by jbs053109 f3 — June 3, 2009—The California Air Resources Board has approved a toolkit to help local governments reduce costs and aid in meeting the state’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals. The toolkit provides details on how cities and counties can implement climate friendly actions, success stories, climate action planning tips, and a list of available financial resources.
The toolkit gives guidance to local governments so they can take action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Suggested actions include:
- Reduce emissions from municipal operations;
- Realize cost savings from emission reduction strategies;
- Set policies for reductions at the community level;
- Estimate carbon emissions;
- Use available climate action templates;
- Replicate local government success stories; and
- Use networking opportunities to partner with others.
Through the toolkit, local governments can learn from case studies and how to successfully implement opportunities such as more walkable communities, purchasing power from renewable sources, and instituting energy retrofits for city- and county-owned buildings.
In the next year, ARB staff will work with local governments to test-drive the toolkit and develop additional guidance. A small business toolkit was approved by the Board in April.
AB 32 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in September 2006 and calls on California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. California is the first state in the nation to formally approve a comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction plan that is required under statute and that involves every sector of the economy.
See also “California ‘toolkit’ to help small businesses cut emissions, save money” on FMLink.
