Green buildings reduce energy consumption, use water more efficiently and utilize materials with recycled content, thus saving money and natural resources and related greenhouse gas emissions. Local agencies have taken a variety of approaches to embrace green building policies and programs, consistent with the unique characteristics of their individual communities.
Each year, buildings throughout California are the second largest contributor to the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, using enough energy to account for nearly 125 million metric tons -- roughly 25 percent -- of the state's annual GHG emissions. Taking action to make buildings more energy efficient and environmentally friendly helps conserve resources and lower a community's share of the emissions that lead to climate change.Read more »
The Petaluma General Plan 2025 reflects planning goals across all its elements that are designed to mitigate future greenhouse gas emissions. Highlights include policies that encourage higher densities around a new regional rail system and in the central core, as well as greener buildings among existing and future development.Read more »
A comprehensive update of the Livermore zoning code will better incorporate “smart code” practices, such as enhanced pedestrian and bicycle mobility, transit-oriented development, mixed-use and infill.Read more »
Chula Vista adopted measures aimed, in part, at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in new development. The measures emphasize building-specific energy measures for new communities, as well as comprehensive project design criteria to boost community wide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.Read more »
Windsor’s green building program is based upon Build It Green and LEED and applies to both new and expanded residential and commercial projects.Read more »
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