Evanston will represent the United States next month at a global conference on sustainability in local government as part of a year-long competition sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, the city announced Monday.

The city was named the 2015 U.S. Earth Hour City Capital after it was announced as a finalist in January along with Cleveland and Seattle. Chicago represented the country in last year’s competition, said WWF spokeswoman Susan McCarthy.

“It was an honor to compete alongside Cleveland and Seattle, large cities known for their sustainability efforts,” Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl said in a news release. “I am looking forward to meeting with leaders from City Capitals across the globe to learn more about their green efforts and how Evanston can continue to improve our sustainable efforts.”

The city, along with other Earth Hour City Capitals around the world, will encourage residents on March 28 to turn their lights out for an hour starting at 8:30 p.m. in a symbolic gesture toward fighting climate change.

The competition’s 11-member jury recognized Evanston’s energy program that aims to provide residents and small businesses with 100 percent renewable energy, as well as for setting sustainability standards for new buildings. Evanston is seven years into its Climate Action Plan that attempts to involve the community in environmental efforts, and the jury also noted the city’s installation of solar panels on its water treatment facilities.

“More than ever, individual and local actions are critical to reducing our global impact on our planet,” Lou Leonard, vice president of climate change at WWF US, said in a news release. “In the US, our cities are leading the way with innovative strategies to reach our nation’s climate targets and help reduce global carbon emissions.”

The winner of the global competition will be announced April 9 at the ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability World Congress conference in Seoul.

Email: juliajacobs2018@u.northwestern.edu
Twitter. @juliarebeccaj