The STAR Community Index, currently under development, will create a national, consensus-based framework for defining sustainability and gauging the progress of U.S. communities. The index is intended to transform the way local governments set priorities, implement policies and practices, and measure and certify their achievements.
The National League of Cities is a founding partner in this national effort, along with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Center for American Progress.
Across the United States, there is a pressing need for a consensus-based framework to guide sustainable community initiatives. The STAR Community Index will remedy this dilemma, by providing a national system with indicators and metrics that will help local governments set priorities, maximize investments, and implement model policies and best practices. Communities will benefit from greenhouse gas emission reductions, environmental protection, new jobs, and healthier communities.
A key to STAR’s success will be its careful, consensus-based development process. STAR is being created by local governments and key organizations through a stakeholder engagement process. Volunteer committees lead the development of various aspects of the framework. To ensure the integrity of the system, the development process will include:
- openness, balance, consensus, and due process;
- standardized indicators and metrics;
- certification conducted through independent, third-party verification.
NLC is particularly focused on ensuring that the resulting tool is relevant and useful for all local governments of any size and capacity, and that it relies as much as possible on available information and existing reporting. NLC is committed to the development of STAR as an important resource for local government and serves an active role on both the Executive Committee and Steering Committee