The city of Kennesaw was one of four cities recognized Wednesday by the Atlanta Regional Commission for its efforts to implement greener and more sustainable policies.

This is Kennesaw’s first certification. The cities of Dunwoody, Norcross and Woodstock received higher-level certification after their initial certification last year. Sixteen communities have earned the Green Communities certification in the program’s three-year existence.

The program is a voluntary certification program for local governments, and is the first regional program of its kind in the country.