12-Year Report of Environmental Accomplishments (2007-2018)

Released in September 2018, the City's Sustainability Task Force compiled a report highlighting environmental accomplishments Manhattan Beach has achieved over the past 12+ years. Manhattan Beach has tackled numerous environmental issues that range from plastic pollution, to climate change, to urban sustainability. As a coastal city, Manhattan Beach has a responsibility to keep our beaches clean, take climate action, and promote green living.  The City is proud of all of these successes, and we look forward to the next decade and beyond of being a champion in environmental sustainability. 

Please read The City of Manhattan Beach's 12-Year Report of Environmental Accomplishments (PDF).

Institute of Local Government Climate Leadership Award

The City of Manhattan Beach is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Institute of Local Governments (ILG) for the 2021 Leadership in Climate Resilience and Adaptation award! The City has been recognized for the implementation of cutting-edge climate vulnerability studies and plans, while additionally taking action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This was made possible through securing both policy and fiscal commitment from City Council, as well as State funding from the California Climate Investments fund. The City has been recognized because of the unique and meaningful approach to public engagement throughout Climate Ready MB initiatives and the commitment of staff and council. By proactively planning for climate change, Manhattan Beach has the ability to better protect the community and avoid millions of dollars in damages from future climate impacts.

Blue City Certification 

The City of Manhattan Beach has recently been certified by the non-profit organization, Project O, as the first "Blue City." Data is collected and analyzed through the Blue City Network, and cities earning a certain number of points are recognized for their contribution to protecting our oceans. Categories for evaluation include waste minimization; climate protection and community resilience; water quality and efficiency; and healthy ecosystems. Manhattan Beach earned a total of 435 out of 500 points, placing the City in the "Ocean Hero Tier." 

Manhattan Beach Wins 2020 U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Award

Manhattan Beach is honored to receive a 2020 Climate Protection Award for small cities from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for our commitment to 100% renewable energy and our Climate Ready MB program. Cities across the United States were recognized on December 18, 2020 for their local climate efforts as part of the 14th Annual Climate Protection Awards, an initiative sponsored by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Walmart. The United States Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities. Full descriptions of the 2020 Mayors' Climate Protection Award winning programs, including Climate Ready MB on page 20, can be found here.

Solsmart Special Recognition 

The City of Manhattan Beach received SolSmart Special Recognition for Demonstrating Solar Excellence in March 2019. SolSmart is a national designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office through the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. A growing number of cities and counties nationwide have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.

In addition to achieving GOLD Designation, Manhattan Beach was presented with a Special Recognition Award in the Inspection category. The SolSmart Special Recognition Award celebrates and shines a light on communities that have gone above and beyond – earning at least 60% of the total points available in one or more of the eight SolSmart categories (Permitting; Planning, Zoning and Development; Inspection; Construction Codes; Solar Rights; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; and Marketing, Development and Finance). As a SolSmart Special Recognition Award winner, Manhattan Beach joins an exclusive and diverse group of communities across the U.S. who have not only satisfied the minimum requirements, but exceeded the high standards established by the SolSmart Criteria Advisory Committee.

2008 Green Report

The first step in developing an environmental plan for the City was the development of the Working Toward A Greater, Greener Manhattan Beach report in 2007-2008. Known as the "Green Report," this report documents the City's environmentally friendly practices and identifies other best management practices. Two important actions taken as a result of this report were the hiring of staff Environmental Manager to coordinate our sustainability policies, and the creation of a community Environmental Task Force to analyze priority environmental issues and make recommendations to City Council.