Office of Sustainability & Resilience 2025 Annual Progress Report

February 2026

2025 Annual Progress Report & Strategic Energy Plan Implementation Year Three

From the Chief Sustainability Officer

The Office of Sustainability and Resilience (OSR) enjoyed a busy and highly impactful 2025 with climate resilience remaining a top priority across all areas of our work. This progress report highlights key accomplishments and tracks the implementation of the City’s Strategic Energy Plan. Two of the year’s most significant milestones include the completion of a comprehensive, citywide tree canopy assessment, and the creation of an equity-based prioritization tool developed in close collaboration with a

specialized consultant. This tool strengthens our ability to make data-driven and equitable decisions by directing resources to neighborhoods with the greatest need. It also addresses the urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and advances Greensboro’s climate resilience goals. Collaboration was a defining theme throughout 2025 and reinforced how sustainability and resilience work together to build awareness and shape a future-leaning Greensboro. OSR participated in the state-led Planning for Extreme Heat Cohort, which helps local governments develop heat action plans using the NC Heat Action Plan Toolkit. We strengthened the City’s approach to addressing rising heat impacts thanks to expert-led sessions, peer networking, and technical resources. The experience also led to an interlocal taskforce with Guilford County and the City of High Point. Together, we completed a heat action plan and a County-wide extreme temperatures action plan that includes cold-weather preparedness. Building on this work, the City secured a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. It allocated $10,000 of the grant to the Community Safety Department for essential supplies during extreme temperatures, and the remaining fund are supporting tree-planting efforts. The City also received $20,000 from the National Environmental & Education Foundation to partner with local schools on a community-centered tree planting initiative. Our partners, community advocates, and volunteers contributed significantly to these accomplishments. We look forward to strengthening existing relationships and expanding our network as we remain, “In the Mix for 2026,” and continue to lead with climate resilience at the forefront of our efforts. Yours in service,

S. Shree Dorestant, DM Chief Sustainability Officer City of Greensboro

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OSR Highlights Tree Canopy Assessment by the Numbers In 2025, Greensboro completed its first

As of December 2025, the Leave the Leaves campaign received 391 pledges from residents and businesses to leave or mulch fallen leaves, representing nearly 6,500 trees.

comprehensive tree canopy assessment since 2009. Defined as the layer of tree cover in a city or urban area formed by the collective spread of tree branches and leaves, the canopy indicates a city’s available green space and helps with planning and urban sustainability efforts. A subsequent equity study identified planting areas. Explore canopy data, track changes over time, learn about tree benefits, and participate in future canopy studies at canopy.greensboro-nc.gov.

6 million Trees in Greensboro

39,000 Acres of Canopy

44% Canopy Coverage in the City

Student Engagement OSR provided presentations and field trips for students at the middle school, high school, and collegiate level throughout 2025. These partnerships included a semester of programming with B’nai Shalom Day School, a community event led by students from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Environmental Education class, and a week-long science summer camp for middle school girls through Guilford Creek Week. OSR Outreach Engagement

Sustainable Landscapes Project In 2025, the Greensboro Sustainable Landscapes Project hosted five free workshops, engaging nearly 100 community members. Workshops covered topics such as beneficial bugs, composting, nature photography, and DIY wildlife habitats.

Top-Four Community Engagement Events 1,500 City of Greensboro

Earth Day Celebration

individuals 4,046

689 Recycle Rodeo 78 Trash Bash 75 Sustainable

Landscapes Project

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NEEF The National Environmental Education Foundation awarded OSR a $20,000 Greening STEM Grant for the period of October 1, 2025, through June 1, 2026. The funding supports environmental education programming for middle school students in Greensboro, using STEM-based instruction to enhance learning inside and outside the classroom.

NC Arbor Day Tree Planting OSR partnered with Greensboro Public Libraries, Greensboro Parks and Recreation, and Greensboro Beautiful to host a series of free educational programming and plant a dozen trees at McGirt Horton Branch Library.

Turn Down the Lights OSR’s Energy Management Unit spent a portion of 2025 investigating and identifying saving opportunities in different City departments by examining abandoned energy accounts. Abandoned accounts are utility accounts at locations that the City of Greensboro no longer owns, or the utility service is no longer necessary. The study found these accounts cost the City $294,609 over the course of four years. It also showed how departments could recover a combined $109,969 in direct savings through disputing incorrect billing amounts, as well as closely monitoring new service requests. EECBG Water/Energy Kits OSR received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to provide over 1,000 free water and energy conservation kits. Residents can sign up for a kit via the GSO WaterWise portal for city water users. As of December 2025, 721 residents have registered for a kit.

The grant also supports tree planting by participating students in 2026. As of December 2025, 16 middle school students are registered in the program. Earth Day OSR hosted the City’s Earth Day celebration in April 2025 at Keeley Park. The event welcomed approximately 1,500 guests to engage with over 50 community exhibitors, as well as free educational activities for children and adults. The event featured the presentation of the 2025 Live Green Awards, which honor sustainability leaders who serve the Greensboro community.

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Trash Bash In March 2025, OSR partnered with Reconsidered Goods, a creative reuse store and nonprofit organization, to host a Trash Bash competition. At this event, four teams of local artists competed to create art installations using only repurposed materials.

Sustainability & Resilience Team Shree Dorestant, DM Chief Sustainability Officer Katie Farina Environmental Services Analyst OSR Staff & CSC Members

Michelle Gill-Moffat Sustainability Analyst John Hendricks Sustainability Analyst (GIS)

Sergey Kobelev Energy Manager Richard Lovett Environmental Compliance Support Manager Sarah Montgomery Environmental Compliance Specialist Eddie Raynard Environmental Compliance Coordinator John Ridge

Telematics Pilot Program: Fleet Efficiency Study In July, OSR started a partnership with the fleet technology company Samsara, to monitor the idle time and use of City vehicles. This one-year pilot program involves installing telematic devices in 100 vehicles across seven departments. Telematic devices collect real-time data to evaluate fuel efficiency, idling, driving behaviors, and other information. The data is analyzed to identify opportunities to right-size the fleet and transition to alternative-fuel vehicles as lease periods end. As of December, 2025, initial findings showed the 100 study vehicles accumulated more than 5,000 hours of idle time, approximately 50% of the vehicles' total operating time. This idling time consumed roughly 3,000 gallons of fuel, at a cost of nearly $10,000. Following the study’s completion in Summer 2026, full data from the study vehicles will be analyzed to identify specific action items. Examples may include creating idling reduction training required for all authorized City fleet users, identifying initial candidates for replacement with hybrid or electric vehicles, and developing a strategy to expand telematic deployment to the full City fleet.

Landfill Technician Jeff Sovich, AICP Sustainability Planning Administrator Michael Szychowicz

Landfill Specialist Gregory Williams Energy Program Coordinator

2025 Community Sustainability Council Conor Baker, Co-Chair Andrew Randall, Vice Chair Melissa Bullins Sheeba Dawood Nicole Gaines Eric Ireland Jacques Pierre Will Yearns

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Strategic Energy Plan Implementation SEP Resolution Directives Progress In 2022, the Greensboro City Council approved the Strategic Energy Plan (SEP), which addresses the City of Greensboro’s Resolution 19-0770, to provide a plan for municipal operations to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040 The following section of the Annual Progress Report provides status updates on each recommendation outlined in the City’s DIRECTIVE 8

reductions in energy use, and help to identify the optimal rates for each of the City’s approximately 1,100 electrical service accounts with Duke Energy.

Prepare an updated GHG inventory every two years.

Strategic Energy Plan. These updates reflect measurable progress, key milestones achieved, and areas where implementation is ongoing. Since the establishment of the Office of Sustainability and Resilience in 2022, significant strides have been made toward advancing the Plan’s goals. Now approaching the five-year implementation marker, the Office is well underway in executing the recommended strategies, coordinating across departments, and integrating energy efficiency and sustainability practices into City operations. This progress demonstrates the City’s continued commitment to reducing energy consumption, lowering operational costs, improving resilience, and advancing long-term environmental stewardship. Recommend practices and tools to measure avoided costs and return on investment resulting from implementation of renewable energy projects. In September 2025, OSR awarded a contract to the consulting firm Nimble Energy to develop a comprehensive energy management and data analysis platform. The development of the software system is essentially complete, with fine-tuning and customization of the interface in progress. This system will provide advanced tools that will identify energy-efficiency measures, enable significant DIRECTIVE 4 STATUS: Completed

STATUS: In Progress

In December 2025, OSR executed a contract with consulting firm Fresh Coast Climate Solutions to prepare updated Greenhouse Gas inventories for 2022, 2023, and 2024, at both the community-wide and municipal operations levels. These inventories will use widely accepted protocols for greenhouse gas reporting and validation. The resulting emissions calculations will measure progress toward the SEP’s emissions reduction goals, and as a key component in Greensboro’s effort to recertify in the LEED for Cities program. This project is expected to be completed by June 2026. The contractor will also train OSR staff to prepare future inventories in-house.

DIRECTIVE 9

Publish an annual progress report.

STATUS: Ongoing

The first annual progress report was published in March 2024. This document is the third annual progress report. OSR will continue to publish progress reports annually throughout SEP’s implementation. Corresponds to Prioritized Action 28 .

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Organization-Wide Recommendations Progress RECOMMENDATION 1

RECOMMENDATION 2

In 2025, the City’s MWBE Office was renamed the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), with the mission of “providing equal opportunities for all businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, and small businesses, to participate in the City's contracting processes for goods, services, construction, and professional services.”With this restructuring, the OBO maintains its focus on creating contracting opportunities for the local business community, shifting from race or gender as a preference criterion to criteria that prioritize small businesses. Accordingly, Recommendation 2 and its strategies will be realigned for consistency. STRATEGY 1.2 Energy-focused Requests for Proposals should contain language indicating a preference to work with a HUB or a MWBE. STRATEGY 2.2 The City’s MWBE Office will offer workshops on obtaining HUB/ MWBE certification. STATUS: Realigned Clean energy audit/installation/ maintenance contracts will give priority to Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) and Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs).

The City should establish a Sustainability Office.

STRATEGY 1.1 Approve and fund creation of a Sustainability Office. STRATEGY 1.2 Establish and fill Chief Sustainability Officer position. STRATEGY 1.3 Develop the Sustainability Office’s Year 1 work plan.

STATUS: Completed

Dr. S. Shree Dorestant was hired as Chief Sustainability Officer on June 1, 2022, effectively establishing the Office of Sustainability and Resilience (OSR) within the City’s Executive Department. On July 1, 2023, the OSR was expanded with an internal employee transfer of 10 staff positions from the Engineering and Inspections, Field Operations (now known as Solid Waste & Recycling), Parks and Recreation, and Planning departments.

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RECOMMENDATION 3

STRATEGY 3.3 Prioritize outreach and assistance to impacted and vulnerable communities to encourage

The Keeping the Green in Greensboro: Tree Canopy and Equity Prioritization Project developed a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based equity prioritization tool, which helped identify and prioritize Greensboro’s most impacted and vulnerable communities. The resulting analysis, reports, dashboards, and story maps were curated into an ArcGIS hub site available at: https://canopy.greensboro-nc.gov/. Launched in November, the hub boasts features that demonstrate: Ensure energy decisions are made in a way that promotes a just transition to renewable energy for all and prioritizes vulnerable communities. STRATEGY 3.1 Establish criteria to identify Greensboro’s most impacted and vulnerable communities. STRATEGY 3.2 Identify the most impacted and vulnerable communities. STATUS: Complete

more community participation, determine the impact of energy projects, and educate residents on energy and water conservation.

STATUS: Ongoing

OSR has started using the equity prioritization tool to prioritize outreach and assistance to impacted and vulnerable communities. Corresponds to Prioritized Action 7 . STRATEGY 3.5 Prioritize vulnerable communities when rolling out individual parts of the Energy Plan, i.e., building retrofits, new facilities, etc. OSR will prioritize tree plantings, education, and outreach efforts in communities identified as the most impacted and vulnerable. OSR will also continue to focus grant applications and energy-related projects in (or to benefit) the most impacted and vulnerable communities. Corresponds to Prioritized Action 8 . STATUS: Ongoing

• the many benefits of trees • how to identify, plant, and map trees • the impacts of tree canopy on Greensboro’s history and neighborhoods • how the city’s canopy has changed since 1984 Corresponds to Prioritized Action 4.

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RECOMMENDATION 4

RECOMMENDATION 5

All new and substantially renovated City-owned buildings will meet green building standards.

The City fleet should be comprised of zero-emission vehicles by 2040.

STRATEGY 5.1 Create a Sustainable Fleet Policy.

STRATEGY 4.1 Use the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/ IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance

STATUS: In progress

The OSR received $314,150 in December 2024 from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program. Among other projects, this award will fund the development of a comprehensive fleet efficiency study and transition plan, which began in 2025. A one-year pilot study of 100 City vehicles began in July 2025. The study installed telematic devices that gather data on the frequency and duration of use, and other operational characteristics. This data will be analyzed to understand vehicles’ fuel efficiency, idling time, usage, suitability, and driver behavior. The analysis will provide the background for developing a comprehensive fleet management and transition plan. The data will also be compared with similar data gathered by telematic devices (from at least three other manufacturers) previously installed in approximately 300 additional City vehicles, to identify a single telematic supplier for the entire fleet, a key strategy of the fleet management and transition plan. Initial data suggest the City vehicles involved in this study idled approximately 50% of the time their engines were running.

Green Buildings except Low Rise Residential Buildings (or a comparable standard) for all new and substantially renovated City owned buildings.

STATUS: Ongoing

During 2025, OSR staff reviewed Technical Review Committee sketch plans for development on one City-owned site (the Greensboro Science Center Expansion Project) and recommended the use of applicable Energy Star and ISO 50000 certifications (or other comparable standards). OSR staff also participated in the project scoping and development process for the Mitchell Water Treatment Plan Expansion and Advanced Treatment for Emerging Contaminants project, and recommended the use of applicable Energy Star and ISO 50000 certifications (or other comparable standards).

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RECOMMENDATION 6 Establish a policy to achieve no net loss of the tree canopy throughout the City, for improved air quality, reduced urban heat island effect, and ongoing carbon sequestration.

STRATEGY 6.3 Focus planting efforts in vulnerable communities, which have limited or no tree canopy.

STATUS: Ongoing

The portion of the grant funding dedicated to purchasing trees was rescinded by the federal government. Accordingly, OSR is pursuing other funding for trees. In August, OSR received a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, $15,000 of which will purchase trees. In September, OSR received a $20,000 grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation to purchase trees and conduct educational programming related to trees. OSR coordinated three tree planting events in 2025, which added 52 trees of native species to areas identified by the equity prioritization tool. The department will organize additional plantings in 2026.

STRATEGY 6.1 Collaborate with Greensboro Beautiful, Sierra Club, the City

Planning Department, City Arborist, the City Housing & Neighborhood Development, the NeighborWoods Program, and other stakeholders to develop a 20-year strategy to maintain the tree canopy.

STATUS: In Progress

STRATEGY 6.2 Conduct a baseline tree canopy audit, followed by an update every five years. The CSC has relaunched its Tree Canopy Taskforce to facilitate collaboration on maintaining Greensboro's tree canopy. OSR held two community meetings in 2025 to share the data about the Tree Canopy Assessment, to begin the public conversation. The Keeping the Green in Greensboro: Tree Canopy and Equity Prioritization Project completed an updated study, which found that 44% of the City’s land area is covered by tree canopy. The project also developed a GIS-based equity prioritization tool to guide the selection of future tree-planting locations in Greensboro’s underserved areas. In addition, the resulting analysis, reports, dashboards, and story maps were curated into an ArcGIS hub site (https:// canopy.greensboro-nc.gov/). Launched in November, the hub boasts features that demonstrate: • the many benefits of trees • how to identify, plant, and map trees • the impacts of tree canopy on Greensboro’s history and neighborhoods • how the city’s canopy has changed since 1984 STATUS: Complete

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RECOMMENDATION 8

RECOMMENDATION 7

Review current vehicle and equipment purchase/lease process for potential efficiency improvements.

Develop an Energy and Water Education Program for all City staff.

Staff in the Equipment Services Division, the People & Culture Department, and the OSR are researching and scoping for the development of an internal idling-reduction training course. Results from the vehicle telematic pilot study will inform additional efforts to develop this course. STATUS: Initiated STRATEGY 7.1 People & Culture Department development of three courses: Electricity Conservation, Water Conservation, and Eco-Driving.

Staff from the OSR and Equipment Services Division of the Financial & Administrative Services Department discussed closer evaluations of the vehicle inventory, equipment purchases, and lease processes. Analysis of these issues will be included in the aforementioned fleet efficiency study and the comprehensive fleet management and transition plan, slated to begin in 2026. STATUS: In Progress STRATEGY 8.1 Evaluate departmental sharing of specialized vehicles and infrequently used equipment.

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Energy Goals, Strategies, and Actions Progress

Water Resources Department ENERGY USE BY DEPARTMENT

Transportation & Transit Departments

GOAL 2

GOAL 2

Reduce electricity demand by 40% from 2007 to 2025.

Increase LED streetlamp conversion by 5% per year.

STRATEGY 2.1 Increase equipment efficiency. A2.1.1 Audit water and wastewater equipment. A2.1.2 Implement efficiency measures suggested by audit. Preliminary figures put electricity use by the Water Resources Department at 69,845 megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2025, a 2.0% increase since 2019. In May, the department introduced the GSO WaterWise Portal, supported by the City’s system-wide upgrade to smart meters. GSO WaterWise offers customers customized usage alerts, access to near real-time water use data 24/7, enhanced customer service, and personalized water conservation tips. An extensive outreach campaign ensured widespread awareness of the portal and its features. In 2025, Water Resources and the OSR collaborated to distribute 721 water and energy conservation kits to Greensboro residents registered in GSO WaterWise. The kits were funded through the City’s federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant award. Corresponds to Prioritized Action 24 . STATUS: Ongoing

STRATEGY 1.1 Increase the conversion of street lighting to LED. A1.1.1 Work with Duke Energy to ensure conversion meets the yearly goal.

STATUS: Ongoing

The Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) was a division of the Transportation Department (GDOT) until 2023, when it became a separate department. Preliminary figures put the two departments’ combined electricity use at 7,409 MWh in 2025, a 70.8% decrease from 2019. GDOT works with Duke Energy to coordinate the LED conversion of the company’s more than 27,400 streetlamps and other public outdoor lighting units. LED streetlamp conversion data for 2025 was not available for inclusion in this report. However, data on the energy used by Greensboro’s streetlamps show LED conversions are having a significant impact. Total energy consumption by streetlamps dropped from 18,276 MWh in 2022 to 1,952 MWh in 2025 – a reduction of 89.3%. Corresponds to Prioritized Action 21 .

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Buildings Managed by Engineering & Inspections

Police Department

GOAL 1

GOAL 1

Reduce gasoline consumption by 5% per year.

Reduce electricity demand by 40% from 2007 to 2025.

STRATEGY 1.2 Fleet conversion to electric vehicles.

Preliminary figures put the total electricity use in the City’s buildings at 45,576 MWh in 2025, a 1.0% increase since 2019. OSR contracted with Systems Contractors, Inc. (SCI) to audit the City’s 10-highest energy-using buildings and recommend energy conservation measures. The Level 1 audits identified needed maintenance and corrective measures, which SCI suggested could provide more-detailed Level 2 audits. OSR is working to carry out these projects and identify needed funding. Additionally, in October, OSR encouraged City staff to conserve energy and appropriately schedule major energy consuming activities to coordinate with Duke Energy’s non-summer, seasonal time-of-use electricity rates. Corresponds to Prioritized Action 2 . STRATEGY 1.1 Increase building energy efficiency in First-Tier buildings. A1.1.1 Perform energy audits on buildings. A1.1.2 Implement efficiency measures suggested by audit. STATUS: In Progress

STATUS: In Progress

The Police Department purchased 32 new, hybrid Ford Explorer Interceptors to replace existing internal combustion vehicles, and intends to replace its prisoner transport van with an electric vehicle (EV). OSR staff works with the Equipment Services Division to identify opportunities to replace the least-efficient vehicles with hybrid or EV models where practical.

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Transportation & Transit Departments

Community Incentives Progress

GOAL 1

GOAL 1

Incentivize Greensboro residents and businesses to achieve similar progress on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction, energy

Reduce diesel consumption by 5% per year.

efficiency, and renewable energy similar to the City’s improvements.

STRATEGY 1.3 Fleet conversion to electric vehicles.

Implementation of the Greensboro Transit Agency’s (GTA) zero-emissions fleet transition plan is in progress. GTA purchased three new, Gillig battery electric buses – one 40-foot model and two 35-foot models. It also purchased two new 60-kilowatt, Heliox portable chargers. GTA anticipates these acquisitions will help reduce its annual diesel consumption. STATUS: In Progress

STRATEGY 1.2 Remove obstacles to clean, renewable energy installation, and energy efficiency projects. The OSR received $314,150 in December 2024 from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program. The award is funding a comprehensive fleet efficiency study and transition plan; a water and energy conservation outreach program; a study to identify buildings to upgrade to net-zero energy and purchase equipment for ongoing energy management; and a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory. STATUS: Initiated

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IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (YEARS 1-5) Items lacking significant progress during 2025 are not included. The items listed below are addressed earlier in the report: ACTION 2 See Buildings Managed by Engineering & Inspections, Goal 1 on page 13. ACTION 4 See Recommendation 3, Strategy 3.1 on page 8. ACTION 7 See Recommendation 3, Strategy 3.3 on page 8. ACTION 8 See Recommendation 3, Strategy 3.4 on page 8. ACTION 21 See Transportation & Transit Departments, Goal 2 on page 12. Prioritized Actions Progress

ACTION 24 See Water Resources Department, Goal 2 on page 12. ACTION 28 See Directive 9 on page 6. ACTION 15 Install energy conservation measures and a new roof at the Central Library. STATUS: In Progress The Central Library’s new roof was installed in 2025. OSR is identifying funding to execute the needed maintenance and corrective measures identified through the library’s Level 1 building energy audit.

www.greensboro-nc.gov/sustainability PO Box 3136 • Greensboro, NC 27402-3136