Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed Shelby Busó chief sustainability officer, the city announced in a news release. Busó will oversee the city’s resilience and sustainability efforts, which include reducing residents’ utility bills by running buildings on clean energy.
“For us, this work begins with a focus on keeping cash in people’s pockets and helping residents overcome the challenges they face today, not just reducing carbon emissions,” Bottoms said in an emailed statement.
Busó’s appointment is effective immediately. As chief sustainability officer, Buso will help reduce energy costs for residents and reduce the number of residents living in food deserts by 10% by providing them with fresh food access, according to the release. She is also charged with implementing the city’s Clean Energy Plan.
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According to city officials, Atlantans spend 48% of their income on housing, utilities and transportation. For lower income residents, the percentage is even higher.
“Shelby Busó has the passion and experience to continue to progress our city towards a more sustainable one while reducing future climate impacts,” Bottoms said. “We are excited to welcome her to the team.”
Busó recently served as the community advancement and market transformation director for the U.S. Green Building Council. Previously, she served as sustainability director for Central Atlanta Progress, where she developed a 200-page comprehensive sustainability plan for Midtown Atlanta.
Busó also helped create Atlanta’s first public space recycling program while she was assistant transportation and sustainability director for the Midtown Alliance.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University. She also holds a master’s degree and Juris Doctor in environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School.
“I am honored to continue the work of making Atlanta a sustainability leader in the Southeast region,” Busó said in a statement. “Every day our environment and residents are counting on us to take action and further focus on building a stronger and more livable city. I am thrilled to join the City of Atlanta to advance those efforts.”
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