Editing Camden County, New Jersey (section)

=== Sustainability efforts ===
Camden County’s geography along with previously unkempt stormwater management system makes it vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Its aging infrastructure combined with industrialization from within the county and its surroundings adds on to these effects, making Camden County susceptible to increased flooding, droughts, water contamination, extreme weather, and decreased air quality.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=2020 New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change At-A-Glance |url=https://www.nj.gov/dep/climatechange/pdf/scientific-report-on-climate-change-at-a-glance.pdf |journal=New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change |issue=1 |pages=2-3}}</ref>

In 1985, Camden County became the first county in the nation to mandate recycling. These recycling efforts consist of single-stream recycling, composting, and hazardous materials collection. Since then, the county has launched multiple projects and efforts to promote sustainability and mitigate the effects of climate change.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recycling Made Easy |url=https://www.camdencounty.com/service/environmental-affairs/recycling/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Camden County, NJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2014, the Camden County Board of Commissioners released its first sustainability plan, titled ''Plan 2018'', a living document outlining 63 initiatives across 11 action categories, including energy, conservation, waste reduction, water quality, green building, and public engagement. From 2014 to 2018, the county committed to retrofitting 50% of its buildings with energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems and green infrastructure.

The Camden SMART Initiative has become a national model for green stormwater management through its use of projects like rain gardens and green roofs, diverting millions of gallons of runoff. Camden City has also preserved over 1,250 acres of open space and increased the urban tree canopy for the purpose of improving carbon sequestration and mitigating heat island effects.

Another initiative includes Sustainable Jersey, an ongoing community outreach effort that provides green job training, environmental education, and municipal assistance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |title=Plan 2018: The Sustainability Plan for Camden County, NJ |url=https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Camden-County-Sustainability-Plan-2018-Final.pdf |journal=Sustainable Camden County}}</ref>

Despite these efforts, Camden County continues to face environmental challenges. The county received a poor grade in ozone pollution from the American Lung Association’s 2024 ''State of the Air'' report. Ozone pollution poses a threat to the health of children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma and respiratory illnesses. To address this issue, the county released new air quality monitoring efforts and education campaigns to raise awareness and reduce exposure.<ref name=":0" />