Growing Sustainable Leaders for the Future
The Emerging Sustainability Leaders Class commenced in the Fall of 2020. This talented, diverse group of 18 outstanding individuals from a variety of business sectors is learning to apply new skills to advance sustainability in their organizations and the community. This year is the third year of the class since launching in 2017 and continues to grow in richness and in participants each year. Thank you to APS for serving as the program sponsor of this important initiative.
Learn more about the Emerging Sustainability Leaders program here.
Advancing Climate Action Solutions Today
Arizona Forward completed a series of six webinars between May 2020 and September 2020, that addressed key climate change and sustainability issues impacting the state of Arizona. National and local experts shared their perspectives and provided actionable information on climate action in an era of COVID-19, economic turmoil and social injustice.
- Bending the Curve on Climate Change: What Businesses Can Do Today
- Confronting Arizona’s Water Challenges in an Era of Change
- National Security in the Time of Climate Change
- Arizona Businesses and Municipalities Taking Climate Action
- Catalyzing on Arizona’s Clean Energy Future Today
- Paving the Way to a Resilient Arizona: The Critical Role of Mobility
For more information and to view past webinars, visit here.
Engaging Members of Congress and Arizona Climate Mayors
Arizona Forward led a series of discussions on climate action and the development of a statewide sustainability roadmap. The discussions enabled direct and candid dialogue on federal and state issues, enhanced relationships with members of Congress and positioned opportunities for continuous dialogue on climate and sustainability issues for Arizona. The discussions held included the following:
- Representative Thomas O’Halleran, 1st Congressional District of Arizona
- Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Senior Senator, Arizona; Mayor Kate Gallego, City of Phoenix; Mayor Regina Romero, City of Tucson; Mayor Corey Woods, City of Tempe
- Emily Cummins, Policy Advisor, Office of Representative Ann Kirkpatrick, 2nd Congressional District of Arizona
- Representative Greg Stanton, 9th Congressional District of Arizona
Learning About Arizona Residents’ Perceptions on Climate Change
Arizona Forward conducted a survey of 400 residents in the state. The purpose of the survey was to measure thoughts and perceptions of climate change in Arizona.
The objective of the survey is to help Arizona Forward members lead the way in developing sustainability priorities and climate action solutions that encompass shared goals for businesses, municipalities, non-profit organizations, counties, and government agencies.
Learn more about Arizona Forward’s priority of Climate Action here.
View or download the one page factsheet here.
View the complete survey results here.
Assessing What Autonomous Vehicles Mean For Arizona
After a series of townhalls throughout the state, Arizona Forward release a white paper “Autonomous and Connected Transportation: What We Heard from Arizona Communities”.
It is clear that autonomous vehicles can help to reduce carbon, lessen the impact of climate change, improve air quality, manage land use, maintain efficient use of the state’s existing transportation infrastructure and help secure the state’s economic future – especially as Arizona continues to grow at a rapid pace. The townhalls helped educate city planners, emergency agencies, transportation professionals, about the technology and its future for the state. Townhall attendees discussed safety, funding, legal concerns, cybersecurity and infrastructure planning for their communities.
Read the full white paper here.
Collaborating with Partners
Arizona Thrives – Recognizing that joining together we can make even bigger strides in bettering Arizona, Arizona Forward signed on to the Arizona Thrives Alliance to advance clean air and clean energy goals for Arizona.
Rio Reimagined – The Rio Rubbish Race in partnership with the River Network and the Ball Corporation engaged the community in a one-week effort to collect 5,000 pieces of litter and recyclables.
Environmental Defense Fund – Thanks to our partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, we were able to advocate for critical clean energy and climate action policy at the federal level and educate and engage our members in these important issues for Arizona.
Launching AZF Website, New Logo, New Look!
Our 50th Anniversary logo, created to celebrate this milestone and our heritage, was meant to exist for the two year time frame around our anniversary, but this year, Arizona Forward needed to update our look to achieve a more contemporary visual depiction of our story – connecting to our roots but in a contemporary way.
After hours and hours of work in focus groups with members, collaboration with designers and brand experts, and in conversations with the Board of Directors, a new logo was created. The logo and brand icon, a cactus within the state of Arizona, its arms embracing and uniting all areas of the state. It stands tall and proud, has stature and authority, and holds a grandfatherly type of wisdom. As just as Arizona Forward has been over the past 50 years, it has been adaptive to environments, and provides a safe space and nourishment for others.
Climate Action Summit: Thrive in 2035
Arizona Forward hosted a virtual statewide summit focused on how we can act today to ensure Arizona thrives in 2035, with 291 registrants participating in our sessions. Speakers included nationally renowned climate experts, Arizona congressional delegation members, and various experts on energy, water, agriculture, and resiliency.
Federal, State and Local Advocacy
Arizona Forward continued to advocate for important climate issues at local, state, and federal levels. Our relationships deepened with Senators Sinema and Kelly, and Representatives O’Halleran, Kirkpatrick, and Stanton as we advocated for policies that address climate change. Additionally, we championed the appointment of Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior and Michael Regan as EPA Administrator. At the state level, we advocated for sustainable long-term groundwater management and forest health. At the local level, our efforts focused in on several important issues including infrastructure for electric buses in the Valley, federal dollars for the City of Chandler Advanced Metering project, advancement of the City of Flagstaff MetroPlan, and the endorsement of the City of Phoenix Climate Action Plan.
Investing in Arizona: Critical Conversations and Collaboration
Several policy roundtables were held with members of Arizona’s federal delegation, and cities and chambers across the state culminating in a letter signed by five mayors, two chambers, and Arizona Forward’s Board of Directors. The letter, addressed to the state’s entire federal delegation, outlined a set of priorities for infrastructure funding for the state; clearly articulating a united voice for Arizona. Read the letter here.
Positive Membership Growth
The addition of new members who share Arizona Forward’s environmental focus was inspiring. 22 companies from across the state joined our current members in advocating for a better Arizona.
Climate Action: Webinar Series
More than 600 people registered for webinars hosted by Arizona Forward on key climate change issues. National and local experts shared their perspectives and provided actionable information on:
- Arizona’s Forests: Why We Care
- A Clean Energy Economy: What It Means for Arizona
- Ensuring AZ’s Long-Term Water Future
- How Can Arizona Envision a Circular Economy Future? Two-Part Series
Environmental Excellence Awards Finalists
While the awards program was postponed to 2022, Arizona Forward launched a campaign highlighting the 80+ project finalists with email, social media, and print media. These award worthy projects span a gamut of sustainability issues and serve as inspiration for us all as we move forward together.
Emerging Sustainability Leaders – Class of ’22
The fourth cohort of Emerging Sustainability Leaders Class commenced in the fall of 2021. This talented, diverse group of 22 outstanding individuals from a variety of business sectors is learning to apply new skills to advance sustainability in their organizations and the community.
Phoenix Mural Project
Continuing our partnership on the Grand Canalscape, and building on our long-standing efforts to promote canal redevelopment, Arizona Forward partnered with the Phoenix Mural project to host a mural festival for the public. More than 85 artists painted their visions of Arizona and sustainability along the Grand Canal in Phoenix.
Ensuring Arizona’s Groundwater Supplies for the Future
Arizona Forward began hosting discussions on the future of groundwater management and how business community leaders play a role in ensuring the long-term security and sustainability of this vital resource. In 2022, continued roundtables will be held throughout the state to educate and advocate for long-term solutions.
Letting Our Voice Be Heard
Board members vocalized the importance for climate action and infrastructure investment with the following op-eds:
- “Time to Keep the Good Times Rolling – Again” (Stephen Anderson)
- “Arizona Must Take Action Now to Combat Climate Change” (Lori Singleton)
- “Invest in Infrastructure to Help Slow Climate Change” (Bruce Hungate)
- “Why Intel is Investing in the Verde River…and All Arizonans” (Aaron Blawn)
Statewide Sustainability Roadmap
Significant progress was made on the following goals: Healthy Forests; Smart Transportation; Circular Economy; Parks, Open Spaces, and Trails; and Food Systems. We identified 14 goal areas of focus and great work continues on this important initiative.
Issue Committees
Arizona Forward engaged with 851 members and potential members throughout the state on a variety of topics discussed in the following issue committees meetings:
Sustainability Roadmap Committee
Long-term sustainability outcomes for the state of Arizona.
Water Strategies Committee
Ensuring long term water supplies and waterways.
Mobility & Clean Air Solutions Committee
Transportation solutions to enhance quality of life and environment.
Circular Economy/Waste Committee
(New!) Material waste reduction and reuse solutions.
40th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
More than 500 attendees gathered to hear who the recipients would be for the prestigious Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards presented by SRP. Projects were reviewed by a panel of 13 judges led by Gene D’Adamo, President and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. A total of 81 projects were finalists and of those, 15 received Awards of Distinction, and 11 received Crescordia Awards. The biggest winner of the evening was the Coconino County Forest Restoration Initiative, which received the President’s Award, the top honor of all project submissions, and the Governor’s Award for Arizona’s Future. The project, a statewide model of collaborative and forward-thinking policy, protected the forests and economic vitality of northern Arizona, and the safety of all citizens.
Crescordia Award
Federal, State, and Local Advocacy
Arizona Forward led an effort to send a letter to all members of Arizona’s Congressional Delegation requesting support for the Inflation Reduction Act. The letter was signed by Arizona Forward and nine mayors and two council members. Senators Sinema and Kelly were extremely instrumental in this monumental climate legislation.
At the state level, we advocated for the legislature’s support of the State’s Healthy Forest Initiative and the Good Neighbor Authority Program, which are critically important functions of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
At the local level, our efforts focused on several important issues including RAISE grant funding for Rio Reimagined, the City of Phoenix’s Electric Vehicle Roadmap, and the extension of Proposition 400.
Lori Singleton and U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg
Emerging Sustainability Leaders
Sustainability transformation needs leadership. Otherwise, the progress we create loses momentum when the torch isn’t passed on. This is why we designed a program to nurture today’s forward thinkers so that they become tomorrow’s sustainability leaders. The fourth cohort of Emerging Sustainability Leaders graduated in May, and the fifth cohort commenced in October. With a combined total of 50 outstanding individuals, these early career sustainability professionals are driving positive change within their organizations and communities. Thank you to APS, our program sponsor.
2022 Emerging Leaders Graduation
Climate Action
More than 500 people registered for events hosted by Arizona Forward on key climate change issues. National and local experts shared their perspectives and provided actionable information on:
- The Electric Valley: How Do We Continue Building Momentum in Arizona’s EV Manufacturing Sector?
- Water Strategies – Arizona Water Authority
- Forest Health – Carbon Offsets & Forest Restoration
- Electrify Phoenix: Celebrating Transportation Electrification in the Valley
- Get the Real Story: How Climate Is Affecting Arizona
- Sustainable Material Management in Arizona
AZF Staff with Councilwoman Ansari at Electrify Phoenix Event
Climate Action: Thrive in 2035
Arizona Forward hosted its annual Climate Action: Thrive in 2035 Statewide Sustainability Summit on October 11, 2022, in Tempe, Arizona. The in-person event addressed climate change issues in Arizona with an exciting lineup of more than 55 speakers ranging from local to national experts. Nearly 300 attendees joined us for two opening panels and recorded messages from Brenda Mallory, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of President Biden, and Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor & Infrastructure Coordinator, The White House. The afternoon lineup included a series of eight interactive breakout sessions.
Mayors of Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa pose with Duke Reiter and Lori Singleton
Letting Our Voice Be Heard
CEO & President Lori Singleton, in conjunction with Mayor Paul Deasy, City of Flagstaff, and Mayor Corey Woods, City of Tempe, vocalized the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act with an op-ed titled “Inflation Reduction Act helps Arizona Cities Fight Climate Change” that was published by the Arizona Republic.
Regional Councils
Arizona Forward’s three Regional Councils hosted meetings and mixers, inviting both members and non-members to join together for food, drinks, and engaging speakers. Councils convened to discuss current issues, regional opportunities, and actionable items in each of the three regions. Topics ranged from watersheds and water supplies, forest health, climate action plans, electric vehicles, the transportation sales tax, and more.
Northern Regional Mixer
Issue Committees
Arizona Forward engaged with 700 members and potential members throughout the state on a variety of topics discussed in the following issue committees meetings:
Forest Health Committee
Solutions that improve the sustainability and economic vitality of our state.
Water Strategies Committee
Ensuring long term water supplies and waterways.
Mobility & Clean Air Solutions Committee
Transportation solutions to enhance quality of life and environment.
Circular Economy/Waste Committee
(Material waste reduction and reuse solutions.
Water Committee Tour of Intel
Positive Membership Growth
The addition of new members who share Arizona Forward’s environmental focus was inspiring. Nine new companies from across the state joined our current members in advocating for a better Arizona.
Partnerships
This year, we partnered with eight local non-profits including the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, The Nature Conservancy, Arizona Thrives, Local First Arizona, Arizona Sustainability Alliance, ASU Sustainable Cities Network, the Arizona Recycling Coalition, and the Environmental Defense Fund.
AZF & AZRC Joint Policy Workshop
