The city of Atlanta has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for promoting energy and water conservation.

The city received the 2017 Climate Leadership Award - Partnership Award Certificate from the EPA at the annual Climate Leadership Conference held in Chicago March 1-3.

The city has been promoting energy and water conservation through the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, which has a goal of reducing energy and water consumption by at least 20 percent in participating buildings across the city by 2020; and the Climate Action Plan, which details ways to reduce energy, water usage and waste generation as well as create jobs and improve air quality.

The EPA also honored the director of climate policies and renewables in the city’s office of resilience, Dr. Jairo Garcia, with the Individual Leadership award.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com