City's Office of Sustainability Publishes Second Annual Thrive Report

Metrics and data from Indy's annual sustainability and resiliency action plan updated to mark Earth Day 2022.

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability released its second annual report on metrics outlined in Thrive Indianapolis ("Thrive"), which is the first sustainability and resilience action plan in our city's history. Reporting on the previous year’s accomplishments, and published today on Earth Day, read the 2021 Thrive Annual Report here.

The original 59 ambitious action items, eight of which have been achieved to date, were measured by 28 output metrics (to be reported annually) in the 2020 annual report. These output metrics include:

  • Number of certified green buildings in Marion County

  • Number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations

  • Number of youth participating in summer and after school recreational programs

  • Percent of residents with health insurance

  • Miles of bike lanes

  • Number of electric vehicles registered in Indianapolis

  • Total tons of material recycled

The 2021 Thrive Annual Report also includes 18 performance metrics (to be reported every three years) demonstrating collective progress toward sustainability and resiliency under the eight Thrive elements: Built Environment, Economy, Energy, Food & Agriculture, Natural Resources, Public Health & Safety, Transportation & Land Use, and Waste & Recycling. These additional highlights include:

  • Carbon emissions from buildings

  • % of population living at or below the poverty line

  • Carbon emissions from energy generation within Indianapolis

  • Total community members utilizing food assistance programs

  • Per capita spending to maintain parks

  • # of annual days air quality impacts vulnerable populations

  • % of commuters who drive alone

  • Carbon emissions from the waste sector

Additional updates on Thrive and related partnerships (including the Bloomberg Philanthropies' American Cities Climate Challenge, local air quality initiative Knozone, and electric vehicle education campaign Highly EVolved) can be found by following the Office of Sustainability on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube or by visiting sustain.indy.gov; thriveindianapolis.com;  knozone.com; and behighlyevolved.com.


Indianapolis residents and organizations interested in collaborating or forming partnerships that will contribute to a stronger, more resilient Indianapolis are invited to email sustainindy@indy.gov to discuss opportunities.


About the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability
The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, also known as SustainIndy, uses best practices in sustainability to enhance the quality of life for all residents in Indianapolis and Marion County. Housed within the Department of Public Works, the Office of Sustainability promotes an environmentally sustainable city through different programs and initiatives that help improve issues such as air quality and stormwater management, as well as energy efficiency and environmental planning. For more information, visit sustain.indy.gov.

About Thrive Indianapolis
Thrive Indianapolis, published in February 2019, is the first sustainability and resiliency action plan in our city's history. It contains 16 key objectives and 59 ambitious but achievable actions that stakeholders will strive to accomplish by 2025. It is a road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that all of Indianapolis is prepared for and resilient to climate change. For more information, visit thriveindianapolis.com.

Mo McReynolds