Riverside is one of 16 cities across the country chosen for the 2025 LEED for Cities Cohort, a program run by the U.S. Green Building Council.
"Riverside's focus on sustainability and quality of life is now being recognized on the national stage," Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. "We are incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful and livable city that can be a model for other cities' sustainability efforts."
The initiative, part of USGBC's Local Government Leadership Program, helps cities establish sustainability goals, collect data and evaluate their progress using the LEED for Cities rating system.
The LEED for Cities framework enables local governments to measure their performance, identify improvement opportunities and implement best practices. Since its inception in 2017, the program has certified nearly 120 U.S. local governments, representing approximately 55 million residents.
Riverside's participation aligns with its current sustainability efforts in transportation, green spaces, water management, energy efficiency, waste reduction and economic innovation.
The city has implemented several environmental initiatives, including launching what officials describe as the world's only hydrogen-powered car-sharing service. Riverside has rehabilitated 20% of its streets and is working to double its 156 miles of bike lanes. The city is also transitioning its vehicle fleet to zero-emission options and testing an Ohmio all-electric autonomous shuttle as part of its innovative transportation solutions.
Riverside's growing Green Tech Hub represents both environmental progress and economic development, hosting manufacturers such as Ohmio (all-electric, autonomous shuttle manufacturer), Voltu (all-electric medium duty truck manufacturer), Hyundai Rotem (hydrogen train manufacturer), and Green Power Motor Company (all-electric bus manufacturer).
The city recently broke ground on the first Northside Agriculture Innovation Center, which will feature agri-voltaics and solar greenhouses, further demonstrating Riverside's commitment to sustainable development.
For water management, Riverside has utilized the Seven Oaks Dam to capture billions of gallons during heavy precipitation events.
The city currently obtains 69% of its energy from renewable sources and is developing a Waste to Energy project designed to divert 200,000 tons of organic waste from landfills.
"Becoming a truly sustainable city is a collective achievement – one made possible by the dedication of our entire team, our community partners, city staff and every resident who believes in a better future," said Assistant City Manager Rafael Guzman, who also serves as Riverside's first Chief Sustainability Officer.
Participation in LEED for Cities will allow Riverside to compare its sustainability efforts against verified standards and identify areas for potential improvement.
