For 20 years, the San Francisco Commission on the Environment has supported forward-thinking policies for the Department of the Environment and the City as a whole.
1995
San Franciscans Vote to Establish the Commission on the Environment
Voters of San Francisco pass a charter amendment, which among other things, established a new San Francisco Commission on the Environment and the San Francisco Department of the Environment.
1996
First Commission
The first Commission on the Environment is sworn in.
San Francisco’s First Sustainability Plan
San Francisco Department of the Environment and Commission on the Environment endorse San Francisco’s First Sustainability Plan.
1997
Advocacy for Bicycle Plan
Commission urges Board of Supervisors to adopt the citywide Bicycle Plan developed by the Department of Parking and Traffic.
1998
Advocacy for Power Plant Closures
Commission advocates that the City close the remaining two power plants operating in San Francisco’s southeast neighborhoods.
Advocacy for Use of Alternative Fuel for Public Transportation
Starting in 1998, the Commission passes a series of resolutions urging the purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles for public transit.
2000
Environmental Justice Grants
Commission creates the Environmental Justice Program and begins issuing $13 million in Environmental Justice Grants to community based organizations serving the Potrero Hill and Bayview Hunters Point communities.
Urges Prioritization of Urban Forestry
2001
Community Meetings
The Commission begins holding at least one community meeting a year outside of its regular meeting room in City Hall to bring the discussion about the City’s environmental policies and programs out to San Francisco’s various neighborhoods.
2002
San Francisco Zero Waste Goals
At the request of the Board of Supervisors, the Commission on the Environment sets San Francisco’s Zero Waste goal.
2003
Precautionary Principle
Commissioners work hard against powerful interests to adopt the Precautionary Principle. The Precautionary Principle -- a milestone for San Francisco – requires that in the absence of conclusive proof that something is harmful, the burden lies with the producer to prove that it is safe when conducting the City and County’s affairs.
Creation of San Francisco Environmental Code
The Environmental Code was developed to consolidate the City's ordinances governing protection of the environment, natural resources and sustainability that were previously scattered throughout the Administrative Code.
Mandate for Toxics Reduction in Dental Offices
Commission worked with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commisssion in an effort to mandate mercury separators in all dental offices.
2005
Ban on Single Use Plastic Bags
Commission supported a ban on single-use plastic bags in San Francisco, setting the stage for the California state-wide ban.
SF Hosts UN World Environment Day
Commission calls on San Francisco Department of the Environment to adopt key Urban Environmental Accords developed at the conference by mayors from around the world.
Advocacy for Garden in Every School
Commission calls on the Mayor’s Office and the San Francisco Unified School District to create a garden in every school in San Francisco.
2009
SF Carbon Fund
Commission begins approving projects that mitigate and sequester greenhouse gas emissions. The San Francisco Carbon Fund is funded through an innovative fee of 13% of the cost of municipal employees’ air travel for city business as well as from private conferences seeking to mitigate their event-related emissions.
2011
Biodiversity Program
Commission advocates for a biodiversity program that protects San Francisco’s remaining natural heritage, including plant and animal species supported by naturally occurring ecosystems, naturalistic landscapes and urban development.
Preservative-treated Wood Containing Arsenic
Commission calls on the City to find alternatives to the use of wood treated with arsenic for playgrounds and in the Port.
2012
Calls for Congress to Expand Commuter Benefits Employee Transportation Benefit
Commission calls on the United States Congress to extend the Commuter Benefits Employee Transportation Benefit to encourage and incentivize the use of public transportation by San Francisco residents.
2013
Marine Plastic Reduction
Commission pushes for statewide effort to address producer responsibility in minimizing marine plastic pollution.
2014
Bottled Water Legislation
Commission supported legislation halting the purchase of plastic water bottles by the City and encourages increased availability of drinking water in public areas.
2016
Solar Installation
Commission supports policies making San Francisco the first City in the country to require solar installation on all new buildings.
2017
Electric Vehicle Readiness
SF’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Have Decreased 28% Since 1990
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Commission on the Environment 20th Anniversary
About the Commission on the Environment