San Jose’s Green Vision is a comprehensive fifteen-year plan to create jobs, preserve the environment, and improve quality of life for our community. See how much progress we’ve made since 2007. The Green Vision 2009 Annual Report provides an overview on the progress made to date, highlights accomplishments and future direction, and includes “Tips for A Greener Community.” The San José City Council adopted the Plan on March 9, 2010.
Green Vision Progress
The Green Vision will transform San José into a world center of Clean Technology innovation, promote cutting-edge sustainable practices, and demonstrate that the goals of economic growth, environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility are inextricably linked. Council adopted the Green Vision, comprised of ten aggressive goals related to jobs, energy, water, waste, trees, and transportation, in October 2007.
Green Vision progress is tracked and graphed. This comprehensive graph shows how we've done since 2007.
Green Vision Goals
Within 15 years, the City of San José in tandem with its residents and businesses will:
1. Create 25,000 Clean Tech jobs as the World Center of Clean Tech Innovation
Innovation is a key element to achieving nearly all of the Green Vision Goals. As innovations are developed and clean technologies are utilized, San José and all of Silicon Valley will benefit from the emerging economic opportunities and a cleaner way to live, work and play.Learn More >>
2. Reduce per capita energy use by 50 percent
As a global leader in innovative technologies and policies, the state of California and the City of San José, in particular, have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that communities and their economies can thrive while significantly reducing energy consumption. Learn More >>
3. Receive 100 percent of our electrical power from clean renewable sources
The liabilities of fossil fuel usage are increasingly plain; in contrast, pursuing electrical power from clean, renewable sources is projected to reduce harmful air pollutants, long-term operating costs, and carbon emissions for the entire community. Learn More >>
4. Build or retrofit 50 million square feet of green buildings
An estimated 40 percent of the community’s total energy use and 16 percent of its water goes to buildings. Several efforts are underway to increase the square footage of green building space in the San José in both public and private buildings. Learn More >>
5. Divert 100 percent of the waste from our landfill and convert waste to energy
Although the City has one of the highest waste diversion rates of any large city in the nation, many waste reduction opportunities remain. If San José and other local cities achieve no further waste reduction efforts over the next 15 years, solid waste landfill space in the region could reach capacity.Learn More >>
6. Recycle or beneficially reuse 100 percent of our wastewater (100 million gallons per day)
Protecting the South Bay and its eco-system is critical to the environmental and economic viability of the region. We must lead by example, not only by maximizing water conservation efforts, but by increasing the quantity of recycled water we produce and distribute. Learn More >>
7. Adopt a General Plan with measurable standards for sustainable development
The blueprint for the future growth of San Jose is outlined in the City’s General Plan. We must continue to lay a foundation for the future by clearly establishing sustainable development standards in our General Plan. Learn More >>
8. Ensure that 100 percent of public fleet vehicles run on alternative fuels
In Santa Clara County, more than 40 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions come from cars, trucks, buses, trains, and other transport. Thus, we must create an integrated and sustainable system to get us from place to place.Learn More >>
9. Plant 100,000 new trees and replace 100 percent of our streetlights with smart, zeroemission lighting
With an integrated approach, planting 100,000 new trees and replacing all of the City’s streetlights with smart, zero emission lights, will help the San José “green” its transportation system--to create an integrated, sustainable system that consumes less energy, protects the environment, and accommodates growth in a manner that enhances the City’s quality of life. Learn More >>
10. Create 100 miles of interconnected trails
Expanding our system of park trails to 100 miles will allow residents to travel more easily by bicycle or on foot, as well as encourage exploration and education about our natural habitat so residents better understand the benefits of a healthy environment and value its preservation. Learn More >>
Successfully realizing this vision will require a focused direction for action and a means of regularly measuring progress. By pushing the limits of what is possible, we will all
achieve our vision and inspire change globally.
San José Green Vision
200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Main: (408) 535-4800 Fax: (408) 292-6422 TTY:
e-mail: greenvision@sanjoseca.gov
The City of San Jose is committed to open and honest government and strives to consistently meet the community’s expectations by providing excellent service, in a positive and timely manner, and in the full view of the public.
