Sustainable Hudson Valley identifies “system conditions” that get in the way of the rapid changes that are needed to turn the corner in addressing climate change. We work in a flexible, customized way with agencies and organizations to create low-carbon, more resilient approaches for energy, transportation, materials management and other essential systems.

Clean Mobility Now. With funding from NYSERDA, SHV is developing business models and local system designs to scale up electric micro-mobility such as on-demand shuttles and e-bike/ scooter lending programs, deep diving in Poughkeepsie and working with a regional network of counterpart projects to share knowledge and achieve economies of scale.

Circular Economy Strategic Plan. To address the role of waste hauling and landfill emissions as 12% of New York’s carbon footprint, Sustainable Hudson Valley is nurturing the shift from an extractive to a circular economy based on reuse, recycling and regenerative practices. Building on the Repair Café network and analysis done to support Ulster County’s development of a Reuse Innovation Center, SHV is working with the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency on a strategic plan for shifting to circular materials management one materials class at a time, by re-envisioning collection strategies and creating small business opportunities in upcycling and reprocessing.

Resilience Hubs for Climate Safe Neighborhoods. Dealing with the stresses and hazards brought by climate change needs unprecedented people-power as well as concentrated resources. SHV has worked with the Mid-Hudson and Ramapo-Catskill Library Systems, training staff to help their communities make the built environment more climate-safe and attractive for use every day. Now we are helping community leaders create “resilience hubs” that provide safe spaces and broad-spectrum education.

Check out Climate Justice Fellow Joanne Louis-Paul’s work in Spring Valley.

Check out “Together We Decide,” a citizen-led resilience planning project in the Town of Highlands

Carbon Dioxide Removal.  In addition to hastening the energy transition, we need to remove the trillions of tons of carbon dioxide that are trapping heat in the atmosphere right now.    SHV is working with 4Corners Carbon Coalition to demonstrate biochar as a soil amendment that durably stores carbon and helps soil retain moisture.  We have been able to fund biochar demonstration plots on nine area farms through this project!

NY4Cool: New Yorkers for Cool Refrigerant Management. SHV helped to form NY4Cool, bringing together experts and thoughtful advocates to address the most potent - and least considered - greenhouse gases: the refrigerants that are essential for our fridges and supermarket chillers, home and car air conditioners, and the heat pumps that are so critical to the clean energy transformation. “The Cool Ones” have educated governments and climate advocates, designed The Coolest Recycling Drive to collect and properly dispose of refrigerant-containing appliances, and is currently working with the City of Kingston to create model refrigerant management policy and educational program. 

YIMBY: YES (Renewable Energy) in My Back Yard. SHV is conducting a 2-year educational campaign on best practices for siting and planning solar and battery storage installations, and developing a model for collaborative planning by communities and utilities to accelerate the adoption of renewables into the grid.

[there will be a link to project web page shortly]