Overarching Climate Policies and Frameworks
Given that many diverse policies and programs are required to achieve decarbonization, it’s critical to have an overarching framework to set emissions reductions goals, measure progress towards those goals, and evaluate the overall costs and benefits to your community. This can help keep your local government on track by eliminating emissions while also ensuring that these efforts are beneficial to the health and well being of those living in your community, especially those who have experienced injustice when it comes to their environment.
Climate Action Plans
Climate action plans are useful tools for accelerating municipal climate action. The most effective climate action plans have specific emissions reductions requirements or goals, with interim requirements along the way towards those larger goals. Strong climate action plans usually contain specific policy recommendations, guidance on how to implement those policies, and an estimate of the climate impact of those policies.
Resources
2022 Overview of Climate Action Plan Best Practices (Fourth Economy)
Examples
San Luis Obispo, CA
San Diego, CA
Ann Arbor, MI
Cleveland, OH
Burlington, VT
Ithaca, NY
Environmental Justice Action Plans
All people should enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental hazards, and participate in the decision-making process where they will benefit from a healthy environment. Environmental Justice Plans take into consideration all stakeholders, especially vulnerable communities, when developing climate action plans
Resources
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
Inclusive and Thriving Cities Toolkit (C40 Cities)
Examples
Chicago, IL
Providence, RI
Seattle, WA
New York City, NY
Green Procurement
Local governments are major purchasers, using taxpayer dollars to buy everything from building materials to staplers. By applying sustainability criteria to all purchases, including a lifecycle analysis of the carbon impact, they can ensure they are not selecting products based only on price tag. Instead the focus is on the overall impact of the product and its delivery.
Resources
Green Procurement Playbook for Cities
Greening Government Procurement (EPA; 2022)
Examples
Orlando, FL
Portland, OR
Piedmont, CA
Seattle, WA
San Antonio, TX
Workforce Development
Decarbonizing our economy will require enormous work, requiring skilled professionals. In an economy where too many are unemployed, underemployed, or underpaid, this is an opportunity to create well paid and dignified work for those who need it. To do this, workforce development and training is needed. Municipalities can play an active role in this effort.
Resources
2021 Workforce Guide for City Climate Action (Inclusive Economics)
Growing the workforce needed for building retrofits: A guide for U.S. cities (2024)
Examples
Boston, MA
Cambridge, MA
Denver, CO
Dedicated Climate Funding Mechanisms
While good climate policy is also good economic policy, there is typically a cost associated with the implementation and enforcement of any new policy. Furthermore, those required to comply with new policies often have to shoulder an upfront cost. Dedicated municipal funding sources can help address both of these challenges.
Resources
How U.S. Cities Are Finding Creative Ways to Fund Climate Progress (Brookings Institute, 2023)
6 Approaches to Municipal Climate Funding (World Resources Institute, 2021)
Six ways for cities to drive climate investment (2022)
Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization - LPDD
Climate Budgeting in Pittsburgh, PA
Examples
Denver, CO
Portland, OR
Lawsuits Against Fossil Fuel Companies
Big oil companies have known about the impacts of fossil fuels on our climate since the 1970s. They hid this information and instead spent millions of dollars intentionally misleading the public about the impact that their products have on the environment and human health. They then continued selling these incredibly harmful products, knowing full well that they were causing local pollution as well as fueling a global climate crisis. In an effort to hold fossil fuel companies accountable, state and local governments around the country are filing lawsuits against fossil fuel companies.
Resources
U.S. Climate Change Litigation - Common Law Claims (Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, 2023)
Examples
Boulder, CO (2018)
New York, NY (2021)
Multnomah County, OR (2023)
Bucks County, PA (2024)