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We had a very successful symposium on the Green New Deal options for Cities!  All the materials, including a recording of the workshop, and a follow-up fact sheet can be found posted here: https://www.cccclimateleaders.org/workshops/green-new-deal-symposium/. Download the fact sheet, for ease of reference, contains a robust list and links to all the various resources to assist you in getting this policy action on your next City’s agenda! Let us know if any questions: info@cccclimateleaders.org

If you missed the Driving Climate Policy in Contra Costa County workshop, and interested in engaging in the General Plan process and climate policies, you can watch a recording of the event here. For those interested in the slides, you can download a copy here. We hope you found the workshop useful and understand how critically important it is to engage in climate policies in your city. Go to your city council meeting, write a letter to your elected officials and sign our letter to stay in touch. Action you can do: Watch a recording of the event here. For Read more…

A recently released report tracks a city’s progress on policy to address the climate crisis. The report challenges local governments to engage in discussion and identify creative ways to increase their standing on the list. The City of Richmond ranked the highest on a compilation of existing data based on 20 different policy and planning elements. Some of the important elements that put them in the lead include declaring a Climate Emergency, updating their General Plan and divesting from fossil fuels. “The 4CL Report Cards are a reminder for Contra Costa leaders and residents of the hard work we’re collectively Read more…

What is a General Plan? State law requires each city and county prepare and maintain a general plan. It serves as its “constitution” for decisions concerning land use planning and expresses a community’s long-term vision for its future development. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing an update of its General Plan for the unincorporated areas. Other cities are also updating their general Plans. Click here to read. Many incorporate sustainability as the central theme throughout the document and includes separate elements to address climate-related policies. Contact us if you’d like to be part of an environmental stakeholders group, preparing comments Read more…

Please join us for Contra Costa County Climate Leader’s (4CL) next workshop on March 8 from 8am to noon. The topic will be “Solar Energy In Cities: Increasing Rooftop Saturation.” The workshop will be hosted in Martinez at 30 Muir Road in the ZA Room. You can view the Workshop Agenda here: 2018 Solar Workshop Agenda Please RSVP to info@cccclimateleaders.org.user.s1368.sureserver.com.

Please join us for our upcoming Transportation Workshop on August 30th. ‘Transportation Workshop: Transforming the transportation sector in your city!’ on Wednesday, August 30th from 8- Noon at the El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito Hosted by the City of El Cerrito Download the draft agenda here.

Local governments know the importance of municipal GHG inventories but what about community GHG inventories? These include GHG emissions produced from businesses which is often the highest within a city. The East Bay Energy Watch hosts a variety of energy saving programs for businesses and local governments to save money and reduce GHG emissions. Check out programs providing free technical assistance, instant rebates, and more here! Be sure to also check out our GHG Fact Sheet to understand the importance of GHG inventories and Climate Action Planning.

The Global Warming Solutions Act or Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) is a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gasses (GHG) that was passed by the state of California in 2006. AB 32 aims to improve the environment while still maintaining a prosperous economy. In response to this bill Contra Costa County Climate Leaders (4CL) partnered with ICLEI and the San Francisco Foundation in 2007 to educate City staff and Council on best practices for benchmarking and tracking GHG emissions. Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventories were created for 17 of the 19 cities in Contra Costa. For more information, download the GHG Factsheet here.

Join us on May 11 from 8am – noon in San Pablo for our next workshop! This event focus on the impacts of droughts and floods to local governments and how cities can build resilience to these events. We’ll have speakers from the State of California, water agencies, ABAG and local cities – all sharing ways for cities to develop water resiliency! What: 4CL’s “City Planning in a Changing Water World” When: Wednesday, May 11 Where: Davis Park Senior Center, 1661 Folsom Ave, San Pablo Who: RSVP to info@cccclimateleaders.org.user.s1368.sureserver.com or 925-631-0597.      

Where does your city rank when it comes to EV charging stations, Green Businesses, and Walkability? Check out our scorecards ranking each city in the County here! Our latest scorecard examine how cities stack up on the topic of Open Space Preservation.

Learn more about 4CL’s origins and updates on our mission by reading the article here.

‘Cities Racing to Zero Waste’ featured legislative updates, city case studies and more! More than 40 local government leaders were in attendance. You can find the materials now posted here.

If you missed our last workshop or just want a refresher, the materials are posted on our Waste Diversion Workshop page. Check out presentations and helpful resources on how YOUR city can reach zero waste!

  On September 23, 4CL received high honors at the 7th Annual Contra Costa Leadership in Sustainability & Green Building Awards Gala. 4CL received the “Leadership in Sustainable Communities” award for its work in sharing best practices with the local government staff of Contra Costa County on progressive climate action planning and GHG reduction strategies.      

This past October, 4CL was a nominee in the Seeds of Change competition hosted by Sustainable Contra Costa and won the People’s Choice Award! Check out the write-up the Contra Costa Times did on the subject here!  

The materials and presentations from our PACE Residential and Commercial Energy Financing workshop are now available!  Check out presentations from Renewable Funding, HERO, and Figtree Financing as well as best practices from local governments.

Donate to Generation Green’s 4CL program during the East Bay Gives event. Visit our personal donation page at the link below on May 5 and help us achieve our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Contra Costa County! https://www.eastbaygives.org//#npo/generation-greens-4cl

We’re improving on the site and will be doing some updates.  Both the content will be updated as well as slight changes to the user navigation to provide a better website experience.  Stay tuned……

Four cities in CCC have a Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance in place (Pittsburg, Richmond, El Cerrito and San Pablo), with more moving forward on the issue (Martinez and Walnut Creek). Get more information.

 If you missed our Drought Resilience Workshop for local governments…. the Powerpoint presentations, along with materials and important related resources are now posted: https://www.cccclimateleaders.org/workshops/drought-resilience.html. These materials make great resources for Climate Action Planning (CAP). Please let us know what topic you’d like to see for our next workshop!    

If you missed our workshop discussing how Local Governments are working to reduce the number of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)  in their cities, Please check out the presentations materials on our VMT Workshop Page! https://www.cccclimateleaders.org/workshops/vehicle-miles-traveled.html Next 2 Workshops are: ” Creating Resilient Cities” February 2013 and  “Drought Resilience and Livable Communities”October 3rd, 2013,Hosted by the City of Pittsburg, CA

  Tuesday, April 24th 9am-12pm Richmond City Hall – Richmond Room 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond CA 94804   Please join fellow Contra Costa County decision makers to learn about the rising issue of public health as it relates to climate change. Hear from other local governments who are addressing the issues through General Plan Updates, Climate Action Plans, and improved energy policy and practice. Our workshop includes: Speakers Moderators:  Lynda Deschambault, Exec Dir Contra Costa County Climate Leaders Joanne Genet, Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board (PEHAB) Panel Participants:  Kit Faubion, attorney, Meyers Nave Dr. Jeff Ritterman MD, PEHAB Read more…

Quantum Energy Services and Technologies (QuEST), Inc., is offering to help local governments in Contra Costa County develop municipal and community greenhouse gas emissions inventories.  QuEST will also create Energy Action Plans that include cost-effective strategies for Cities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Minimal City resources are required—dedicated QuEST staff will work with each city to produce meaningful results.  This opportunity is available for a limited time at no cost to cities through a contract with the PG&E Green Communities Program.  Contact: Tim Bankroff (timb@quest-world.com)

We are excited to join the blogosphere. Join in on our discussion as we share current news, Upcoming events , and share information about how cities can work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a  more sustainable Contra Costa County! Stay tuned …..

August – PDF Version Funding EPA Greening America’s Capitols The Office of Sustainable Communities in EPA’s Office of Policy is seeking letters of interest from state capital cities that want to develop in ways that reflect the principles of smart growth, green building, and the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is an interagency effort of EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Transportation to protect the environment, promote equitable development, and help address the challenges of climate change. The goal of Greening America’s Capitals is to help state capital Read more…