Albany County Goes Green

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Dedicated to becoming the greenest county in New York State

Albany County has developed a comprehensive green policy that applies to all county functions and is provided to all employees during orientation. In addition to this, key departments send representatives to a quarterly focus group meeting to develop ideas and check on initiative implementation.

Albany County took the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Pledge in 2009, and continues to address the 10 focus areas (pledge elements) identified by New York State. In 2017, Albany County became the first municipality in the Capital Region to earn NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Community designation.

Clean Energy Community Designation

In March of 2017 Albany County demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by becoming the first municipality in the Capital Region to earn NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Community designation.

The Clean Energy Communities initiative supports local governments in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in their communities.

Albany County earned this designation by:

Adopting a benchmarking policy to track and publish energy use for more than 40 County Buildings;
Undertaking a community-based Solarize campaign;
Establishing an Energize NY Finance Program; and
Installing electric vehicle charging station at the Albany County Airport.

Certified Climate Smart Communities (CSCs)

In September of 2021, Albany County was certified as a “Climate Smart Community,” as part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities Program. These municipalities are those that take meaningful action to prevent and prepare for climate change.

Albany County received its designation as a Climate Smart Community for 30 actions already taken over the years from nine different categories to address climate change. Those actions include transitioning its fleet to electric vehicles, building electric vehicle charge station infrastructure throughout the county, pursuing renewable energy, encouraging recycling, and land conservation.

Green Purchasing Community

In January of 2024, Albany County became an official member of the Green Purchasing Communities (GPC). This program aims to make it easier for local governments to purchase commodities, services, and technology that have a lower environmental impact.

Members of the GPC program pledge to follow the GreenNY purchasing specifications that New York State government uses in order to protect public health and the environment. These criteria identify products that: minimize the risks of discharging pollutants into the environment, maximizes the use of recycled materials, and priorities renewable resources.

In addition, Albany County can accrue points toward its Climate Smart Communities Certification by signing up for the Green Purchasing Communities program.

Albany County Climate Resiliency Plan

The County Executive's Office has developed a Climate Resiliency Plan for Albany County to address risks and vulnerabilities associated with an increase in frequency and severity of storm events, sea level rise, flooding, and other climate-related hazards.

With these risks and vulnerabilities in mind, the Plan identifies projects and strategies to build resilience, to help us adjust how we live, work, and play, and to keep us all safe from the impacts of climate change now and into the future.

Albany County Climate Resiliency Plan

Albany County Hazard Mitigation Plan

The County has begun the planning and development of updating the Albany County Hazard Mitigation Plan, scheduled to be completed in 2024.

The first Public Information Meetings for the 2024 update of the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan were held on June 4, 2024. You can view the recorded sessions below:

We are collecting feedback to ensure the plan addresses public priorities.

Please complete our short public input survey and let us know your thoughts!