Bay Area

ILG Sample Climate-Friendly Purchasing Policy

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 »

Financing Sustainability Resource Center

See links to resources that can help local agencies finance local sustainability efforts.Read more »

U.S. EPA Programs, Tools and Resources for Local Agencies (Feb. 2008)

Plan Bay Area/YouChoose Workshops

Attend a workshop and explore an interactive web-based simulation outlining different growth options for the Bay Area.Read more »

EPA Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative

EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative provides tools and resources to assist water and wastewater utilities in developing and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, with the goal of a more resilient water sector.Read more »

URBEMIS & BGM Online Training

Learn how to estimate emissions, including GHG emissions, for new developments using URBEMIS and BGM.Read more »

In Focus: Air Pollution, Climate Change and the Bay Area 2010 Clean Air Plan

Written and posted by BAAQMD, January 2011.

How will climate change impact air quality in the Bay Area?

Air quality in the Bay Area has improved significantly in recent years due to tight regulation of emissions from all sources, including industrial facilities and motor vehicles. Smoggy days have declined substantially over the past 40 years. Despite this progress, the Bay Area continues to exceed state and/or national standards for ozone (smog) and particulate matter (PM) on a limited number of days each year.

In Focus: The Last Mile and Transit Ridership

With about 27 million metric tons of GHGs a year coming from cars and light trucks in the Bay Area, increasing the public’s willingness to take transit, instead of driving, is a key component of meeting climate protection goals.Read more »

Napa County - Working with Winemakers to Achieve Sustainability

Estimated to contribute $11 billion to the local economy, the Napa Valley wine industry is both the economic engine of Napa County and one of the County government’s chief allies in climate protection.Read more »

City of Benicia – Developing and Implementing a Tree Program

Benicia updated its tree ordinance and tree program to reflect modern tree management practices and the City’s climate protection goals.Read more »

Sonoma County establishes Regional Climate Protection Authority

Community story written and posted by BAAQMD, December 2010Read more »

Sustainability Funding Resources

The following summarizes major resources to support sustainability efforts. The summary is not intended to be exhaustive. Additional targeted or other resources may be available in individual geographic areas. Because funding sources, eligibility criteria and availability change constantly, local officials are encouraged to review the programs themselves carefully.Read more »

The Oakland Green Jobs Corps

Local efforts to reduce energy dependence and slow the threat of global warming have the potential to create significant business opportunities. But as the emerging “green economy” grows in Oakland and throughout the East Bay, where can business leaders turn for skilled green collar labor? Enter the Oakland Green Jobs Corps, a program to meet the needs of local green businesses and provide green job training and employment opportunities for low-income residents.Read more »

San Carlos Green Building Ordinance

The City of San Carlos has adopted a Green Building Ordinance (August 2010). Read more to access a PDF of the ordinance.Read more »

Working with Energy Utilities to Finance Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Local agencies throughout California are striving to reduce costs, even as the demand for services grows. In this environment, improving efficiency helps agencies do more with their existing resources and can offer a high return on investment.Read more »

The City of Hayward - Adapting to Sea Level Rise

In response to sea level rise predictions, the City of Hayward has begun looking at options for enhancing the resilience of their shoreline.

BAAQMD Adopts GHG Thresholds

Air District adopts greenhouse gas thresholds for evaluating land use development projects.Read more »

LED Streetlights in Palo Alto

After completing a DOE sponsored demonstration project, the City of Palo Alto has decided to move forward with the installation of energy-efficient LED streetlights throughout the community.

Event: CAPCOA Climate Change Forum

Monday, August 30, 2010

This conference will focus on how federal, state, and local agencies can most effectively align efforts to advance climate change programs in California.Read more »

Climate Protection Staffing: Marin’s Collaborative Approach

The cities and County of Marin have formed the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) to share resources and expertise, and jointly hire a dedicated staff person to work with jurisdictions.Read more »

AB 811/PACE Resource Page

Current Status – PACE Programs on Hold

Event: Bay Area Public Meeting on Setting SB 375 Targets

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

A public meeting will be held to comment on draft regional targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks for the San Francisco Bay Area.Read more »

SB 375 Resource Page

Draft SB 375 Regional GHG Targets Released

Innovative Financing: El Cerrito Energy and Water Efficiency Program

The City of El Cerrito's Energy and Water Efficiency Program is a revolving loan fund that is helping the City improve the cost and resource efficiency of City operations.Read more »

Alameda County - Building Support for an Internal Climate Action Plan

Alameda County used an inclusive process to develop their 10-year Climate Action Plan for Government Services and Operations which touches on every aspect of County operations from fleets and buildings to capital planning and how services are delivered.Read more »