Office of Resilience & Sustainability


 

 

The Mayor's Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) focuses on environmental stewardship and climate resilience in New Orleans.  Working in partnership with city departments, state and federal agencies, and community groups, ORS advises on policies and projects that impact our city.  We use the city's Resilience Strategy, Climate Equity Report, and Climate Action Plan as guides to do work across multiple sectors:

  • Economic
  • Environmental
  • Infrastructure
  • Social

ORS leads the policy development, implementation, and outreach for many resilience-building projects throughout the city. 

Our office has a wide range of duties.  These have included updating the City's Climate Action Plan in 2022,  as well as managing the development of green infrastructure and stormwater management projects.  We also develop federal funding applications for city infrastructure initiatives among other duties.  We aim to pave the way for projects that will make New Orleans a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable city for all our residents. 

Understanding the Impact of Federal Funding Changes on New Orleans' Climate and Resilience Initiatives

In January 2025, a federal executive order temporarily paused funding for numerous climate and infrastructure initiatives, putting over $139 million in grant funding for climate action in the City at risk. Although legal challenges have led to temporary restraining orders and pending litigation against the funding freeze, the situation remains uncertain. Many of ORS' federal funding partners have delayed or canceled meetings, leaving New Orleans in a precarious position as we await further guidance.  

If funding is halted, it could result in:

  • Delays in launching initiatives such as tree planting, solar subsidies for low-income residents, and EV charging infrastructure.
  • Disruptions to planned workforce development programs.
  • Loss of funding for community organizations that help implement sustainability projects across the city.

Read the full overview on ORS' federal grants at risk

We encourage residents, stakeholders, and policymakers to stay informed and advocate for the continuation of these essential programs.

Save the Date: New Orleans Safety & Mobility Summit

The City of New Orleans invites you to participate in the New Orleans Safety and Mobility Summit. This event will gather public officials, advocates, and community members to tackle the City’s traffic safety challenges. Share your voice and your vision for change to eliminate traffic fatalities in our neighborhoods. The Summit is part of the City’s Safe Streets for All initiative, led by the Office of Resilience and Sustainability, Department of Public Works, and Health Department. RSVP today!

 

 

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Watch the Vision for a Resilient New Orleans Take Shape:

Office of Resilience & Sustainability

(504) 658-4965 Email Office of Resilience & Sustainability
1300 Perdido Street Rm. 8E08 New Orleans, LA 70112

Monday- Friday 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
Closed Saturday & Sunday

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Latest News

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April 23, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Launches Update of Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Invited to Attend Community Meeting today to Help Shape the City’s Risk Reduction Strategy

The City of New Orleans is hosting a public meeting today, April 23, to gather input for the update of its Hazard Mitigation Action Plan (HMAP), a critical roadmap for reducing risk and building resilience against future disasters.  

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March 27, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Conducts Annual Christmas Tree Drop to Support Wetland Restoration

 The City of New Orleans' Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Louisiana Army National Guard, conducted its annual Christmas Tree Drop on Tuesday at Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge — an effort that transforms discarded holiday trees into vital marshland protection. 

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March 25, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City Partners with State, Federal Agencies on Annual Christmas Tree Drop to Restore Coastline

The City of New Orleans' Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Army National Guard, will conduct the City’s annual Christmas Tree Drop tomorrow.

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February 25, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

Mardi Gras Recycling Continues! Join Us at Recycle World Special Access Event & Sorting Demo Rescheduled Due to Parade Postponements

Due to parade delays, Recycle Dat! is rescheduling its Special Access Event and Sorting Demo at Recycle World to Wednesday, Feb. 26. from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 2 from 1 – 3 p.m. This interactive mega-recycling station offers an exclusive look at how Mardi Gras waste—beads, cans, and glass—is being sorted and diverted from landfills in real time. 

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January 10, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Extends Opportunities to Recycle Christmas Trees Through Friday, January 17

The City of New Orleans today announce the extension of Christmas tree collections. Residents are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to request a Christmas tree pickup through Friday, Jan. 17 if their tree was not collected this week. Requests can also be made by visiting https://nola311.org/.

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November 7, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

** UPDATE** Help Shape New Orleans’ Electric Future: City Hosts Public Meetings & Launches Survey on Electric Transportation Roadmap

The City of New Orleans, led by the Office of Resilience & Sustainability, invites residents to attend a series of public meetings scheduled for Nov. 12 - 14 to learn about and provide input on the City’s Electric Transportation Roadmap. These community meetings are a critical part of the City’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance towards the ambitious goals of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

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