Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a top priority for the City of Northfield. Climate Change Impacts was one of six priorities in our 2018-2020 Strategic Plan. As such, we adopted a Climate Action Plan on November 5, 2019. The plan and supporting documents are provided below.

The Climate Action Plan is focused around six topic areas: Energy, Food, Land Use, Materials & Waste, Transportation and Water. The plan itself has two main areas – mitigation and resiliency/adaptation.

To learn more about actions taking place and resources:

Listen to the podcast Sustainable Northfield

Watch recorded videos and webinars

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It considers a larger approach to decision-making by determining ahead of time how policies and actions affect people, the environment and our economy.

GreenStep Cities

In 2021, the City of Northfield achieved the Step 5 level of GreenStep Cities. Many of the items in the city’s Climate Action Plan will be tied to Green Step Cities efforts.

See Northfield’s GreenStep details

See Northfield's and other cities' progress using the GreenStep Cities Metrics

Volunteer

If you are interested in helping the city advance our Climate Action Plan considering serving on our Environmental Quality Commission. 

Learn about the Environmental Quality Commission.

If you would like to volunteer in other ways please contact staff for current opportunities.

  1. Zaya Detert winning poster

    “Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution” Poster Contest 2023 winners

    Zaya Detert (grade 2 and 3) and Laurel Benson (grade 4 and 5) won first place in the 2023 “Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution” Poster Contest. Students from all five Northfield elementary schools submitted 171 posters for the contest. Stormwater poster...
  2. metal container for trash with black lid and recycling with blue lid located at Bridge Square

    Recycling and composting for a better Northfield

    So, what’s with all those colorful tops and information stickers on the Bridge Square waste receptacles? It’s a city pilot project to increase the quality of downtown recycling and ultimately at home, work, and play. Recycling and composting...
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