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Build a future where sustainability is the norm for every community.
Our Work
The Sustainable States Network enhances the power of local governments to advance education and action on sustainability, energy, and climate mitigation and resilience.
We connect statewide, regional, and national local government sustainability programs that collectively support community action at scale.
The Network enables members to: Share resources and best practices, build capacity, foster and scale the success of local initiatives, and collaborate on projects that advance shared goals.
Member and Affiliate Programs
Impact of the Network
Network members support over 2000 communities across the nation, engaging local governments as change agents for progress on sustainability, resilience, and climate mitigation. The results impact more than 65 million people across the US.
Kelsey Waidhas, Green Communities Program
“I am able to provide more quality technical assistance to my communities seeing certification because of the knowledge and resource sharing through the Network.”
Joanne Bissetta, Massachusetts Green Communities
“I was inspired by other member states’ activities and used their programs as a model for our revamped Regional Energy Planning Assistance grants.”
Brandy Espinola, Sustainable Maryland
“We use the shared website and so were able to leverage other program’s improved features in the 10th anniversary launch of our new website.”
Importance of the Network
Across the US, municipalities are taking action to address climate change and become more resilient. State- and municipal-level networks and programs support this work by:
Providing information, tools, and best practices tailored to state-specific local authorities
Connecting local government staff and elected officials across neighboring communities to problem-solve and collaborate
Connecting communities to state-specific resources, including interns, fellows, funding, and technical assistance
Ensuring communities don’t have to tackle complex challenges alone
How the Network Works
Through the Sustainable States Network, members learn, share successes, support each other, and access resources to enhance their state and regional programs while addressing challenges.
As a peer-learning network focused on making sustainability the norm, we focus on:
Driving Collective Impact
Mobilizing action across hundreds of cities
Collaborating on shared projects to increase the impact of individual programs
Centering Equity and Shared Learning
Prioritizing social equity in our work
Fostering new areas of sustainable development practice
Providing Tools and Visibility
Developing shared tools and resources for local governments
Sharing evaluation tools to accelerate success
Creating visibility and a unified voice for municipally-focused work and impact