Environment
by Harrison Starr
What’s The Problem?
Local governments must adapt to intensifying climate disasters. From drought conditions to rising sea levels, numerous environmental shifts loom on the horizon. Moreover, ongoing changes in public administration herald an uncertain policy landscape, as billions of dollars in federal spending on clean energy and climate infrastructure are rolled back. No individual community can resolve this problem alone, but local municipalities can implement policies and practices to improve their own climate resiliency in the face of such uncertainty. This roadmap surveys efficient and sustainable solutions for local governments looking to build a low-carbon society.
What are People Currently Doing?
Green Efficiency
Municipalities are the centerpiece to promoting green efficiency. ACEE has compiled a scorecard that ranks seventy-five US cities on their efforts to advance clean energy goals. This creates a guideline to better understand how cities are progressing in their initiatives and provides a recommendation framework for communities that want to improve. Collaboratively developed climate action plans, with clear, attainable goals, set standards to mitigate emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. The City of Encinitas aims to reduce emissions by monitoring and reporting advancements of climate reduction goals. Meanwhile, the City of St. Louis Park has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2040, and the City of Hoboken is redesigning transportation systems to improve efficiency. All across the nation, municipal governments are leading their communities to a more sustainable future.
Climate action plans are the most comprehensive approach to local climate action, but financial support is required to implement them. Georgetown Climate Center provides a Green Infrastructure Toolkit that details the various funding and financing mechanisms available to pay for green efficiency. Creating fossil fuel-free buildings promotes energy efficiency and overall financial savings. The funding mechanisms for creating green efficiency in cities are available, but promoting global climate resiliency requires a broader investment in infrastructure.
Infrastructure Investment
Local municipalities can invest in infrastructure through green energy and building electrification. Community Choice Aggregation allows communities to take control over their energy supply decisions. Local governments can aggregate electricity demand for residents and businesses within their jurisdiction and procure electricity on their behalf, with a focus on renewable energy sources, lower costs, and local economic development. This allows implementation of the SOLSMART program, which provides training and guidance in building solar energy infrastructure. The SOLSMART team of national solar energy experts helps expand the use of solar energy from region to community. Chicago sets clear targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy consumption in buildings and transportation.
Stringent energy codes for new buildings also prepare municipalities for a low carbon future. The City of San Luis Obispo prohibits the installation of new gas infrastructure and Massachusetts' Energy-Zero Code requires the design and construction of buildings to achieve zero energy. Mandatory benchmarking requires individual building owners to track and manage their energy usage, ensuring transparency in energy performance. Building electrification is an effective tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This Greenlining Institute framework explains the steps states and communities must take to implement equitable building electrification.
Local governments should implement equitable practices to improve climate resiliency and sustainability for the entire community. Home weatherization for low-income housing can create jobs, reduce utility costs, and improve the health and well-being of residents. Additionally, setting up a retrofit program in municipalities can ensure coordination with existing weatherization and reduce overall energy costs. Chicago is a model city, as they have implemented affordable housing, transportation, and a local clean energy workforce, as detailed in their Racial Equity Impact Assessment. The Towards Equitable Electric Mobility program was created as an advocacy network and financing program for members to train and expand electric mobility in communities. Building and training a workforce promotes green efficiency, and creates an equitable community centered around an innovative industry. San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura have partnered to form a workforce development program that provides training to maximize building performance.
Environmental Stewardship
Sustainable land, transportation, and water use promotes climate efficiency and equity in communities. Local park and stormwater agencies can maximize the environmental, economic, and social benefits of parks by using this green infrastructure guide. Legal frameworks to increase vegetative landscapes allow local governments to safeguard biodiversity and retain parks and public spaces. Mixed use development projects increase the sustainability of land use in cities and towns. Utility planning for electric trucks and bus fleets balance economic and environmental efficiency for transportation. Additionally, retrofitting suburbs to increase walking and biking, not only contributes to climate resiliency, but also promotes a healthy and engaged community. Practices that conserve water resources and protect water quality can safeguard municipalities from droughts and even mitigate wildfires. Integrated water management coordinates water systems and encourages collaboration between local agencies responsible for water in municipalities. See ProGov21’s Land Use, Transportation & Mobility, and Integrated Water Management roadmaps for additional strategies.
Taking it to the Next Level
To advance climate policy despite ongoing federal funding cuts, municipalities must develop independent revenue streams and enact binding local legislation. Implementing congestion pricing, as New York City has done, can generate funds to support sustainability initiatives while reducing carbon footprints. Impact fees on high-emission developments are legally enforceable climate policies that advance the recommendations described above. Boston’s BERDO 2.0 policy requires large buildings to cut carbon emissions over time, demonstrating how cities can set ambitious yet actionable sustainability targets without relying on federal support.
Beyond legislative action, municipalities can explore alternative financing mechanisms and legal strategies to sustain climate investments. Public banking and municipal green bonds offer low-cost, long-term funding options for cities committed to building climate resilience. The Bank of North Dakota serves as a model for how locally controlled financial institutions can support sustainable infrastructure and energy projects. State and local governments can pursue climate litigation against major polluters. Honolulu has filed a case to secure funding for climate adaptation against preemption and to hold corporations accountable for environmental damage.
It is going to take all levels of government to create universally sustainable practices. Collaboration between local and state governments advances climate resiliency, despite lack of federal cooperation. Organizations, such as the Midwest Climate Collaborative, focus on regional coordination to drive a response to the climate crisis. These regional organizations ensure local governments maintain their commitment to climate plans, such as strategic electrification. Coalitions are already forming in defense of a just green transition at all levels of government. America Is All In unites leaders from Mayors to Governors to meet the obligations of the Paris Climate Agreement and cut US carbon emissions in half by 2030. The Climate Mayors of the Mayor’s Innovation Project, has a network of nearly 350 mayors to support climate resilience in their communities, including educational memos, such as tax-exempt direct pay. It is coalitions such as these that unifies the country around advancing sustainable and energy efficient practices that promote a low carbon future.
Allies, Advocates, and Advisors
Mayors Innovation Project, our sister organization, is a national learning network for mayors committed to shared prosperity, environmental sustainability, and efficient democratic government.