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rvagreen@rva.gov

 

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Process OverviewRVAgreen 2050 is the City of Richmond's equity-centered climate action and resilience planning initiative. RVAgreen 2050 will identify actions that equitably reduce pollution and help the community adapt to extreme heat, precipitation, and flooding. 

The following key groups will guide the RVAgreen 2050 planning process. An open call was put out to the community for applications to participate in these groups in August 2020.

All meetings of the groups below are open to the public. Click on the tabs above to learn more.

Demographics Report: The Office of Sustainability recognizes that these groups (the Roundtable and Working Groups) do not represent everyone in the the Richmond community. Check out a comparison of demographic information for these groups. There will be many additional opportunities for all Richmond community members to engage in RVAgreen 2050 development.

Racial Equity & Environmental Justice Roundtable

A group of Richmond residents, with at least one representing each City Council District, who are paid for their time and lived experience expertise, with the following roles:

  • Help the City center equity in the planning process and elevate frontline community voices
  • Inform and guide planning process and provide recommendations for RVAgreen 2050
  • Serve as liaisons to ensure community needs and assets are integrated into planning process

The Roundtable will help us reach communities on the frontlines of climate change - those who are hit first and worst by the impacts of environmental injustice and the climate crisis. These communities confront many vulnerabilities, including racism, poverty, housing insecurity, and more, which intensify climate threats. These communities are also underrepresented in City of Richmond planning processes for many reasons, which may include: 1) traditional meetings conflict with work or home schedules, 2) the policy and planning processes sometimes use technical language that is difficult to understand – regardless of educational or income level, or 3) people feel burnout from participating in past efforts that have sometimes seen limited results from the efforts. In Richmond, these individuals are typically those who are lower- income, Hispanic and Latino, and/or Black and African-American.

Working Groups

Five groups with at least eight members providing topical expertise on RVAgreen 2050 goals and strategies to the Roundtable. They will assist with translating community priorities into equitable climate action and resilience strategies.

Topics:

Community - Centering community priorities, community resilience

Potential topics such as: well-paying, sustainable jobs; affordable and sustainable housing; education; health and safety; neighborhood beautification

Buildings & Energy - Clean and equitable energy sources; healthy, resilient, zero-carbon buildings

Potential topics such as: renewable energy; grid security; housing; building energy efficiency

Environment - Ecosystem resilience, regeneration, and conservation

Potential topics such as: green space and trees; biodiversity; water quality and conservation

Transportation - Clean and equitable mobility systems, infrastructure, and land use

Potential topics such as: public transportation; biking and walking; electric vehicles; densification; transit-oriented development

Waste - Zero waste, circular economy

Potential topics such as: reducing, reusing, and recycling; composting; circular economy

The Racial Equity & Environmental Justice Roundtable is a group of 12 Richmond residents, with at least one representing each City Council District, who are paid for their time and lived experience expertise, with the following roles:

  • Help the City center equity in the planning process and elevate frontline community voices
  • Inform and guide planning process and provide recommendations for RVAgreen 2050
  • Serve as liaisons to ensure community needs and assets are integrated into planning process

The Roundtable will help us reach communities on the frontlines of climate change - those who are hit first and worst by the impacts of environmental injustice and the climate crisis. These communities confront many vulnerabilities, including racism, poverty, housing insecurity, and more, which intensify climate threats. These communities are also underrepresented in City of Richmond planning processes for many reasons, which may include: 1) traditional meetings conflict with work or home schedules, 2) the policy and planning processes sometimes use technical language that is difficult to understand – regardless of educational or income level, or 3) people feel burnout from participating in past efforts that have sometimes seen limited results from the efforts. In Richmond, these individuals are typically those who are lower- income, Hispanic and Latino, and/or Black and African-American.

Transparency: All meetings of the Roundtable are open to the public. Please contact Brianne Fisher for more information and to sign up to attend or speak at a Roundtable meeting.

Date Location Materials

10/27/2020

4-6 pm

Virtual

RVAgreen 2050 Introduction

RVAgreen 2050 Climate Action Overview

RVAgreen 2050 Resilience Overview

11/10/2020

4-6 pm

Virtual

RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Index

Roundtable Discussion Slides 11.10.2020

11/24/2020

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 11.24.2020

12/8/2020

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 12.8.2020

12/22/2020

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 12.22.2020

1/5/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 1.5.2021

1/19/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 1.19.2021

2/2/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 2.2.2021

3/16/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 3.16.2021

3/30/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 3.30.2021

5/18/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 5.18.2021

8/17/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 8.17.2021

10/12/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 10.12.2021

12/14/2021

4-6 pm

Virtual Roundtable Discussion Slides 12.14.2021
More meetings TBA    

 

Purpose: Five Working Groups will provide topical expertise on RVAgreen 2050 goals and strategies to the Racial Equity & Environmental Justice Roundtable. They will also assist with translating community priorities into equitable climate action and resilience strategies; identifying opportunities for community engagement and community capacity building; and building government accountability.

Composition: Five groups with at least eight members providing topical expertise on RVAgreen 2050 goals and strategies to the Roundtable. Among the members will be:

  • Community Co-Chair: A resident of Richmond with topical expertise who will work with the other co-chair and coordinator to review meeting agendas, facilitate meetings, and report to the Roundtable 
  • City Co-Chair: A City of Richmond staff member with topical expertise who will work with the other co-chair and coordinator to review meeting agendas, facilitate meetings, and report to the Roundtable
  • At least one Roundtable member: A resident of Richmond who is also on the Roundtable who will lend their lived experience expertise and ideas to the Working Group
  • Additional members: Residents of Richmond, people who work in Richmond, and additional City of Richmond staff members with topical expertise who will help develop equitable climate action and resilience strategies
  • Coordinators: Office of Sustainability staff members who will manage group logistics including setting meeting agendas, taking notes, communications, and meeting facilitation along with the co-chairs 

Topics: The Working Groups are divided into 5 broad topic areas listed below. Additionally, there are cross-sectional topics, such as racial equity, engagement and communications, government accountability, community wealth, affordable housing, and health, that have representation across multiple topic areas. 

Transparency: All Working Group meetings are open to the public and meeting materials will be posted on this webpage. Office of Sustainability staff coordinators for each group are listed below - contact us for more information.

The Buildings & Energy Working Group will address topics such as renewable energy, building energy efficiency, housing, and electric grid security.

Office of Sustainability staff coordinator: Dawn Oleksy

Date Location Topic Materials Recording

11/6/2020

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement For their first meeting, all RVAgreen 2050 Working Groups participated in Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement training facilitated by Virginia Community Voice N/A

11/18/2020

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Virtual Process overview, topics, materials, research needs RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 11.18.2020 Link

12/16/2020

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 vision RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 12.16.2020 Link

1/6/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 Equity Screening Tool RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 1.6.2021 Link

1/20/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Climate Vulnerability & Risk Assessment RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 1.20.2021 Link

2/3/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Drafting objectives RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 2.3.2021 Link

2/17/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 2.17.2021 Link

3/3/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 3.3.2021 Link

3/24/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Incorporating Roundtable and city staff feedback into draft strategies RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 3.24.2021 Link

5/26/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Reviewing community feedback and prioritizing strategies RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 5.26.2021 Link

6/16/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Drafting impacts of prioritized strategies RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 6.16.2021 Link

7/14/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 1 RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 7.14.2021 Link

8/4/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 2 RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 8.4.2021 Link

8/25/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Indicators and Accountability   Link

11/17/2021

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Plan Deliverables RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 11.17.2021 Link

2/9/2022

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Introducing the Draft Plan RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 02.09.2022 Link

6/29/2022

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Virtual Engagement Results and Next Steps RVAgreen 2050 Buildings & Energy Working Group Meeting Slides 06.29.2022 Link

The Community Working Group will address topics such as well-paying and sustainable jobs, affordable and sustainable housing, education, health and safety, and neighborhood beautification.

Office of Sustainability staff coordinator: Brianne Fisher.

Date Location Topic Materials Recording

11/6/2020

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement For their first meeting, all RVAgreen 2050 Working Groups participated in Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement training facilitated by Virginia Community Voice N/A

11/20/2020

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual Process overview, topics, materials, research needs RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 11.20.2020 Link

12/18/2020

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 vision RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 12.18.2020 Link

1/8/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 Equity Screening Tool RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 1.8.2021 Link

1/22/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Climate Vulnerability & Risk Assessment RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 1.22.2021 Link

2/16/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting objectives

Rescheduled due to inclement weather closure

RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 2.16.2021

Link

2/26/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 2.26.2021 Link

3/12/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 3.12.2021 Link

3/26/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Incorporating Roundtable and city staff feedback into draft strategies RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 3.26.2021 Link

5/28/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Reviewing community feedback and prioritizing strategies RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 5.28.2021 Link

6/25/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting impacts of prioritized strategies RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 6.25.2021 Link

7/16/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 1 RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 7.16.2021 Link

8/6/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 2 RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 8.6.2021 Link

8/27/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Indicators and Accountability   Link

11/19/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Plan Deliverables RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 11.19.2021 Link

2/11/2022

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual  Introducing the Draft Plan RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 02.11.2022 Link

6/24/2022

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Engagement Results and Next Steps RVAgreen 2050 Community Working Group Meeting Slides 06.24.2022 Link

The Environment Working Group will address topics such as green space, tree canopy, biodiversity, and water quality and conservation.

Office of Sustainability staff coordinator: Brianne Fisher.

Date Location Topic Materials Recording

11/6/2020

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement For their first meeting, all RVAgreen 2050 Working Groups participated in Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement training facilitated by Virginia Community Voice N/A

11/16/2020

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual Process overview, topics, materials, research needs RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 11.16.2020 Link

12/14/2020

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 vision, equity tool RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 12.14.2020 Link

1/4/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 Equity Screening Tool RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 1.4.2021 Link

1/25/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Climate Vulnerability & Risk Assessment RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 1.25.2021 Link

2/8/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting objectives RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 2.8.2021 Link

2/22/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 2.22.2021 Link

3/3/2021

3 - 5 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 3.3.2021 Link

3/22/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Incorporating Roundtable and city staff feedback into draft strategies RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 3.22.2021 Link

5/24/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Reviewing community feedback and prioritizing strategies RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 5.24.2021 Link

6/14/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting impacts of prioritized strategies RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 6.14.2021 Link

7/12/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 7.12.2021 Link

8/2/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 8.2.2021 Link

8/23/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Indicators and Accountability    

11/15/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Plan Deliverables RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 11.15.2021 Link

2/7/2022

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Introducing the Draft Plan RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 02.07.2022 Link

6/27/22

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Engagement Results and Next Steps RVAgreen 2050 Environment Working Group Meeting Slides 06.27.22 Link

The Transportation and Mobility Working Group will address topics such as public transportation, biking and walking, electric vehicles, densification, and transit-oriented development.

Office of Sustainability staff coordinator: Dawn Oleksy

Date Location Topic Materials Recording

11/6/2020

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement For their first meeting, all RVAgreen 2050 Working Groups participated in Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement training facilitated by Virginia Community Voice N/A

11/19/2020

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual Process overview, topics, materials, research needs RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 11.19.2020 Link

12/17/2020

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 vision RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 12.18.2020 Link

1/7/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 Equity Screening Tool RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 1.7.2021 Link

1/21/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Climate Vulnerability & Risk Assessment RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 1.21.2021 Link

2/4/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting objectives RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 2.4.2021 Link

2/18/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies CANCELLED  

3/4/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 3.4.2021 Link

3/25/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Incorporating Roundtable and city staff feedback into draft strategies RVAgreen 2050 Transportation Working Group Meeting Slides 3.25.2021 Link

5/27/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Reviewing community feedback and prioritizing strategies RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 5.27.2021 Link

6/17/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Drafting impacts of prioritized strategies RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 6.17.2021 Link

7/15/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 1 RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 7.15.2021 Link

8/5/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 2 RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 8.5.2021 Link

8/26/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Indicators and Accountability   Link

11/18/2021

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Plan Deliverables RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 11.18.2021 Link

2/10/2022

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Introducing the Draft Plan RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 02.10.2022 Link

6/30/22

1 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Engagement Results and Next Steps RVAgreen 2050 Transportation & Mobility Working Group Meeting Slides 06.30.2022 Link

The Waste Reduction and Recovery Working Group will address topics such as reducing, reusing, and recycling materials; composting; and circular economy.

Office of Sustainability staff coordinator: Dawn Oleksy

Date Location Topic Materials Recording

11/6/2020

9 - 10:30 a.m.

Virtual Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement For their first meeting, all RVAgreen 2050 Working Groups participated in Equitable Decision-Making & Community Engagement training facilitated by Virginia Community Voice N/A

11/19/2020

9 - 10:30 a.m.

Virtual Process overview, topics, materials, research needs RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 11.19.2020 Link

12/17/2020

9 - 10:30 a.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 vision RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 12.18.2020 Link

1/7/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual RVAgreen 2050 Equity Screening Tool RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 1.7.2021 Link

1/21/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Climate Vulnerability & Risk Assessment RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 1.21.2021 Link

2/4/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Drafting objectives RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 2.4.2021 Link

2/25/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 2.25.2021 Link

3/4/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Drafting strategies RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 3.4.2021 Link

3/25/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Incorporating Roundtable and city staff feedback into draft strategies RVAgreen 2050 Waste Working Group Meeting Slides 3.25.2021 Link

5/27/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Reviewing community feedback and prioritizing strategies RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 5.27.2021 Link

6/17/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Drafting impacts of prioritized strategies RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 6.17.2021 Link

7/15/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual  Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 1 RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 7.15.2021 Link

8/5/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual  Equitable Implementation and Accountability Framework Pt. 2 RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 8.5.2021 Link

8/26/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual  Indicators and Accountability   Link

11/18/2021

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Plan Deliverables RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 8.5.2021 Link

2/10/2022

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual  Introducing the Draft Plan RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 02.10.2022 Link

6/30/22

9 - 11 a.m.

Virtual Engagement Results and Next Steps RVAgreen 2050 Waste Reduction & Recovery Meeting Slides 06.30.2022 Link

Community-wide engagement will occur throughout the RVAgreen 2050 planning process, with four specific periods as described below. In addition to these opportunities, members of the public are welcome to:

Spring-Summer 2020

The goal of this phase of the RVAgreen 2050 planning process is to listen to the community and gather information on successes, challenges, and everyday needs. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we adjusted our engagement plans based on impacts on residents and moved our focus to engaging organizations that work to empower communities on the frontlines of climate change. Additionally, to reduce redundancy, we found previous surveys and reports from other organizations to help identify and add context to the community priority list. A community-wide online survey rounded out this phase of the process. Learn more about what we heard.

Community Priorities

 

Spring 2021

Throughout the month of April 2021, the Office of Sustainability collected input from the entire Richmond community on the draft content for RVAgreen 2050! We received over 450 survey responses, comments, and questions about our draft vision, goals, and objectives. Visit the RVAgreen 2050 website for more information about the results of this engagement.

Spring-Summer 2022

In spring 2022, the draft plan was shared for community-wide input and it was finalized during summer 2022.

Fall 2022

The Office of Sustainability will seek approval of the plan from City Administration and the Mayor. It will then submit the plan to City Council for adoption and begin implementation in collaboration with residents, community organizations, stakeholders, and other partners. Visit the RVAgreen 2050 website for more information.