This report is based on extensive interviews and a statewide meeting of community and construction trade leaders from five different regions of California. Many of the jurisdictions have included carbon strategies in their recently updated Climate Action Plans (CAPs), the documents that describe how cities and counties will achieve their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals. The Climate Leadership Forum (CLF) is a research organization devoted to enhancing data, methodologies, and tools to reduce embedded carbon in the built environment. StopWaste is a joint powers authority that serves 17 member agencies in Alameda County and provides services to 1.7 million citizens.
To further this effort, an informal gathering of a dozen cities and counties interested in implementing embedded carbon policies has been established, known as the Bay Area Embedded Carbon Support Group. The CLF has been working with StopWaste to develop a toolkit for local governments to use when assessing the carbon impacts of their building projects. The toolkit includes guidance on how to measure the carbon footprint of a project, how to set targets for reducing emissions, and how to track progress over time. The toolkit also provides resources for local governments to use when engaging with stakeholders, such as developers, architects, engineers, and contractors.
The CLF has also been working with other organizations in Alameda County to promote collaboration between environmental coalitions and other organizations. For example, the CLF has partnered with the East Bay Community Foundation to create a grant program that provides funding for projects that reduce GHG emissions. The CLF has also partnered with the Alameda County Green Business Program to provide technical assistance to businesses that are interested in reducing their carbon footprint. The CLF is committed to helping local governments reduce their GHG emissions by providing them with the tools and resources they need.
Through its partnerships with StopWaste and other organizations in Alameda County, the CLF is helping to create a more sustainable future for all.
