Program Updates
On a continuous basis, through the help of the Task Forces, the Certification Standards Committee reviews Sustainable Jersey program content, standards, and feedback to ensure actions are relevant, appropriate and up-to-date with current trends, information and expertise. Sustainable Jersey announces new program and action updates every year at the annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference. New actions and action updates are typically implemented in January.
Gold Star Standard in Climate Readiness
The new Gold Star Standard in Climate Readiness is now released. Learn more about the standard here.
2024 Retired Actions
- Build-Out Analysis: A build-out analysis is part of the new Comprehensive Climate Change-Related Hazard Vulnerability Assessment action.
- Green Building & Environmental Sustainability Element: This optional element for a land use plan from 2008 and the required components of this action are now captured in the Community Energy Plan or Climate Action Plan action and the Comprehensive Climate Change-Related Hazard Vulnerability Assessment action.
2025 Retiring Actions
- Reusable Bag Education Program: Reusable bag education and outreach initiatives could contribute toward the completion of the NEW Litter Prevention Education & Compliance action.
- Tree Protection Ordinance: This action has been replaced by the NEW Tree Protection & Replacement Ordinance action.
Category Changes
- Emergency Management & Resiliency category renamed to Emergency Management
- Heat Island Assessment & Mitigation Plan is now under the Land Use & Transportation category
2025 New Actions
Energy
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy: 10 Points
This action awards points to municipalities that (1) become a participating municipality in the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, pursuant to P.L. 2021, c. 201 by adopting the NJEDA’s model Opt-In Ordinance and (2) actively promote the C-PACE program to property owners, architects, engineers, contractors and other stakeholders. These efforts will help to scale utilization of the program and increase energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, water conservation, and resiliency in commercial, industrial, multifamily, agricultural, and nonprofit or institutional properties such as schools, churches, and medical facilities.
The Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“C-PACE”) Program offers a new financing option in New Jersey to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation, and certain resiliency improvements. The Program works by enabling eligible commercial, industrial, agricultural, and certain multi-family residential real property owners to access financing to undertake these kinds of improvements on their properties and repay the financing through the payment of an additional assessment to their municipality, similar to their real property tax.
Municipally Supported Shared Mobility Projects: 10 to 30 Points
This action is new in 2025 and supports the implementation of municipally supported shared mobility initiatives. It is a variable point action that awards 10 points for each qualifying project that enhances community access to sustainable transportation. Eligible projects include micromobility programs (bikes, e-scooters, e-bikes), micro-transit services using alternative fuel vehicles, and electric vehicle car share programs. Municipalities may submit for multiple project types under this action to earn up to 30 points.
Natural Resources
Tree Protection & Replacement Ordinance: 15 to 25 Points
This action is new in 2025 and replaces the existing Tree Protection Ordinance action, which will retire on December 31, 2025. It is a variable point action that awards 15 points for the adoption of an ordinance that complies a set of required provisions. These provisions meet and exceed the new standard set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requirements for municipal stormwater permits. Municipalities may earn 5-10 extra points available for adopting additional provisions.
Waste Management
Litter Prevention Education & Compliance: 15 to 20 Points
This action recognizes municipalities that have developed and implemented a comprehensive litter prevention education and compliance strategy aimed at decreasing the quantity of litter in communities and released into the environment. An additional 5 points may be awarded if the municipality documents it uses the RecycleCoach App - Clean Communities package as part of its strategy.
2025 Action Updates
Emergency Management
Extreme Temperature Event Plan: 10 Points
This action awards points to municipalities for developing an Extreme Temperature Event Plan embedded within the municipal Emergency Operations Plan to prepare for expected changes in the frequency, magnitude, and duration of extreme temperature events associated with our changing climate. The most recent revisions to this action include: clarifications to the action requirements and relationship to emergency management and climate change planning, and an update to the action resource document.
Energy
Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles: 5 to 25 Points
This action awards points to municipalities for adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The point changes provide: 5 points for hybrid electric plug in vehicles and electric low-speed vehicles (LSVs); 10 points for battery electric vehicles; 15 points for AFV medium- and heavy-duty vehicles; and 25 points for demonstrating that 15% of the fleet comprises AFVs. Documentation of current vehicle registration is required; for the 25 point level, a currently approved fleet inventory action is also required.
Previous Program Updates
View Sustainable Jersey's Previous Program Updates to learn more about the modifications made from 2009-2023.