Climate Action Planning
Contacto
To support local GHG reductions through zero-emission transportation , reductions in vehicle miles Traveled (VMT), and building decarbonization, the 2022 Scoping Plan recommends that local jurisdictions prepare a Climate Action Plan (CAP). A CAP is a framework for quantifying, tracking, and reducing GHG emissions within a jurisdiction’s purview.
CAPs are not mandated by state law, and many jurisdictions have taken impactful climate action without a CAP. However, CAPs can play an important role in identifying, prioritizing, and communicating GHG reduction strategies, setting timelines, and allocating resources, as well as providing certain CEQA streamlining benefits for CAPs that meet certain criteria. Reducing GHG emissions locally provides valuable benefits such as improved air quality, greater housing and transportation options, and economic development opportunities.
An estimated 38% of counties and 48% of cities have a CAP. Because larger cities and counties are more likely to adopt a CAP compared to smaller jurisdictions, nearly 73% of California’s population lives in a jurisdiction covered by a CAP. However, many cities and counties appear to have no CAP or have an outdated CAP. To view all of the CAPs in California, see the interactive statewide map of California Climate Action Plans.
Target-Setting for Climate Action Plans
The Scoping Plan recommends that local jurisdictions consider the following criteria for GHG reduction targets:
- Be supported by substantial evidence and meet the criteria specified in Section 15183.5 of the CEQA Guidelines.
- Align with the State’s climate targets and include the years 2030 and 2045, at a minimum.
- Align with, and account for, State reduction policies, programs, and strategies outlined in the Scoping Plan, including the Scoping Plan’s priority areas.
- Consider their share of the statewide reductions based on the jurisdiction’s local characteristics, such as population and demographics.
- Be periodically evaluated on whether they are sustainable.
CEQA-qualified Climate Action Plans
CARB encourages local jurisdictions can adopt a “CEQA-qualified CAP,” which meets the requirements of Section 15183.5(b) of the CEQA Guidelines for “a plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” CARB funded research on the state of the practice, which found that 41% of the 260 known city and county climate action plans as of 2023 identified themselves as “CEQA-qualified CAPs.” This can provide opportunities for streamlining CEQA GHG analyses for projects consistent with the adopted CAP.
The requirements of a CEQA-qualified CAP include:
- Prepare a local GHG inventory (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1)(A));
- Establish local reduction targets, typically aligned with Scoping Plan’s climate goals (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1)(B));
- Forecast the jurisdiction’s emissions (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1)(C))
- Identify reduction measures to meet the CAP’s reduction targets (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1)(D))
- Establish monitoring mechanisms to measure the CAP progress and make adjustments if the plan is falling behind (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1)(E))
- Adopt the CAP through a public review process following CEQA environmental review (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5(b)(1)(F))
GHG Inventories for Climate Action Plans
When developing a CAP to reduce GHG emissions within their communities, local jurisdictions must first understand how and where GHG emissions are being emitted. This is most often done by preparing a local GHG inventory following commonly accepted methodologies and protocols. Performing a local GHG inventory can help a jurisdiction set the most appropriate GHG reduction targets and prioritize the most effective GHG reduction strategies. In addition, a GHG inventory is required if a jurisdiction wishes to prepare a CEQA-qualified CAP.
Resources for preparing GHG Inventories for CAPs:
- Chapter 8 from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation’s General Plan Guidelines provides guidance for preparing a CEQA-qualified CAP consistent with Section 15183.5 of the CEQA guidelines.
- The Local Governments for Sustainability’s (ICLEI) U.S. Community Protocol is the primary protocol used by California jurisdictions to prepare CAP GHG inventories.
- CAPCOA’s California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) can be used to assist with quantifying community-/plan-wide GHG emissions and reduction strategies.
CARB is engaged in efforts with research teams to provide additional resources and guidance for GHG inventory development.
Resources for Developing CAPs
Jurisdictions can benefit from preparing CEQA-qualified CAPs as they can streamline projects that help to reduce GHG emissions. However, they are not the only approach to local climate action. Jurisdictions can prepare non-CEQA qualified CAPs using the Scoping Plan’s three priority areas as reference points when developing measures, policies, and actions.
The following list of resources is intended to assist with the development of CAPs aligned with recommendations from the 2022 Scoping Plan:
- 2019 report on the state of CAPs in California.
- Map of California Cities and Counties with adopted CAPs.
- Map and database of general plans within California.
- The California Air Pollution Control Officer’s Association’s (CAPCOA)Handbook for Analyzing GHG Emission Reductions, Assessing Climate Vulnerabilities, and Advancing Health and Equity, which can be used to help quantify CAP reduction strategies.
- CARB’s Sustainable Communities Strategies evaluation page.
- CARB’s California Climate Investments program has developed substantial quantification methodologies and calculator tools for estimating GHG emission reductions and co-benefits.
- The California Energy Commission’s Building and Home Energy Resource Hub, which provides information, guidance, and rebates and loans for homeowners and renters, contractors, or local governments to reduce building energy costs and cut carbon emissions.
- Research on the effect of local government actions on VMT (Salon, 2014).