Destination DC (DDC) and the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) today hosted the second annual Sustainability Summit at the Embassy of France, bringing together leaders in tourism, government and business to advance sustainable practices across the city.
The event featured keynote speaker Frédéric Mazenq, director of Atout France, alongside speakers from WMATA, Destinations International, the Washington Spirit and the American Geophysical Union. The day prior, DDC held a sustainability certification workshop for hospitality businesses, led by Global Sustainable Tourism Council CEO Randy Durband.
The Summit also launched DDC’s 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) campaign and marked the start of its new destination-wide sustainability strategy, expected in FY2026.
Award highlights
The 2025 District Sustainability Awards, presented by DOEE, recognised six recipients:
- Ama – A restaurant focused on regenerative agriculture and non-toxic dining.
- Electrify DC – A nonprofit promoting electrification and energy efficiency.
- Leonina Arismendi – An environmental justice advocate working with Latin American and LGBTQ+ communities.
- OurFarm DC – A partnership with Covenant House to build urban farms and hire formerly incarcerated residents.
- Rodrick West – A RiverSmart ambassador and community leader supporting the Anacostia Watershed.
- A-Peace LLC (Clean Energy DC Award) – A property developer transitioning its portfolio to all-electric systems and solar energy.
“When we collaborate with local partners to prioritize sustainability, we create a stronger city,” said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC.
“These awards recognise leaders who demonstrate best practices and give back to the community,” added Richard Jackson, director of DOEE.
The event was themed around “ambassadors” and highlighted the shared role of local and international partners in building a more resilient capital.
For more information, visit https://washington.org/
