Tips to Develop a Climate Action Plan

A Climate Action Plan is essential for cities and counties to identify approaches unique to the community to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. One of the key components to developing a Climate Action Plan includes calculating a baseline GHG emission inventory. Local governments can utilize existing climate calculators to estimate GHG emission inventories of facilities or operations in order to determine the amount of greenhouse gases produced for a specified year. The results can be used to identify which sources contribute the greatest to local emissions and prioritize strategies for reducing GHG emissions. A Climate Action Plan specifies unique actions to reduce the amount of GHGs emitted annually or by a target year.

Climate Action Plan Template

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability developed a Climate Action Plan Template with funding through Alameda County's StopWaste.org. Local governments can adopt the Climate Action Plan as a stand alone element to the General Plan or the individual measures of the Climate Action Plan can be integrated throughout the General Plan.

• Download the Climate Action Template
• Cities and Counties Addressing Climate Change

"Rules of Thumb" to Estimate GHG Reductions

Three Sample Measures for Reducing GHG Emissions

Cities and counties can implement a variety of measures to reduce GHG emissions. The Local Government Toolkit provides a variety of suggestions in each of the categories listed within "How to Save Money." Below are three specific measures with associated GHG emission reduction potential that may be useful in developing a Climate Action Plan.

Retrofit a (10,000 ft2) Municipal/Commercial Building

Local governments can set a target to retrofit a certain number of municipal buildings to reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations. Additionally, cities and counties can set a target to reduce GHG emissions from existing commercial buildings in the community. For every 10,000 ft2 of municipal or commercial building floorspace that is renovated, an estimated 33 metric tons of CO2e could be avoided.

Assumptions

1. GHG Emissions - Commercial Building: 68 metric tons CO2e/year
2. 35% Capacity for Solar PV (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. business hours)
3. 20% Energy Savings to Heat Water from Use of Solar Hot Water Panels

Implement a Home Energy Retrofit Program for 25 Homes

Similarly, cities and counties can implement a home energy retrofit program with a target to affect a certain number of homes in the community. For every 25 homes the program is able to impact, an estimated 58 metric tons of CO2e could be avoided.

Assumptions

1. GHG Emissions - Average Home: 5 metric tons CO2e/year
2. 35% Capacity for Solar PV
3. 50% Energy Savings to Heat Water from Use of Solar Hot Water Panels

Replace 25 Fleet Vehicles

Local governments can set a target to replace existing fleet vehicles with alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles. For every 25 fleet vehicle replaced with a natural gas vehicle, the city/county can avoid an estimated 20 metric tons CO2e/year. For every 25 fleet vehicles replaced with hybrid vehicles, an estimated 26 metric tons of CO2e could be avoided annually.

Assumptions

1. GHG Emissions - Mid Size Passenger Car: 2 metric tons CO2e/year
2. Fuel Economy of 24/26 (City/Hwy) for the CNG Vehicle
3. Fuel Economy of 48/45 (City/Hwy) for the Hybrid Vehicle
4. 5760 Miles Traveled in a Year