Sustainability
Sustainability is about meeting the needs of a region’s people today without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. The work focuses on people, planet and prosperity, in interconnected sectors: environmental health, economic resilience, and social well-being.
What would you like to learn?
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is about meeting the needs of a region’s people today without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. The work focuses on people, planet and prosperity, in interconnected sectors: environmental health, economic resilience, and social well-being.
Some of the most pressing challenges facing communities are under the umbrella of sustainability, including traffic congestion, sprawl, carbon emissions, and inequities in access to housing, jobs, and transportation.
Environmentally, sustainability includes reducing pollution, conservation of natural resources, protecting biodiversity, and addressing climate change. Economically, it means creating systems and businesses that can thrive long term without jeopardizing resources or creating instability. Socially, it involves equitable access to opportunity, health, safety, education, and quality of life.
Cities, businesses, nonprofits, governments, and individuals can make progress on sustainability by addressing renewable energy, affordable and efficient housing, responsible supply chains, public transit investments, workforce development, food security efforts, and corporate practices that reduce waste and emissions.
Without thoughtful planning, the growth of communities could lead to worsening congestion, increased air pollution, and greater social disparities. Growth, when managed with sustainability in mind, can be a benefit to everyone and pave a path to environmental stewardship and social equity for generations to come.
Key Facts
Scroll down for key facts on sustainability
48 Days
The number of days Charlotte is projected to experience temperatures above 95°F by 2050 — more than double current levels
30%
per-capita decline in Charlotte’s greenhouse gas emissions from 2019 to 2023, driven by cleaner energy, and adoption of electric/hybrid vehicles
55%
of benchmarked City of Charlotte municipal buildings reduced their energy use intensity from 2022-23
47%
of Charlotte’s land is covered by tree canopy
$5.9 million
Estimated annual benefits from Charlotte’s public trees through stormwater reduction, energy savings, and air pollution removal
100K+
tons of materials are diverted from landfills each year by Mecklenburg County
What is happening now?
In thriving cities like Charlotte, sustainability is increasingly important in shaping civic conversations around transportation, development, energy, housing, water use and economic mobility. Growth can add benefits long term if communities remain livable, resilient, and inclusive.
The city’s primary roadmap is the Strategic Energy Action Plan Plus (SEAP+), adopted in 2025. It sets goals to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 72% by 2035, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Charlotte is also working toward sourcing 100% of electricity used in municipal buildings from zero-carbon sources by 2030.
Key SEAP actions include expanding solar energy projects, transitioning city fleets and buses towards electric vehicles, improving building energy efficiency, and increasing renewable energy generation across the region.
Charlotte is also working to address extreme heat, flooding, and equitable tree canopy coverage, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Transportation and land use are central to the strategy. The city supports adding transit-oriented development and multimodal transportation options (biking, walking, driving, etc.) to reduce car dependence and emissions substantially by 2040.
Other efforts include waste reduction programs, water conservation, sustainable building policies, environmental justice initiatives like GreenPrints, and preservation and renewal of Charlotte’s urban tree canopy — one of the city’s most beneficial natural climate assets.
Donate or volunteer now
To donate and volunteer with nonprofits working in Sustainability, visit SHARE Charlotte’s directory for Sustainability, Conservation, Air Quality, Water Quality, Gardening, and Local Farms.
Take Action
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Learn Who is Leading
Give Back Financially
Volunteer
Support sustainability policy prioritization
Practice Sustainability
Align Priorities
Starting points
These six organizations are good starting points for someone new to this topic to learn more.
Charlotte is home to a growing network of people and organizations who believe in building a stronger, more connected community for all.
Explore more resources below.
Explore More
Preserves spaces and provides access to affordable outdoor recreation and education opportunities.
Manages a network of urban farms it uses to strengthen local food systems in the Carolinas.
A leader in raptor rehabilitation, education, and research, its Raptor Hospital has admitted more than 26,000 patients.
A project to save land and provide inclusive access to nature now includes 1,600 miles of connected trails.
Protects wildlife habitats and farmland in the Southern Piedmont, improving water and air quality.
Preserves and restores the waters of the Catawba-Wateree River basin through advocacy and engagement.
Charlotte-area coalition that advocates for clean energy, carbon-reduction strategies, and climate justice.
Strategic Energy Action Plan outlines goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean energy.
Advocacy group that focuses on improving air quality and environmental justice in North Carolina.
A hands-on science museum packed with interactive exhibits, an IMAX Dome theatre, live experiments and animal encounters.
Dedicated to building a more sustainable and resilient city through innovation, collaboration, and community action; home of Innovation Barn.
Works with businesses, schools and local government to create programs that beautify Charlotte.
Dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems focusing on birds and other wildlife.
Provides data and tech solutions, oversees waste reduction efforts, and manages water and air resources.
Responsible for managing solid waste processing, overseeing full-service drop off centers, and community outreach efforts focusing on sustainability and waste reduction.
Promotes clean energy, protects wildlife, and preserves wild places through activism and education.
Funds innovative research, projects, thinking and doing that leads to a great quality of life for everyone in the Charlotte region and beyond.
Tools and Resources
Everything you need in one place. Browse articles, reports, and tools that support your journey.
Lingo to Know
Every topic has its own vocabulary. Learn a few key words here so you can explore with confidence.
Carbon neutrality
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emitted greenhouse gases with reductions or offsets such as renewable energy or reforestation.
Climate resilience
A community’s ability to prepare for, withstand, and recover from climate-related impacts like heat, flooding, drought, or severe storms.
Environmental justice
The meaningful involvement of all communities in environmental policies, regardless of race, income, or neighborhood.
Renewable energy
Energy produced from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed.
Sustainability
Meeting current needs while protecting environmental, economic, and social resources for future generations.
Tree canopy
The layer of leaves, branches, and trees covering a city, helping reduce heat, improve air quality and absorb stormwater.
Download the Sustainability folio
Special thanks to cover artist, Anju Jain!
Connecting the Dots
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Builder Button → Share Your Feedback With Us
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We didn’t build this alone – and we’re not done yet. This site grows with input from real people across Charlotte. Got feedback? A topic we missed? A story to share? Click the Builder Button below.
