local news
Browse local coverage of the Office of Sustainability, Thrive Indianapolis, and other climate and sustainability news.
WFYI: Former Blue Indy sites will support city's move toward a greener transportation network
The city used public input to name future uses for the Blue Indy charging stations - including electric vehicle charging stations, placemaking and bike or scooter sharing. More than 1,200 residents responded to a survey about the Blue Indy sites in their neighborhoods.
IBJ: City to spend $25M on trail, greenway and road projects
Indianapolis is putting $25 million toward a list of nine trail, greenway and road projects that could make it easier for bikers and pedestrians alike to get where they need to go—to work, play and run the mundane errands in between.
IBJ: Thousands of new city trees to go where data shows they're needed most
The Indianapolis affiliate of not-for-profit Keep America Beautiful is using data on tree cover, litter, illegal dumping, community engagement and a dozen socioeconomic indicators to target where some of those thousands of saplings will go.
IBJ: Indy puts millions toward anti-flooding projects
Indy’s City-County Council approved $50 million in new bonds this month to tackle a backlog of drainage projects across the city.
IndyStar: As climate change makes Indianapolis hotter, some communities will suffer more than others
The rising heat, brought on by climate change, is also putting Hoosiers at greater risk of heat-related health complications. But not everyone has the same risk.
WFYI: Transit Oriented Development Goal of Zoning Amendments
Called transit oriented development, the trend in city planning aims to create more compact and sustainable communities close to mass transit options. In Indianapolis, the new bus rapid transit lines - Red, Blue and Purple - are the focus.
IndyStar: Hours after alarming UN climate report, City-County Council passes environmental committee
Just hours after a United Nation’s report sparked alarm worldwide about the quickening climate change crisis, the Indianapolis City-County Council passed a proposal to create a standing committee Monday night with the goal of mitigating global warming’s impact on the city.
USA TODAY: Hundreds of U.S. cities adopted climate plans. Few have met the goals, but it's not too late.
Grim warnings from the world’s leading climate scientists on Monday make clear the Earth faces irreversible changes from global warming and stress the need for immediate and wide-scale greenhouse gas reductions to avoid further damage.
WRTV: Mayor's initiative Operation Night Light is nearing completion, already bringing relief to residents
Converting more than 27,000 existing streets to energy-efficient led lights, as well as installing nearly 4,000 new lights. With ONL the city is hoping to reap many benefits. Like a safer environment, the project will also help the city meet its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Broad Ripple Magazine: Eco-Friendly Initiative Helps Indy Live Sustainably
Working sustainable living into everyday life can feel like a daunting task. The challenge seems almost too large to overcome when the focus is not just on the local community, but also on the climate and other communities across the globe.
IndyStar: "Bike lanes, electric vehicles: 9 ways Indianapolis has improved on sustainability goals"
For the first time since its expansive sustainability plan was adopted in 2019, the city’s Office of Sustainability has released a report updating its progress.
IndyStar: '2020 was a curveball': Indy's new sustainability director sets plans for climate change
The new director for Indianapolis’ Office of Sustainability came to the city to help set plans for climate action. Now, she’s staying to follow through on it.
IndyStar: Indianapolis will get its share of $70 million prize to tackle sustainability goals
Indianapolis is one of 25 cities that will share a prize worth $70 million to accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change. The award was announced today by the Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation as part of the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge.