Custom Post Type Archives

  • How Cities Can Promote Affordable Housing While Limiting Emissions

    Emi Do

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    With new construction, come new greenhouse gas emissions. Without strong climate policies, these new homes could lock in 142.7 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, according to research by the Federal Task Force for Housing and Climate. That’s equivalent to consuming an additional 330,000 barrels of oil per year. 

  • Almost Every US State Has a Climate Action Plan!

    Emi Do

    Over the past two months, over 100 cities, states, and Tribes have filed Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAPs). They outline “shovel-ready” actions that local governments can take to reduce climate pollution. What do these PCAPs mean for climate action in the US?

  • It’s Time for More Ambitious Renewable Energy Targets

    Alia Dharssi

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    Wealthy countries must transition to 100% renewable energy generation in the power sector by 2030 and economy-wide by 2040. Municipalities and utilities are key.

  • Guidance on Climate Modelling from the White House

    Jeremy Murphy

    The White House has issued a memo detailing how climate-economic modeling can improve in order to support more effective climate action decision-making.  Based on our experience conducting modeling for over 100 climate action plans across the Americas, we’ve identified the same areas of improvement and integrated them into SSG’s modeling tools.

  • Montreal Commits to Climate Budget

    Alia Dharssi

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    For the first time, Montreal’s municipal budget includes a carbon budget—a cumulative cap on Montreal’s emissions out to 2050. By requiring City Council and staff to consider climate change in all investment decisions, the budget has the potential to push climate action forward while reducing spending decisions that increase climate pollution.

  • Night shot of a crowded street in Tokyo full of neon signs.

    How to Reduce Urban Consumption Emissions

    Kayla Rakes

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    Most urban climate action plans focus on greenhouse gas emissions generated within a city’s boundaries resulting— from things like heating buildings, fueling cars, and decomposing trash. But emissions related to other everyday activities like eating out at restaurants, traveling on an airplane, purchasing a new phone, and construction of new buildings are also driving the…

  • Lessons in Rebuilding After a Wildfire

    Emi Do

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    When the entire town of Lytton, BC, burned down on June 30, 2021, the community decided to rebuild better. Their process offers lessons for other communities facing wildfire risks. 

  • How Two American Cities Integrated Federal Funding Into Their Climate Action Plans

    Emi Do

    SSG collaborated with Lakewood, Ohio and Ames, Iowa to identify the role of specific federal funds through detailed financial modeling. They are, to our knowledge, the first municipalities to account for federal funding from the Infrastructure Bill and Inflation Reduction Act in their climate action plans—setting them up to save hundreds of millions of dollars by…

  • Land-use Planning is Climate Planning

    Jeremy Murphy

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    Land-use bylaws are one of the easiest mechanisms for municipalities to achieve low-carbon outcomes.

  • Workers in hard hats installing solar panels

    5 Tips for Catalyzing Climate Action in US Communities with CPRG Grants

    SSG

    State and municipal governments across the US are developing work plans and budgets to secure a slice of the $250 million allocated by the Inflation Reduction Act for climate action planning. We share five best practices from our time developing climate action plans with over 100 communities.