Sustainable Laurel

Welcome!Sustainable Plan Graphic

The City of Laurel is preparing to unveil its inaugural sustainability plan developed by and for our residents, marking a significant step towards a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for Laurel.  Part of our city’s “Green Living” website, the Sustainability page serves as a comprehensive guide to our sustainability efforts, outlining the importance of sustainability planning and providing insights into the “our voice, our future” vision for a sustainable city.

Why Sustainability Matters

Sustainability is crucial for the well-being of our planet and future generations. It encompasses various aspects such as environmental protection, economic prosperity, partnership, and social equity. By adopting sustainable practices, we can mitigate climate change, conserve natural resources, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. Sustainable living ensures that we meet the needs of our present community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The City of Laurel has developed the following definition of Sustainability, that will be finalized upon Plan adoption by the City:

Meaning of Sustainability Graphic

A Sustainability Plan enables all of us to make decisions, both short and long term, that bring balance to the economic, environmental, social, and overall governance aspects of our community. Our Plan will be centered around four “Pillars” of sustainability, adopted from the United Nations Sustainable: Development Goals (SDGs):

Four Sustainability Plan Pillars

  • People - embracing social equity, fairness, health, and wellness.
  • Planet - practicing responsible environmental management and conservation.
  • Prosperity - supporting local businesses and local economic growth.
  • Peace and Partnership - implementing joint environmental projects, social infrastructure, education among various groups, the city and interested citizens.

Our Commitment and Progress 

The City of Laurel is committed to becoming a leader in sustainability, and our first-ever sustainability plan will reflect this dedication. How we got started:

Starting the Sustainability Plan

Phase I Activities

In 2021, the City of Laurel began efforts for Sustainability which included the development of a framework for future planning efforts and community-wide engagement activities. Learn more about Phase I activities completed at the video below: