Latest Releases
ICLEI USA and the New York City Mayor’s Office released a this case study at Global Climate Action Summit 2018, detailing why and how NYC has begun to divest billions of pension fund dollars from fossil fuels. This case study is the first in-depth look at this decision since Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement in January. It aims to show peer cities, large and small, that the principles and processes behind fossil fuel divestment are transferable to nearly any location where the will to divest exists.
What’s Driving Changes in Local GHG Emissions?: Results from Contribution Analysis [2018]
Part of a collaborative series from over 30 organizations released in support of the Global Climate Action Summit 2018, this publication showcases the action of states, regions, cities, businesses, investors and citizens – and assesses the opportunity for even greater impact. These actors have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. We focus on U.S. cities and counties to understand the interplay between local, state, and national action as well as their contributions to national and global efforts to reduce emissions.
Science-Policy Dialogue Report No. 1: Distributed and Localized Infrastructure in Cities [2018]
The localization and decentralization of key infrastructure systems — such as the intention to increase local renewable energy generation, decrease reliance on imported water, or increase local food production — has emerged as a potential strategy for helping cities achieve multiple sustainability outcomes spanning environment, economy, health, wellbeing, and equity. This document highlights Sustainable Healthy Cities network discussions from August 2017 to provide a implications for cities.
Local government agencies can use energy audits to meet energy and climate action planning goals by identifying potential projects that will yield the best returns. Energy audits provide an assessment of the overall energy dynamic of a building, evaluating energy efficiency, health, and safety through comprehensive diagnostic methods to identify, analyze, and prioritize energy saving opportunities. Whole building audits are a great tool for local governments to provide a roadmap for projects, validate budget planning, and harmonize potential incentives and rebates.
Moving from Commitments to Action: ICLEI USA Annual Report 2017
Released during key climate events in Boston in June 2018 — and on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the White House’s backing out of the Paris Agreement — our new report acts as a companion to the Localizing the Paris Agreement guidebook, showcasing how ICLEI USA cities are Moving Beyond Commitments to Action.
Case Study: Norwalk, CA, Participates in Cohort Training Model to Complete GHG Inventory [2017]
The City of Norwalk, CA, participated in the no-cost 2017 Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Cohort Session with 19 other agencies across CA. With the help of their CivicSpark Climate Fellow, they were able to complete their GHG inventory for 2012.
Case Study: Fremont, CA, Microgrid Demonstration Project at City of Fremont Fire Stations [2017]
Three City of Fremont Fire Stations are benefitting from a microgrid energy demonstration project that pairs solar photovoltaic (PV) carports with large battery systems to allow the facilities to generate and store their own energy, acting like mini power plants. The project is a public-private partnership between the City of Fremont, the Fremont-based clean technology firm Gridscape Solutions (Gridscape), and the California Energy Commission (CEC). The goal of the demonstration project is to show how such microgrid energy systems can provide added resiliency to critical public facilities by “islanding” (or operating separately) from the grid in the case of an emergency; the added benefits are that the City will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while saving significantly on utilities through solar generation and battery storage instead of drawing power from the electric grid during peak usage times. In addition, the project supports local cleantech entrepreneurship and has served as an important economic development tool.
Localizing the Paris Agreement:
A guide for Local Government Action in Support of the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution
This guide is intended to help local governments go beyond pledges and move toward action on implementing the Paris Agreement. Focusing solely on the national policies that can uphold the U.S. Paris Commitment (or lamenting the lack thereof) fails to capture some of the most promising actions that can achieve demonstrable emissions reductions. Those will happen locally.
To solidify itself as a low-carbon leader and support economic growth through energy efficiency, the City of Milwaukee has undertaken a comprehensive energy efficiency program for buildings. Building efficiency in the commercial sector provide particular opportunity for the City to curtail greenhouse gas emissions while epitomizing public-private leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Utilizing a mix of federal funding paired with a financing strategy that incentivizes clean energy upgrades, Milwaukee is on a path to retrofit 200 commercial and industrial buildings with energy-efficient upgrades to meet its goal of 20% building energy reduction over a decade.
Case Study: Achieving Sustainability Goals with EPEAT and ICLEI’s ClearPath in Durango, CO [2017]
EPEAT and ICLEI ClearPath are utilized by the City of Durango, CO, to achieve sustainability goals set forth in a Municipal Sustainability Action Plan. EPEAT-Registered IT product purchases have resulted in quantifiable environmental benefits, significant cost-savings and public recognition, while ICLEI ClearPath enables Durango to develop greenhouse gas inventories, forecast scenarios, visualize climate action plans, and track progress.
Protocols
Local Government Operations Protocol
Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments
Recycling & Composting Emissions Protocol
U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Guidebooks
Localizing the Paris Agreement: A Guide for Local Governments in Support of the U.S. NDC [2017]
Let’s Talk Communities: Communication Guidance for City and Community Leaders [2017]
carbonn Climate Registry User Manual v3.0 [2017]
carbonn Climate Registry video trainings
Building Climate-Resilient Cities Guidebook
Building Climate-Resilient Cities Toolkit
Climate Extremes Communication Guidebook
Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments
Solar Energy & Resilience Planning Guidebook
Policy
Case Studies
Case Study: Fremont, CA, Microgrid Demonstration Project at City of Fremont Fire Stations [2017]
Case Study: Achieving Sustainability Goals with EPEAT and ICLEI’s ClearPath in Durango, CO [2017]
Fact Sheet: Solar Energy and Resilient Communities
Case Study: San Diego County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Special Reports
What’s Driving Changes in Local GHG Emissions?: Results from Contribution Analysis [2018]
State of Local Climate Action: California 2016
Measuring Up 2015: How U.S. Cities are Accelerating Progress Toward Climate Goals
Connect with the 100% Renewable Energy Network-Issue 1 September 2016
Outcomes Report: North American Dialogue 100% Renewable Energy in Cities
Integrating Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Planning: Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy for San Diego Bay Executive Summary
Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy for San Diego Bay Full Report
Training Workshop: Climate Change and Hazards in San Diego
Strategic Reports
Moving from Commitments to Action: ICLEI USA Annual Report 2017
Toward 1.5 Degrees: ICLEI USA Annual Report 2016
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability Corporate Report 2014