The survey was sent to 8,569 local governments. The survey response rate is 25.4%, with 2,176 local governments responding. The survey was developed with the input of ICMA’s Center for Sustainable Communities, the Center for Urban Innovation, Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability (ASU GIOS), the Alliance for Innovation, and others.  Survey distribution was conducted through a collaboration of ICMA, ASU GIOS and the Sustainable Cities Network, a multi-jurisdictional partnership.  The survey was provided in electronic and print formats because the local government response rate is both higher and more scientifically representative than for an electronic survey.

Highlights include:

• 63% of local governments report conducting energy audits of government buildings
• 34% have taken actions to conserve the quantity of water from aquifiers
• 14% have established greenhouse gas limits for the local government