Reducing Diesel Pollution
The City’s neighborhoods in the Southeast areas are heavily burdened by air pollution-not only from major industrial facilities, but also from the thousands of automobiles and heavy-duty diesel trucks that travel daily on nearby freeways and City streets. San Francisco is working hard to reduce and prevent air pollution created by traffic. The City adopted a “transit first” policy that emphasizes the importance of using bicycles and public transportation over the use of private automobiles, and provides commuter benefits to workers and employers to encourage the use of mass transit.
San Francisco also promotes the use of alternative-fuel vehicles and has one of the largest clean-fuel vehicle fleets in the nation. We promote the use of biodiesel fuel to reduce toxic air emissions from the City’s diesel-fueled vehicles. The Mayor’s office issued an order directing the City’s diesel vehicles to use a less polluting biodiesel fuel blend (B20) and the City established a Biodiesel Access Task Force to improve the availability of biodiesel fuels locally.
Energy
A dynamic city like San Francisco requires the efficient use of clean, renewable energy to meet the needs of today and future generations. Our innovative policies and programs help San Franciscans use energy wisely, while saving money and reducing environmental impacts.
Transportation
SF Environment aims to reduce travel-created carbon by getting people out of cars and instead traveling by walking, biking or public transit. We also are greening the City fleet of vehicles and encourage the public to reduce their impact by supporting cleaner fuels and vehicles.
Zero Waste
Imagine a world in which nothing goes to landfills or to incinerators. We think it is achievable, and SF Environment is doing everything we can to make it happen.
Toxics & Health
As the first city to adopt the Precautionary Principle, San Francisco strives to protect the health of its residents, visitors and the local environment. SF Environment develops programs and policies to help individuals and businesses make safer choices in products, practices and services.
Buildings & Environments
San Francisco is habitat for 800,000 people – meeting needs for space to work, play, and learn; for food, water, and air; for community with local flora and fauna. SF Environment provides support for urban agriculture and forestry and green buildings, helping residents and businesses harness environmental opportunities.
Education & Equity
SF Environment focuses on building community capacity - engaging people throughout the City’s neighborhoods and providing them with the tools, education, and job opportunities to ensure that the places where we live, play, learn, and work are safe and healthy.
Climate Change
Reducing carbon emissions is central to ensuring a sustainable future for San Francisco. Climate change will bring unstable weather, rising sea levels and damage to our city’s natural habitat and infrastructure. SF Environment is committed to mobilizing the City to deal with Climate Change.






