Climate Action Doing- Get to Implementation Already!

Course Details

Cities are constantly balancing constrained financial and staff resources with expectations for bold climate action from residents, elected officials, and other stakeholders. Much of the current approach to climate planning reflects how we have always approached the topic, while recent trends have introduced new topics du-jour for additional analysis like consumption-based emissions or nature-based solutions for local carbon removal. However, we are running out of time and cannot waste limited city resources on analysis where the results are already known.

Transportation and building energy are communities’ largest emissions sources and decarbonization solutions are finite and understood. Learn how priorities can be financed and the equity considerations needed to support a just transition. Presenters share what local nuances define the implementation approaches and how the framework for local mitigation solutions can be rebooted. Learn ways to consolidate best practices and move rapidly into deep implementation.

The presenters summarize lessons learned from the last 15 years in local climate planning, highlighting what analysis to avoid and why. The presentation outlines a new framework that emphasizes action.

Learning Outcomes

• Distinguish various analysis needed to inform climate action planning.
• Target local resources to maximize state and federal funding opportunities to fill the gaps left by state and federal programs.
• Consider potential equity impacts and solutions to integrate into the action development process.