Sarah Francisco, Director, Virginia Office
“As an organization that tackles climate change, SELC has taken some big steps in recent years to cut the greenhouse gas emissions of our Headquarters and Virginia office here in Charlottesville. We are excited to join the Green Business Alliance and to work with C3 and other local organizations and businesses to further reduce our collective climate footprint.”
About SELC
The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment rooted right here in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. We work each and every day to transform our region, moving us away from fossil fuels to clean energy, righting environmental injustices, stopping pollution, and protecting wild places. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 200, including more than 100 attorneys, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Our Commitment to the South’s Environment
With a mission to protect the South’s environment, it is important that our organizational decisions reflect our values. That’s why when we relocated our headquarters in 2022, we obtained LEED Gold certification for our office space. The building’s location and facilities support more sustainable alternatives to single-occupancy-vehicle commuting as well as EV use to reduce transportation-related emissions. Water- and energy-efficient appliances and fixtures, coupled with advanced metering systems, have significantly reduced our utility usage and enabled us to better monitor our consumption. Lastly, we continue to offer expanded recycling and are enrolled in a commercial composting service.
SELC and the Green Business Alliance
We’re always mindful of and open to additional ways we can reduce our impact and are excited to join the Green Business Alliance for the opportunity to learn with others in the local business community that are looking to do the same. In particular, with the support of C3 and our fellow cohort members, we aim to continue to improve our energy efficiency and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions related to electricity use in the heating and cooling of our new space.
The SELC Team
Senior Associate Attorney Josephus Allmond at a community solar event in Northern Virginia