In the last several years, the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability's (OEQS) mission has expanded to include climate change and environmental planning, waste and recycling, water conservation, air and stormwater enforcement, environmental outreach, and community engagement. In Fiscal Year 17-18, OEQS staff planned and executed the inaugural North Texas Climate Change Symposium and partnered with the Nature Conservancy to establish the innovative Breath Easy Dallas school-based air monitoring network. In Fiscal Year18-19, OEQS built on these programs by developing the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) to help prepare and protect our community for years to come. Dallas City Council unanimously adopted the CECAP on May 27, 2020.

 

OEQS was established in 2004 to provide consistent and reliable leadership to the City on the environment and related compliance. City staff helped resolve federal litigation against the City for violations of the Clean Water Act in 2006 by establishing an Environmental Management System (EMS) for all operating departments. Dallas became the first US city to achieve ISO 14001:2004 EMS certification in 2008. Since that time, Dallas' environmental performance has steadily improved, and environmental risks have been effectively mitigated.

​

​