From Green Right Now Reports
Martin J. Chavez, three-term former mayor of Albuquerque, has been named Executive Director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, the nation’s largest membership organization for local governments committed to climate protection, sustainability, and clean energy.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. There is a growing national movement of U.S. cities, towns, and counties – from New York and LA to Oklahoma City – that are taking action to combat climate change, save energy, create green jobs, and make their communities more livable.
Chavez will direct ICLEI’s ongoing efforts to empower local governments with tools, resources, and expertise to achieve their goals.
“Mayor Chavez has very a strong record in the environmental, social justice, and economic development arenas,” Patrick Hays, ICLEI USA President and Board Chairman and Mayor of North Little Rock, Ark, said in a statement. “His drive and experience are perfectly suited to build and serve ICLEI’s 600+ local government members, and work with our federal and state partners.”
Chavez was considered one of the nation’s “greenest” mayors. He joins ICLEI during a period when the organization sais it is experiencing “unprecedented membership growth,” as more local governments seek help to lower their greenhouse gas emissions, plan for climate change, save energy and taxpayer dollars, create green jobs, and develop plans to improve sustainability and quality of life for their communities.
“ICLEI has a successful tradition of helping cities and counties do more and do better,” Chavez said in a statement. “I look forward to working with fellow local elected officials and professionals nationwide, and of course with the very dedicated ICLEI staff, to achieve measurable impacts in the years ahead.”