Covington Commits to Sustainability

By Maurice Carter, Sustainable Newton President

The Triple Bottom Line

From our early days as individuals uniting to change our world by acting locally in our community, Sustainable Newton has defined sustainability along two dimensions:

1. Applying the "3 Ps"  or "triple bottom line" to important decisions and actions, giving the same consideration to people (society) and planet (environment) that we give to profit (economy)
2. Making choices and acting in ways that consider long-term implications for generations who come after us.

We believe this philosophy can guide individuals, households, businesses, and local governments to make better choices for the overall health and well-being of our society.  Last night, the Covington City Council made a clear statement they agree, by committing to these same principles in the decision making and operational choices of the city.

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The Sustainable Newton Board of Directors and our members are grateful to the Covington City Council for voting unanimously (6-0) Monday night to adopt this resolution.  We especially thank Council Member Susie Keck, City Manager Scott Andrews, and Mayor Steve Horton for championing this important step.  Even more encouraging was the common message from council members that this resolution is only a first step.  We agree.  But, it is a huge first step!

The full text of the resolution adopted by the council can be seen below.

WHEREAS, the City of Covington has been a growing, prospering, vibrant community for almost 200 years; and

WHEREAS, the City of Covington is a City of Ethics; and
 
WHEREAS, the City of Covington Mayor, City Council, and city staff are committed to our shared vision of preserving the value of small-town life while preparing an innovative community with access to the world; and
 
WHEREAS, the City of Covington Mayor, City Council, and citizens recognize our considerable debt to those who came before us and whose wise planning and hard work left to us the economic vitality, quality of life, and natural environment we enjoy today; and

WHEREAS, the City of Covington Mayor, City Council, and citizens are committed to planning and working diligently in sustainable ways to pass along that same gift to those generations who will succeed us; and

WHEREAS, the City of Covington Mayor and City Council recognize the sustainability of our prosperity, quality of life, and healthy environment depends on their continued focus on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of every decision we make and each action we take; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council welcome the collaboration and support of citizens and non-profit organizations striving to preserve our natural environment, promote social justice, and encourage balanced, sustainable economic development;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Covington commit to making sustainability a core consideration in how we operate by taking the following steps:

• Applying a decision-making process that explicitly examines economic, social, and environmental implications of actions taken by the Mayor and City Council.
• Proactively recognizing conflicting economic, social, and environmental interests in those decisions and striving to manage tradeoffs between those interests in a way that maintains long-term balance for the good of all current citizens and with consideration for impacts to future generations of citizens.
• Initiating and supporting programs that reduce the environmental impact of City of Covington government operations while also saving money for taxpayers.
• Leveraging the insights, passion, and innovative ideas of citizens and business leaders by facilitating dialog and collaboration around key issues and opportunities for sustainability in our community.