Skip to main content

City of Houston Scoring Wins in Green Initiatives

Published Mar 29, 2022 by Brina Morales

Downtown skyline for slider

Houston is making progress in its efforts to building a more sustainable city. Next month will mark two years since the City of Houston released its Climate Action Plan (CAP), a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, become carbon neutral by 2050, and lead the global energy transition.

The City recently released a two-year update on the strategy, in addition to a new digital interface that tracks progress on the initiative. The digital tracker, developed by Rice University’s Institute for Urban Research, shows Houston has met three out of 12 targets under the Climate Action Plan:

  • Target 5:  Attract or incubate 50 Energy 2.0 companies in Greater Houston by 2025. According to the tracker, 30 Energy 2.0 companies either relocated or launched here in 2021. So far this year, at least two additional companies have announced headquarter relocations to Houston.
  • Target 8:  Double the number of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) projects by 2025. The PACE program incentivizes owners of commercial, industrial and multi-family residential properties to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects. According to the tracker, eight PACE projects were supported in 2021, reaching the target.
  • Target 12:  Adopt a long-range solid waste plan in 2020 that improves recycling and waste reduction. 

Houston has made progress on several other goals, including increasing tree planting and converting non-emergency, light-duty municipal vehicles to electric. In February, the City announced it spent more than $899,000 to purchase 97 battery-powered electric vehicles to replace its aging fleet, which adds to the 40 existing EVs. The goal is to replace all vehicles with electric by 2030.

“We still have a long way to go to reach our Climate Action Plan target of all non-emergency, light-duty vehicles, but we are determined to continue leading by example,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a press release.

The new vehicles are not expected to arrive until 2023 due to global supply chain issues, according to the release.

“Over an 8-year life, each EV is expected to save the City approximately $16,000 in total cost of operation and reduce tailpipe and upstream greenhouse gas emissions by 25 tons compared to a conventional, gasoline powered vehicle,” said Gary Glasscock, director of fleet management.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) recently awarded a $22 million contract to Nova Bus, a Canadian-based company, to produce 20 electric buses. The buses are expected to be on Houston roads by the end of 2022, according to a release. One of METRO’s goals is to procure only zero-emission buses by 2030.

Efforts by the City of Houston and METRO complement other initiatives in the greater Houston area, including the Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative, a strategic regional blueprint for leading the global energy transition to a low-carbon world.
 

Related News

Living In Houston

Rising in Houston: Projects to Look Forward to in 2025 and Beyond

1/10/25
Houston is a city that thrives on transformation, and 2025 promises to be no exception. From groundbreaking developments redefining sustainability to multi-use destinations enhancing urban walkability, Houston’s skyline and neighborhoods are set for exciting changes. Here’s a closer look at some of the most anticipated developments shaping the city in the years to come.   Tony Marron Park  The revitalization of Tony Marron Park is at the heart of the $310 million Buffalo Bayou East project that will extend the park into Houston’s East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods. The plans for Tony Marron Park include nearly doubling the park’s size, growing it from 19 acres to 40. As a central hub for Buffalo Bayou East, the redesigned park will feature sprawling lawns, civic spaces with soccer fields, vibrant public art, a multi-age play area, an interactive water playscape, a barbecue pavilion with a picnic grove and more. Construction is set to begin as the park closes this month.  Click to expand One Bridgeland Green  One Bridgeland Green is a key feature of Bridgeland’s Village Green at Bridgeland Central, a mixed-use development located within the 925-acre master-planned community in Cypress. This innovative project will be the region’s first mass timber office building, designed to significantly reduce environmental impact by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and lowering annual water consumption by 80 percent. The development is on track for completion this summer.     Click to expand GreenStreet  GreenStreet, the four-block mixed-use district in downtown managed by Texas-based real estate firm Rebees, is slated for a multimillion-dollar makeover. Planned updates include converting the former Forever 21 building into a pedestrian-friendly alleyway filled with dining, retail and nightlife attractions. Additional enhancements feature the installation of rooftop solar panels, improved landscaping with lush gardens and upgraded office spaces with multi-level amenities. Phase one of construction is expected to commence in Q1 2025 and be completed by Q3.  Click to expand Swift Building  The former Swift and Co. building, located in Houston’s Heights neighborhood, is set to be transformed into a 4.47-acre mixed-use development. The new Swift Building will encompass over 60,000 square feet dedicated to retail, office and restaurant space, all overlooking the popular Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail nearby. The project is set to be completed this year.   Park Eight Place  The former Halliburton campus in the Westchase District is set to be transformed into Park Eight Place, a walkable, 70-acre mixed-use destination. The $1 billion project will feature a mix of residential, retail, hotel and office space with access to nature and recreational amenities in the adjacent 200-acre Arthur Storey Park. Construction on roads and utilities is scheduled to begin this year.  Click to expand More Space: Main Street 2.0  The More Space: Main Street 2.0 project aims to increase Houston’s walkability by transforming seven blocks in downtown into a pedestrian-friendly destination. The project will extend Main Street from Commerce to Rusk and add four additional blocks from Rusk to Allen’s Landing, bringing the area to span a total of 11 blocks. This expansion will permanently block off traffic to the area, creating a promenade where people can safely eat, shop and gather. Construction is scheduled to start this year and expected to finish ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches.  Click to expand San Jacinto Marketplace  The former San Jacinto Mall in Baytown is getting a makeover. The 105-acre project, dubbed San Jacinto Marketplace, will include 500,000 square feet of retail and dining space, and a public green space. Pedestrian walkways will also be constructed to connect key areas throughout the marketplace, enhancing accessibility and walkability. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed next year.   Ritz-Carlton Residences  The Ritz-Carlton Residences, the first stand-alone of its kind in Texas, began construction in The Woodlands last year. Nestled along Lake Woodlands, the luxury condominium offers 39 floor plans and an array of upscale amenities, including a wine cellar, library, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, sauna, multi-sport simulator, dog park and more. Completion of the project is anticipated in 2027.  Learn more about why businesses are choosing Houston and what it means to live, work and play in the Bayou City. 
Read More

Related Events

Executive Partners