Serving in this role, Gresham Smith coordinates directly with Department personnel to advance sustainability. We host weekly coordination meetings to establish priorities and focus for near-term action items. To support the long-term viability of the program, our team developed a formalized approach for documenting accomplishments since the SMP’s inception in 2015, summarizing progress towards goals, setting new goals and activities, and prioritizing activities across each of the SMP’s sustainability focus areas. We’ve prepared and delivered engaging SMP update reports, presentations, infographics, articles, website updates and timely technical briefings, which have helped to garner input and build program support both internally and externally.
We also provide technical support to help the Department achieve and maintain Level 4 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program, as well as finalize the Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon. In close coordination with Department staff in multiple cross-functional areas, we helped formulate the approach, collected data, developed the first emission inventories for DVT and GYR, provided guidance on stakeholder partnership and carbon management, reviewed work performed by consultants, and communicated the outcomes.
Gresham Smith’s perspective has been critical for ensuring the Department’s sustainability commitments were achievable and meet the requirements of multiple programs. Acknowledging that the operations of the Department’s business partners have a large impact on achieving shared sustainability goals, we’re helping revitalize the voluntary Green Business Partners Program to encourage and recognize business partners who are implementing sustainable practices. Through working group sessions, we helped develop the program approach and identified practices that aligned with each of the SMP’s sustainability focus areas.