenhouse gas inventory, and we need a multipronged approach – not business as usual.

•Use less energy and support renewables: Ramp up local energy conservation and renewable energy use by sharing the county’s experience with other municipalities, as well as promoting NYSERDA’s commercial and residential programs. Work to encourage renewable energy development – especially on brownfields, parking lots, and on rooftops.

•Protect land/stop sprawl: Rural land serves as a source of food production, a carbon sink and wildlife habitat. Preventing sprawl in a strategic way and in coordination with community partners has multiple benefits, and the county should use all available planning tools to encourage densification of development.

•Waste not, want not: Support significant expansion of food composting through technical assistance, education, advocacy, and the pursuit of grants. By composting food, we reduce particularly potent greenhouse gas emissions and produce a valuable soil amendment.

•Prepare for a changing climate: Our current infrastructure needs to be reassessed for its ability to withstand the impacts of climate change. For example, increasing the use of green infrastructure can help mitigate the effects of intense rain events, and heat pumps can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also providing air conditioning during extreme heat events.

In addition to the report, the EMC is seeking nominations for a 2025 Environmental Excellence Award to honor municipal governments, institutions, and nonprofit organizations that have recently completed work to improve the environment.

Application/nominations for the 2025 Environmental Excellence Award are due March 7. More information is at www.erie.gov/emc.

For more information on the EMC, visit https://www3.erie.gov/environment/environmental-management-council; to read the 2024 annual recommendations report, visit https://www3.erie.gov/environment/sites/www3.erie.gov.environment/files/2025-01/emc-report-2024-final.pdf.