This article offers resources to identify funding sources, as well as suggestions on key issues to consider when evaluating the cost of a project.Read more »
The Institute's sample Climate-Friendly Purchasing policy focuses on purchasing practices that help address climate change. Climate-friendly purchasing is the procurement or acquisition of goods and services that are a lesser or reduced source of greenhouse gas emissions when compared with competing goods or services that serve the same purpose.Read more »
The City of Emeryville has approved a Climate Action Plan and goal for reducing its emissions to protect the climate. By 2020, the city plans on reducing emissions from the whole community and the government operations by 25 percent over 2004 levels. The city's website include links to the adopting resolution, staff report and baseline emissions inventory.
Hayward’s Climate Action Plan was adopted by the City Council on July 28, 2009. The purpose of the Climate Action Plan is to make Hayward a more environmentally and socially sustainable community. The plan identifies greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets that are consistent with those adopted by the State of California as well as the actions that are needed to achieve the targets.
The City of Martinez Climate Action Plan presents goals, principles, and strategies for reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy and natural resources,and preparing the community for the expected effects of global warming.
The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) offers property owners the opportunity to finance energy efficient property improvements through the property tax system. It is an innovative new effort to improve energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy generation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
AB 811 authorizes all cities and counties in California to designate areas within which property owners may finance renewable generation and energy efficiency improvements through low-interest loans that are repaid as an item on the property owner's property tax bill.Read more »
Daly City's green building ordinance requires new single and multi-family residential buildings to be constructed in an effort to reduce construction waste, improve energy efficiency, conserve water, and promote building practices and materials that protect the environment and the inhabitants.Read more »
Established in 2008, the Santa Clara County Climate Change and Sustainability Program has developed a Climate Action Plan for Operations and Facilities, and Green Building Policy for County Government Buildings. Both documents are available on the program's Web page.
This Tool Kit provides an array of strategies and options that local governments can implement to help encourage solar developments in their region.Read more »
The U.S. Department of Energy developed this comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. The guide introduces a range of policy and program options that have been successfully field tested in cities around the country. The guide describes each policy or program, followed by more information on benefits, implementation tips and options, examples, and additional references and resources.
The California Energy Commission has opened the stimulus funding door, making more than $156 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds available to cities and counties, among others, for energy efficiency and solar projects.Read more »
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, also known as the IPCC, is the leading body for the assessment of climate change, established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences.
Clean Cities strives to advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. Clean Cities has a network of approximately 90 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction.
The CBSC Web site has a variety of resources, including the 2008 California Green Building Code (CalGreen Code) and links to online access to the complete state building codes and other related codes.
The Institute partners with a number of organizations that support local officials and community members on health and the built environment efforts. Learn about the resources our partners provide.
This four-page tipsheet provides a checklist outlining the “nuts and bolts” of the process of reviewing a typical application for development. Read more»
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