City of Fayetteville Receives “A” Score for Climate Change

by David Cox

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The city of Fayetteville received an “A” rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project for their climate and energy efforts.

CDP scores cities around the globe in what they are currently doing to reduce emissions, what they plan to do in the future, and how well cities are keeping track of emissions information.

“The city has a 100 percent clean energy goal by 2030,” said Chris McNamara, Sustainability Project Manger for the City of Fayetteville. “We’re now at 72 percent.”

The city has solar panels at both of its wastewater facilities and has 100 shares of solar panels at the Ozarks Electric Cooperative solar array in Springdale.

Fayetteville is also aiming to reduce emissions by expanding on and investing in resources that residents can take advantage of. “We’re trying to reduce landfill waste by expanding recycling plans to apartments,” said McNamara.

The city is also investing “in bike trails so residents can walk or ride to their destinations,” said McNamara, and that residents can use the Ozark Regional Transit bus system for free within the city limits.

Aside from the city government’s goals, McNamara said residents can do their part in reducing emissions.

“They can install solar on their own house, use electric instead of gas, and plant trees around the area,” McNamara said.