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Santa Fe County was recognized for its commitment to sustainability, earning an A rating from international nonprofit watchdog organization, CDP, formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project. CDP serves as a benchmark for environmental transparency and supports organizations as they adapt to global environmental goals.  

Over 1,000 cities, counties, states, and regions voluntarily disclosed environmental data and were rated from A to D- on climate change, water security, and biodiversity initiatives. Of the 24 counties that entered, Santa Fe County was one of only four to receive an A rating, the highest rating available, for the 2025 cohort.  

The County was rated on what it’s doing to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and conserve water, whether led by the County or other organizations. This included everything from conservation easements held by private landowners to the County’s community composting program and building upgrades. 

“A benefit of participating in this program is that it gives an outside party an opportunity to evaluate our efforts, and when they say we’re doing a great job, it helps validate and affirm the value of our work,” said Santa Fe County Sustainability Specialist Elizabeth Houghton. 

The County’s focus has been on reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency in County-owned facilities. Last year, the County added solar panels to two facilities, bringing the total number of County buildings with solar to 28. Santa Fe County rated highly in conservation of open space, which continues to be a top priority in the region. 

Participating in the CDP scoring helps keep the Santa Fe County Sustainability division on its toes. The criteria change each year, and it can be hard to keep the A rating, but a focused trio of sustainability staff is actively driving the County’s environmental goals.

“The program shows areas where we can improve. If we’re not getting a full score in one of the categories, we can dig deeper and look for tangible actions to make,” said Sustainability Specialist William S. Donahoo. 

The work continues in 2026, with a focus on increasing electric vehicle capacity in the County’s fleet and updating buildings for energy efficiency and water conservation, including lighting improvements, updated toilets, and the addition of high-efficiency HVAC and new electrical transformers. Every action the County takes toward environmental sustainability counts. 

The County identified its sustainability priorities in Resolution 2023-074, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030. 

You can read about County sustainability initiatives and priorities on the County website and join the Sustainability e-newsletter for updates. 

“It takes a team, and we have a great team in Santa Fe County,” said Santa Fe County Sustainability Manager Jacqueline Y. Beam.