Orange County Reports on Sustainability Plan Progress

Orange County released its first Annual Sustainability Report on December 15. The report documents the progress made since the Sustainable Orange County Plan, “Our Home for Life,” (Plan) was accepted by Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Board of County Commissioners in May 2014.

The Plan provides the vision, goal and strategy for achieving a more prosperous, healthy, livable and connected community. It outlines incremental and transformative changes for the County through 2040 to improve the quality of life for current and future Orange County residents and visitors. Orange County has been implementing this plan in partnership and collaboration with public and private sectors.

The Annual Sustainability Report highlights a number of key accomplishments, including the opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the $300 million INVEST in Our Home for Life initiative, efforts to end veteran homelessness, the advent and expansion of SunRail, and many more. The report provides updates on the progress for each of the seven target areas of impact: Arts & Culture, Built Environment, Civic Engagement, Community, Education, Mobility and Natural Resources. In addition, to covering achievements to date, the information looks ahead to key transformative initiatives that are on the horizon.

“Orange County continues our mission to create the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Mayor Jacobs said. “We are committed to leaving our children and grandchildren with a quality of life that is even better than we enjoy today. As they review the first Annual Sustainability Report, I trust that our citizens will share with me a deep pride in the significant accomplishments that have been made thus far, as well as great excitement for what lies ahead.”

Former Orange County Commissioner John Martinez, director of public finance for PNC Capital Markets LLC, assumed the role of chair of Orange County’s Sustainability Advisory Board after the board met for the first time in February 2015. He and eight other board members oversee the implementation of the Sustainability Plan. He also chaired the ad hoc committee that guided development of the “Our Home for Life” Plan.

“Orange County’s sustained growth and status as a premier global destination provides both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges,” Martinez said. “It is vitally important that Orange County shapes growth in a way that promotes long-term economic prosperity, preserves our natural resources for future generations and stimulates a diverse and innovative culture. We should celebrate what has been accomplished thus far as we continue to work together to make sustainability a reality in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, faith communities and other organizations.”

Orange County plans to produce future sustainability reports to cover each County fiscal year. For more information on Our Home for Life, please visit Orange County’s website, www.ochomeforlife.net.