Climate Action Planning

California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan encourages local governments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions consistent with statewide targets, which is equivalent to reducing community-wide emissions 15 percent below current levels by 2020. Local governments should lead by example as they reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations. Local governments have the authority to pass ordinances, standards, and codes to mandate community level actions. Cities and counties can also adopt local programs as an important strategy to reduce community-scale GHG emissions.

Take a Climate Challenge

There are several organizations that offer an agreement, declaration, and initiative to challenge local governments to take climate action. The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (CPA) challenges local governments to reduce GHG emissions 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. The Untied Nations Green Cities Declaration challenges cities to reduce 25% of GHG emissions by 2030. The Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Initiative represents a more regional approach, which challenges county governments to reduce regional GHG emissions 80% below current levels by 2050. Cities and counties should actively participate in one or more of these challenges, which can not only spark motivation to begin focusing on climate change activities, but also bring recognition to local government efforts.

As of March, 2009, nearly 30% of California cities (over 141 cities) have signed on to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (CPA) to reduce GHG emissions 7% below 1990 levels by 2020. At least 13 California cities are members of the United Nations Green Cities Declaration with a goal to reduce 25% of GHG emissions by 2030. A total of 30 cities are members of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign.

Conduct a Baseline Inventory

Cities and counties are encouraged to use the Local Government Operations (LGO) Protocol to conduct a baseline inventory for municipal operations. The protocol is meant to provide “program neutral” guidance document available for use by any local government engaging in a GHG inventory exercise. The LGO Protocol provides guidance on how to inventory GHG emissions resulting from government buildings and facilities, government fleet vehicles, wastewater treatment and potable water treatment facilities, landfill and composting facilities, and other operations. For more information, or to download a copy of the LGO Protocol, please visit the ARB website. Cities and counties are encouraged to use the guidance in this Local Government Toolkit to focus on GHG emission reduction efforts even in the absence of conducting a GHG emission inventory.

Adopt an Emission Reduction Target

As part of California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan, cities and counties are encouraged to adopt targets to reduce GHG emissions 15% below today’s levels by 2020. In the Scoping Plan, "today's levels" are based on the statewide GHG inventory for 2005. However, cities and counties are encouraged to set a 15% GHG reduction target for both municipal operations and the community as a whole based on the most current GHG inventory conducted. Cities and counties are encouraged to adopt a GHG reduction targets consistent with or exceeding the statewide target such as those offered by several national and international climate challenges.

Participate in a Structured Program

Establishing a GHG emission reduction target is just one of the milestones outlined in the ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) Cities for Climate Protection ™ (CCP) Campaign. The program assists local governments to implement five milestones to 1) conduct a baseline inventory, 2) adopt an emission reduction target for a forecast year, 3) develop a local Climate Action Plan, 4) implement policies and measures, and 5) monitor and verify results. The CCP Campaign establishes a consistent framework for cities and counties to achieve significant results with climate action planning. The Clinton Climate Initiative has partnered with ICLEI to develop tools to assist the 40 largest cities in the country with achieving GHG emission reductions.

Adopt a Climate Action Plan

By establishing a climate action plan, cities and counties will identify approaches unique to their community to achieve GHG emission reductions. California cities and counties can look to early actions already taken by cities and counties to address climate change. The Office of Planning and Research maintains a list of cities and counties that have adopted climate action plans to address climate change.

Implement Policies and Measures

The Institute for Local Government offers a Best Practices Framework, which identifies climate policies and measures in ten action areas. Cities and counties are encouraged to implement as many of these actions as possible. Please check out the ILG Best Practices Framework .

Monitor and Verify Results

Cities and counties are encouraged to track changes in GHG emissions over time. Local governments are encouraged to conduct annual GHG emission inventories to determine the impact of their climate actions. GHG inventories can be verified by third parties to provide greater confidence in estimates of actual emission reductions.

Encourage Residents to Calculate their Carbon Footprint

A carbon calculator for individuals is available at www.CoolCalifornia.org. Local governments should encourage residents to use the calculator to identify strategies to reduce household GHG emissions and save money.

Challenge Residents to Go on A Low Carbon Diet

The low-carbon diet is the ultimate diet challenge. Local governments can encourage residents to lose 5,000 pounds of carbon in 30 days.