RELEASE: City's Office of Sustainability Publishes Fourth Annual Thrive Report

Metrics and data from Indy's sustainability and resilience action plan updated to mark Earth Day 2024
 


INDIANAPOLIS –  Today, the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability released its fourth annual report on metrics outlined in Thrive Indianapolis ("Thrive"), the first sustainability and resilience action plan in the city's history. Reporting on the previous year’s accomplishments, and published to coincide with Earth Day, the 2023 Thrive Annual Report is available to read here.

"Since the original Thrive plan was unveiled, we've made incredible progress," said Mayor Joe Hogsett. "And while this report demonstrates improvement, we must still maintain our commitment if we are to realize a clean, healthy, livable future for generations to come. Central Indiana is not immune to the effects of the climate crisis, and this progress report can help shape solutions."

The original 59 action items, nine of which have been achieved to date, are measured by 27 annually reported output metrics. These output metrics include:

  • Number of certified green buildings in Marion County

  • Number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations

  • Number of youth participating in summer and after school recreational programs

  • Percent of residents with health insurance

  • Miles of bike lanes

  • Number of electric vehicles registered in Indianapolis

  • Total tons of material recycled

The 2023 Thrive Annual Report also includes highlights on various community programs and projects that demonstrate collective progress toward climate resilience and carbon mitigation under the eight Thrive elements: Built Environment, Economy, Energy, Food & Agriculture, Natural Resources, Public Health & Safety, Transportation & Land Use, and Waste & Recycling. These additional highlights include:

  • Affordable/workforce housing advancements

  • Indy DPW hiring of crew members focused on climate-related operations

  • Launch of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund, the state's first nonprofit green bank

  • The Alley House, an award-winning affordable, efficient duplex designed by BSU students on the city's east side

  • The LEED-Silver certification of the Courthouse at the Community Justice Campus

  • USDA plant hardiness zone change

  • $12 million National Forest Service Grant awarded to Indy DPW

  • Clear Water, Clean Choices community guidelines

  • Electric maintenance tools purchased by City for greenspace management

  • Indiana Pacers Bikeshare announcement of 250 e-bikes to join program's fleet

  • City-County Council's Environmental Sustainability Committee meetings focused on recycling and composting

Indianapolis community members and organizations interested in collaborating or forming partnerships that will contribute to a stronger, more resilient city are invited to email sustainindy@indy.gov to discuss opportunities.

Additional updates on Thrive and related partnerships can be found by signing up for email updates at ThriveIndianapolis.com/News or by following the Office of Sustainability on social media.


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Lindsay Trameri