This toolbox contains 66 actions already taken by cities, counties, and regional governments which can mitigate the deterioration of the Earth’s climate. Feel free to adapt them to your region.
For details about the Actions offered by the Toolbox see the Overview
Use this filter to find local actions by region, sector, or state
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Increased access to ZEVs
Equity, Transportation & Land Use / November 05, 2021Description: The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund awarded funding to the Sacramento Air Quality Management District to start the CarShare program in the Greater Sacramento, CA area. It has provided free …
Implement neighborhood leadership panel
Equity / November 04, 2021Description: In July of 2020, the city of Oakland, CA approved its 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP), the City’s new 10-year plan for mitigating and adapting to the climate …
Use low-GHG cement
Industry, Materials / November 03, 2021Description: The climate action plan for King County, WA includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a criterion in purchasing decisions. King County implemented a tracking mechanism for concrete and cement …
Increase local renewable energy
Energy / November 03, 2021Description: The city of San Diego, CA was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to participate in a collaborative effort to explore new ways …
Cool Block program
Community Education & Action / November 02, 2021Description: The Cool Block program (previously piloted in the California cities of Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and San Francisco) engages teams of neighbors living on a block (or in an …
Hire sustainability coordinator
Community Education & Action / November 01, 2021Description: Novato (Marin County, CA) is an example of a small municipality, which can find it difficult to implement its climate action plan without dedicated internal resources and knowledgeable staff. …
Promote lowest feasible carbon emissions
Community Choice Aggregation, Energy / October 31, 2021Description: Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs serve their customers by providing different power products offering varying percentages of clean power, up to 100% renewable. Examples of CCAs leading on decarbonization …
Reverse high exit fees
Community Choice Aggregation / October 31, 2021Description: State level utility commissions in states allowing Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) may impose fees on CCAs intended to prevent rate increases for accounts that remain with investor owned utilities …
California reach code requiring solar and living roofs
Buildings / October 30, 2021Description: Effective January 1st, 2017, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to mandate solar and living roofs on most new construction. With the passage of this amendment to California’s …
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California reach code for cool roofs and solar PV
Buildings / October 30, 2021Description: Brisbane, CA adopted a local amendment to California’s 2016 Title 24 Building Efficiency Standards. The amendment requires installing cool roofs (reflective roofing that reduces sunlight absorbed by buildings) and solar …
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California reach code for efficient outdoor lighting
Buildings / October 29, 2021Description: Chula Vista reduced the maximum outdoor lighting power allowances (LPA) from the maximum allowed wattages in the 2016 Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for nonresidential building occupancies by 32-81 …
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California reach code (initially a zoning code) for solar PV
Buildings, Transportation & Land Use / October 29, 2021Description: In 2013, Lancaster, CA became the first city in the U.S. to require housing developers to install solar photovoltaics (PV) with every new home they build. This was accomplished …
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California reach codes for improved building energy efficiency
Buildings / October 27, 2021Description: Marin County requires increased building energy efficiency for all new single- and two-family homes and new multifamily low- and high-rise residential buildings. The ordinance identifies options including increased energy …
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Sequester carbon in natural lands
Natural & Working Lands / January 19, 2021Description: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has established a 1,132-acre Nature Preserve on its Rancho Seco property in southeastern Sacramento County, CA. The preserve provides long-term protection of the wetlands …
California reach codes for electrification
Buildings / January 19, 2021Description: The Community Choice Aggregation programs (CCAs) of Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) and the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability (OOS) are joining together to …
California reach codes
Buildings / January 19, 2021Description: The California Energy Commission (CEC) has established a process which allows local adoption of energy efficiency standards that are more stringent than the statewide requirements. These more stringent standards, …
Protected bike lanes
Transportation & Land Use / January 15, 2021Description: To reduce the number of bike crashes and increase bicycle ridership, San Francisco, CA has created protected curbside bike lanes on several busy and otherwise hazardous streets. The projects …
Reduce VMT by zoning – ADUs
Transportation & Land Use / January 14, 2021Description: An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a separate dwelling unit that contains independent kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities, and is located on a residential zoned lot, subordinate to main …
Fossil fuel peaker plant replacement
Community Choice Aggregation, Energy, Equity / January 11, 2021Description: Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) initiated the Oakland Clean Energy Initiative to replace a 40-year-old fossil fuel power plant located in Oakland, CA with local clean energy and battery …
Transition Streets
Community Education & Action / January 10, 2021Description: As described on their website, “Transition US is a nonprofit organization that provides inspiration, encouragement, support, networking, and training for Transition Initiatives across the United States. It’s a vibrant, …
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