SCAG Sustainability Awards
The SCAG Sustainability Awards recognize projects for outstanding contributions to the local implementation of the Connect SoCal, SCAG's Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy for a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous region.
CONTACT
For more information on the SCAG Sustainability Awards, please contact: contactus@scag.ca.gov.
- OUSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN SUSTAINABILITY
City of Riverside Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Bank Pilot Program
City of RiversideThe city of Riverside’s Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Bank Pilot Program is an innovative, first-in-county initiative that provides developers with a streamlined, low-cost option to fully mitigate VMT impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), at the lowest known statewide rate of $98 per VMT reduced. The program offers cost certainty and faster entitlements while generating a dedicated funding source to deliver citywide infrastructure projects that improve safety, reduce emissions, and expand multimodal access—which has funded 16 such projects so far. Developed through extensive stakeholder and community engagement, the program also modernized the city’s CEQA thresholds, traffic impact guidelines, and introduced the TREDLite tool to expedite VMT analysis and decision-making.
- MOBILITY
Active and Clean Mobility
Coachella Valley Link (CV Link)
Coachella Valley Association of GovernmentsImage
CV Link is a first-of-its-kind, 40-mile, multi-jurisdictional active transportation corridor providing a safe pathway, separated from vehicle traffic, for walking, biking, and low-speed electric vehicles across the Coachella Valley. Completed in 2025, the project connects residents and visitors to jobs, schools, services, and destinations while delivering measurable benefits in mobility, public health, air quality, equity, and economic vitality, particularly for disadvantaged communities.
Transportation Innovation
Experience Metrolink
San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, Metrolink, Riverside County Transportation CommissionImage
Experience Metrolink is a fare-free, technology-enabled rail incentive program led by the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority in partnership with Metrolink and IE Commuter. By providing up to 90 days of free Metrolink travel, the program lowers cost barriers to encourage lasting mode shift to rail and expands equitable access to jobs and services.
- COMMUNITIES
Great Places
Cottage Industries – Farm Block
City of Garden GroveImage
The Farm Block is an adaptive reuse and placemaking project in Garden Grove that transforms six historic homes and underutilized parcels into a walkable, mixed-use community destination centered on local food, small businesses, and urban agriculture. Delivered through a public-private partnership with Cottage Industries, the project provides affordable commercial space, a half-acre community garden, and vibrant public gathering areas.
Housing for Sustainability
Housing Accessibility Initiative
City of LancasterImage
The Housing Accessibility Initiative (HAI) is the city of Lancaster’s comprehensive strategy to rapidly expand diverse, high-quality housing options and meet 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment obligations. The HAI enables unprecedented housing production across market-rate, affordable, special-needs, senior, and accessory dwelling unit-integrated projects.
- ENVIRONMENT
Adaptation and Resilience
Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley Council of GovernmentsImage
The Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the San Gabriel Valley is a comprehensive, science-based framework that coordinates wildfire preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery across jurisdictions affected by the recent Bobcat, Bridge, and Eaton fires. The CWPP integrates advanced hazard and social vulnerability analyses to prioritize life safety, protect critical infrastructure, and support nature-based and built-environment resilience.
Climate Leadership
From Plan to Action: Pico Rivera Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Adoption and Early Implementation
City of Pico RiveraImage
Adopted in January 2025, Pico Rivera’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) establishes an implementation-focused framework to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, and build climate resilience, with a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. The CAAP prioritizes near-term, community-scale actions in electricity, transportation, and waste.
- ECONOMY
Economic Resilience
Calexico East Port of Entry Bridge Widening Project
Imperial County Transportation CommissionImage
The Calexico East Port of Entry Bridge Widening Project eliminated a longstanding bottleneck at this commercial freight corridor, strengthening the efficiency and competitiveness of California's freight system while supporting trade flows essential to both U.S. and Mexican economies. For Imperial County residents, the project delivers measurable quality-of-life improvements: reduced exposure to harmful vehicle emissions, safer pedestrian crossings, and reliable access to cross-border employment and services.
- CARMEN REMIREZ AWARD FOR EQUITY
Safe Travels in Nyeland Acres
Nyeland Promise, Oxnard Ventura CountyImage
Nyeland Promise is a community-rooted nonprofit advancing equity, safety, and quality of life in Nyeland Acres through multilingual, resident-led planning and advocacy. The organization delivers people-first initiatives—such as Safe Travels in Nyeland Acres—that improve active transportation, traffic safety, and environmental health for vulnerable populations while elevating community voice.
Award Categories
SCAG accepts Sustainability Awards submissions in nine categories. Applicants can submit their nominations under only one category. Each year, the SCAG selects a standout project from all nominations to receive the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award.
- Mobility
Active and Clean Mobility
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that expands opportunities for biking, walking, rolling, and other clean or micro-mobility modes, including electric vehicles. Projects should illustrate how they improve safety, connectivity, and access while encouraging a shift toward active and zero-emission transportation for a more sustainable and connected region. This category recognizes efforts that reduce vehicle miles traveled, support first- and last-mile connections, and integrate active and clean mobility options into broader community and transportation networks. Projects may also demonstrate collaboration across agencies, jurisdictions, or sectors to advance multimodal mobility and equitable access to transportation choices.
Transportation Innovation
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that applies creative or technology-driven solutions to enhance mobility, reduce emissions, and improve safety. Projects should demonstrate innovative approaches such as transportation demand management (TDM), systems integration, data-informed decision making, or new infrastructure and mobility strategies that advance a smarter and more efficient transportation network. This category highlights efforts that use innovation to optimize transportation systems, improve user experience, and deliver measurable sustainability benefits. Projects may also showcase collaboration across agencies, private partners, or technology providers to pilot new solutions, scale successful practices, or reimagine how people and goods move throughout the region.
- Communities
Great Places
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that creates or supports vibrant, complete communities and sustainable public spaces. The award recognizes efforts that enhance the public realm, promote placemaking, and strengthen local identity through thoughtful design, community engagement, and equitable access. Projects should demonstrate how they improve livability, walkability, and connectivity while fostering social interaction and environmental stewardship. This category highlights transformative public spaces (e.g. plazas, corridors, parks, and mobility hubs) that integrate transportation, housing, and open space to create enduring and inclusive community destinations. Projects may also showcase innovative design, adaptive reuse, or collaborative partnerships that contribute to a more connected and resilient region.
Housing for Sustainability
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that advances sustainable and equitable housing through increased production, affordability, or access. The award recognizes efforts that support transit-oriented development, streamlined approvals, enhanced housing resilience, inclusive growth in high-opportunity areas, and other related initiatives. Projects should demonstrate how housing strategies contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved access to jobs and other key destinations, and more complete, connected communities. This category highlights innovative approaches that integrate housing with transportation and land use planning, promote resource-efficient building practices, and foster long-term affordability and climate resilience. Projects may also showcase partnerships between jurisdictions, developers, and community organizations to deliver equitable, sustainable housing solutions across the region.
- Environment
Adaptation and Resilience
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that strengthens community resilience and prepares the region for climate-related hazards such as drought, wildfire, flooding, sea level rise, or extreme heat. The award recognizes proactive approaches that reduce risk, protect lives and livelihoods, and safeguard critical infrastructure, natural resources, and ecosystems. Projects should demonstrate how adaptation strategies enhance long-term sustainability, equity, and public health while supporting regional coordination and community capacity-building. This category highlights innovative and collaborative solutions (e.g. resilient infrastructure, nature-based strategies, and community-driven planning) that help Southern California adapt to a changing climate and thrive amid future challenges.
Climate Leadership
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that demonstrates exceptional leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions or sequestering carbon through clean energy, efficient buildings, low-carbon land use, green infrastructure, or zero-emission transportation. The award recognizes efforts that advance regional climate goals and contribute toward carbon neutrality while promoting community resilience and environmental stewardship. Projects should illustrate progress in emissions reduction, energy efficiency, or adaptation, and demonstrate collaboration across sectors to address the challenges of reducing emissions. This category highlights forward-thinking approaches that integrate innovation, equity, and sustainability to build a cleaner, healthier, and more climate resilience in Southern California
- Economy
Community Funding and Finance
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that mobilizes funding or financing strategies to deliver community investments that support economic development and long-term sustainability. Investments may include transportation, housing, green infrastructure, utility systems, or natural and working lands. The award recognizes innovative financial tools, partnerships, and resource-alignment strategies that help communities implement transformative projects. Projects should demonstrate how funding approaches advance equitable growth, leverage diverse funding sources, and maximize the impact of public and private investment. This category highlights initiatives that strengthen local economic foundations while achieving lasting social, environmental, and fiscal benefits across the region.
Economic Resilience
Honors a project, program, plan, or policy that strengthens local and regional economies and promotes long-term prosperity. The award recognizes initiatives that diversify economic opportunities, build workforce capacity, support small businesses, and enhance the region’s ability to adapt and thrive amid economic and environmental change. Projects should demonstrate strategies that foster inclusive growth, create quality jobs, and align economic development with sustainability and equity goals. This category highlights efforts that leverage innovation, partnerships, and community investment to build a more resilient, competitive, and equitable regional economy.
- CARMEN RAMIREZ AWARD FOR EQUITY
Honors a project, program, plan, policy, or collaboration that advances equity and fosters the growth of healthy, livable, sustainable, and economically resilient communities. The award recognizes efforts that meaningfully improve outcomes for traditionally marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented populations. Projects should demonstrate how equity principles are embedded throughout planning, engagement, and implementation that ensure community voices help shape decisions and outcomes. This category highlights initiatives that remove systemic barriers, expand opportunity, and promote environmental and social justice through inclusive and collaborative approaches that strengthen the region’s shared prosperity and sustainability.