What do we seek to accomplish?

We hope to identify and address environmental and resource pressures in Silicon Valley through a broad partnership of stakeholders representing Silicon Valley businesses, environmental and public interest groups, governments and private citizens. To do this, we intend to:

• Create an environmental management system (EMS) for the region.
• Undertake collaborative projects involving businesses, government agencies, non-government organizations and private citizens to significantly reduce selected environmental or resource pressures.

Who are we?

Sponsors of the project are the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group and the Silicon Valley Environmental Partnership. An organizing team, consisting of representatives from federal, state and local government, Silicon Valley businesses, local environmental organizations, academics and other interested parties was formed to develop the project.

How is a Sustainable Silicon Valley defined?

Sustainable Silicon Valley is about our shared responsibility to achieve the levels of environmental protection and resource efficiency, social equity and economic resiliency that will ensure long-term viability for the Silicon Valley region and the well-being of future generations of residents.

Through the Silicon Valley EMS we hope to create a framework within which, eventually, all institutions in the Valley can work in concert toward protection, enhancement and restoration of the environment and toward efficient use of resources.

What is the scope of the Environmental Management System that will be developed?

The EMS will encompass environmental and resource pressures within portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties known as Silicon Valley.

Who will work together to develop the EMS?

This invitation is the first step in convening stakeholders and interested parties from the Valley to collaborate in the development of the EMS, the identification and prioritization of the pressures to be addressed, the development of goals, targets, measures, timetables and strategies, and the implementation of these plans.

For more information contact: Keith Smith <ksmith@calepa.ca.gov>, (916) 322-2155.