The ability to achieve meaningful GHG reductions varies greatly within each community, based on local land uses, physical location, public services provided and other key factors.
The partnership program is both flexible and comprehensive so that it can meet the specific sustainability and climate action needs of any given member municipality, agency, water provider or group.
Each partner’s community can be evaluated in the following 18 key areas that will provide a comprehensive summary on what sustainability and climate action has occurred and where further action could be taken.
1. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Planning
Every source of greenhouse gas emissions can be reviewed for potential improvements. Greenhouse gas reduction planning can involve every level of local government and community action including everything from agency operations to commuter behavior.
2. Climate Adaptation/Resiliency Planning
Climate action planning addresses the impacts of climate change as well as how communities and organizations can impact climate change. Potential impacts may include sea level rise and flooding, increased chance of wildfires, extreme heat days, decreased water supplies, etc.
3. Community Engagement (multicultural)
Messages that enforce behaviors that will positively affect climate change need to be communicated to people from all walks of life. It is also important to encourage public participation in development of local climate action and sustainability plans.
4. Environmental Justice
Be it the threat of sea level rise or the increased costs of development due to stringent building standards, disadvantaged communities that may be disproportionately impacted by such actions should be considered in any climate action or sustainability plan.
5. Community Based Social Marketing
This form of community engagement addresses changing specific behaviors that affect climate change like increased water conservation or recycling. CBSM can be also used in conjunction with other climate action programs like commuting programs to obtain measurable greenhouse gas reductions.
6. Commuting Program Development
Alternatives to single occupancy vehicle forms of travel assist in the reduction of local and regional vehicular emissions. Carpools, carshares, park and ride lots, bicycle incentive programs, pedestrian friendly development and transit oriented development (TOD) areas can be implemented as part of a climate action or sustainability plan.
7. Long Range Policy Planning
The long term implementation of greenhouse gas reduction, climate action, sustainability and energy efficiency programs improves when they are associated with updates to general plans and comprehensive plans. Environmental analysis ensures effective implementation is met in a manner consistent with agency and community priorities.
8. Urban/Community Design Standards
Urban and community design standards create an opportunity to influence standard of living, landscaping and water use throughout the community. This impacts new development, redevelopment, retrofits and additions to existing development. Design standards help reduce community emissions and increase standards of living.
9. Green Building
New development and retrofits affected by green building requirements are integral to emissions from community residential, commercial and industrial development. The potential for GHG reductions is substantial with Build it Green, USGBC LEED certification or other customized programs.
10. Green Business Initiatives
Supporting programs that are beneficial for green businesses bring the community together to support climate action and sustainability programs as well as provide small local businesses incentives to develop of similar programs.
11. Environmental Review Standards
This review determines compliance with existing State and federal guidance regarding climate change and develops best practices regarding climate action for specific organizations. Includes the requirements set forth by the NEPA and CEQA among others.
12. Agency Operations
Provides energy and cost efficiencies to agencies while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrading agency facilities also provides data that supports climate action and sustainable living as being cost-effective.
13. Waste Management
14. Water Resource Management
Through the use of renewable energy, water efficiency programs and streamlined distribution and delivery systems, water service providers have many opportunities to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save costs.
15. Agency Infrastructure and Facilities
Greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced, energy efficiency is increased, and agencies and taxpayers will benefit from the cost savings. Upgrading municipal facilities provides data that shows infrastructure and facility upgrades are cost effective and support sustainable living.
16. Transportation Facilities
Vehicular emissions are often responsible for half of all emissions. It is important to have policies in place to support hydrogen fueling stations, carpool programs and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Development of transportation facilities alternatives to address greenhouse gas emissions, and quality of life issues are major components of any climate action plan.
17. Alternative Energy
Alternative energy is one major component of implementing a comprehensive climate action strategy. Policy development, siting analysis, hazard mitigation, and cost benefit analysis are all components of implementing an appropriate alternative energy strategy both at the agency and community level.
18. Financing Strategies
Financing strategies that initiate and implement climate change programs are essential for sustainable climate action. General plan fee programs, special districts for solar financing, stimulus package funding options, and other financing programs can also help create long term success.
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