sfenvironment.org

San Francisco is home to some of the world's most innovative environmental legislation and initiatives. Check out "our policies" to learn about how we put our visionary ideas onto paper and into practice.

Environment Commission

The Commission on the Environment sets policy for the Department of the Environment and advises the mayor and Board of Supervisors on environmental matters. Appointed by the mayor, the seven-member commission develops policies and programs in recycling, toxics reduction, environmental justice, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, climate change, and the city's urban forest.

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Biodiesel Access Task Force

The Biodiesel Access Task Force reports to the appropriate city departments, the Board of Supervisors, and the mayor on all aspects of biodiesel fuel, including city-wide strategies and incentives that would increase the use of biodiesel fuel by consumers, vendors, and the city's municipal fleets; and ways to streamline and put into action the necessary permit process for biodiesel filling stations. More

Clean Technology

Technology that's cleaner, greener, and inherently more efficient is the wave of the future, and San Francisco is poised to catch that wave. Acting on an initiative presented in 2004, Mayor Gavin Newsom established the Clean Tech Advisory Council (CTAC) in 2005 to set the clean tech agenda. More

Legislation & Initiatives

San Francisco's environmental legislation and initiatives. More

Peak Oil PreparednessTask Force

The Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force was charged with coordinating the assessment of San Francisco's vulnerability to energy price shocks and determines appropriate measures to mitigate municipal vulnerability. It submitted a report to the Board of Supervisors before it sunsetted in March 2009. More

Precautionary Principle

It's a good idea to avoid using potentially harmful products if safer alternatives are available. And it isn't right that everyday citizens bear the risk of harm from products or practices that might be hazardous. More

Resource Efficient Building Task Force

The Green Building Task Force provides communication among city departments on green building issues and policy development, supports the integration of green building practices into city departments, and plays a key role in implementing Chapter 7 of the Environmental Code. The task force consists of a representative from each of the city departments list below and one member of the public. More

Urban Environmental Accords

On June 5, 2005, San Francisco hosted United Nations World Environment Day where more than one hundred mayors from around the globe signed onto an historic pact. More

Urban Forestry Council

The Urban Forestry Council advises city departments, including the Board of Supervisors and the mayor. Its tasks are to develop a comprehensive urban forest plan; educate the public; develop tree-care standards; identify funding needs, staffing needs, and opportunities for urban forest programs; secure adequate resources for urban forest programs; facilitate coordination of tree-management responsibilities among agencies; and report on the state of the urban forest. More

• State Bill Calls for Phone Radiation Disclosure--SF Chronicle
• Cities Prepare for Electric Cars--NY Times
• SF State Monitors Reduce Waste--Golden Gate Express
• Tourism Goes Green in SF--California Travel

• Mandatory Recycling & Composting Ordinance
• San Francisco EcoMap
• SF Approved Green Product Catalog
• Where to Buy Compostable Bags
• Business Council on Climate Change (BC3)
• Commission on the Environment