Eastern Connecticut State University
IN-24: Innovation A

In 2018, Eastern's Institute for Sustainable Energy launched "Sustainable CT," a voluntary municipal sustainability certification program (www.sustainablect.org). Sustainable CT is a voluntary certification program to recognize thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities. An independently funded, grassroots, municipal effort, Sustainable CT provides a wide-ranging menu of best practices. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them, and earn points toward certification. Sustainable CT also provides opportunities for grant funding to help communities promote economic well-being and enhance equity, all while respecting the finite capacity of the natural environment. The program is designed to support all Connecticut municipalities, regardless of size, geography or resources. Sustainable CT empowers municipalities to create high collective impact for current and future residents. The program offers a menu of best practice actions, including development of municipal policies such as complete streets,streamlined solar permitting, integrating sustainability into the plan of conservation and development, environmental purchasing policy, etc. Over 40% of the municipalities in CT participate in Sustainable CT and strive to implement these actions. 22 municipalities were certified in year one of the program, demonstrating significant accomplishments in these areas. Sustainable CT connects municipalities with new and existing sources of funding and technical support by partnering with specialized nonprofit organizations and foundation sponsorship. They also can access direct support in completing their applications through our Sustainable CT Fellows, dedicated interns pooled from universities throughout the state.