City of Orlando
At a Glance
Industry
Government/Public Administration
Project Types
Climate Justice/Energy Equity, Data Analysis, Goals/Targets
Year
2024
Location
Orlando, FL
Summary
Brodie Roberts enhanced the City of Orlando's climate reporting and developed targeted tools and data-driven recommendations to reduce energy burden and promote equitable access to energy efficiency resources for residents.
Goals
The City of Orlando's Office of Sustainability, Resiliency, and Future-Ready continues to lead innovative sustainability efforts within local government. With local energy burdens 19% higher than the national average, the city is dedicated to inclusive decarbonization strategies aligned with its Net Zero 2050 target. EDF Climate Corps fellow Brodie Roberts was brought on to advance the city's long-term energy equity initiatives and enhance the consistency of its sustainability reporting.
Solutions
Energy Equity: Brodie developed a user-friendly, resident-facing tool—the Orange County Utility Assistance & Energy Efficiency Program Eligibility Screening—to help both renters and homeowners access eligible utility-specific initiatives, local and federal weatherization financing options, and practical conservation tips, empowering residents to reduce energy costs and improve home efficiency.
Data Analysis: Leveraging the Greenlink Equity Dataset, Brodie conducted a detailed statistical analysis to uncover correlations between energy burden and various socioeconomic and health indicators. He formulated regression models and provided strategic methodologies for utilizing these datasets and GIS mapping to target regions most in need of energy equity interventions.
Climate Reporting: Brodie developed a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, and streamlined the process with a tracking tool for current and future carbon emission data. He also expanded the city's CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) response by 30%, showcasing Orlando's sustainability and climate resilience efforts in alignment with C40 Cities standards.
Potential Impact
Brodie’s contributions equip the City of Orlando with effective tools and strategies to address energy inequity and advance its sustainability goals. The implementation of the Eligibility Screening Tool, if fully utilized, has the potential to reduce energy consumption by 1.3 million kWh and save residents approximately $150,000 within the first year alone, significantly improving quality of life for those most affected by high energy costs. Additionally, the refined GHG inventory and enhanced CDP reporting strengthen the city's ability to monitor progress toward its 2050 Net Zero target and reinforce Orlando's standing as a leader in municipal sustainability and climate action.