http://www.icleiusa.org/blog basesyndication http://www.icleiusa.org/logo.png http://www.icleiusa.org/blog http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/06/16/45-top-mayors-pledge-action-on-extreme-weather-launch-national-resilience-campaign http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/06/16/45-top-mayors-pledge-action-on-extreme-weather-launch-national-resilience-campaign The Resilient Communities for America campaign launches today: The mayors of Washington DC, Denver, Cincinnati, Sacramento, San Diego, Milwaukee, El Paso, Broward County and many others commit to creating more resilient cities and counties in response to nation’s growing extreme weather, climate and energy challenges   Forty five leading local elected officials today committed to creating more resilient cities, towns, and counties in the face of unprecedented extreme weather and energy challenges that threaten communities across the country. The “Inaugural Signatories” of the Resilient Communities for America Agreement letter pledged to take cost-effective actions to prepare and protect their communities from the increasing disasters and disruptions fueled by climate change, such as heat waves, floods, droughts, severe storms, and wildfires. In addition, they called for more action and support from federal leaders. Learn more at www.resilientamerica.org . Campaign Chair Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento: "Make a Commitment" “A new national movement is emerging, led by mayors who believe that now is the time to take powerful, proactive steps to safeguard our communities, adapt to extreme weather and energy challenges, and transform adversity into economic opportunity,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, CA, Chair of the Resilient Communities for America campaign. “Today I call on my fellow mayors and county leaders across the country to join the campaign and make your own commitment to creating more resilient communities that are strong, self-reliant, prepared, and prosperous.” Don Knapp climate mitigation climate adaptation clean power Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:55:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/29/how-to-encourage-energy-upgrades-in-multi-family-buildings http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/29/how-to-encourage-energy-upgrades-in-multi-family-buildings Photo credit: avrene via flickr. Text s ource: Text pulled directly from report,  Getting to Scale: Recommendations for Stimulating Investment in Energy Upgrades in Existing Multifamily Buildings   For the cities of Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland, CA one clear and largely untapped opportunity for making meaningful progress toward local sustainability goals is unlocking energy savings in existing multifamily buildings (i.e., buildings with three or more attached dwelling units). But energy programs for tenants and property owners may struggle to succeed and overcome barriers. The big question for local government policymakers: How can you motivate property owners to invest in energy upgrades? In a new report, " Getting to Scale: Recommendations for Stimulating Investment in Energy Upgrades in Existing Multifamily Buildings ," the three cities outline three recommendations based on research and extensive on interviews with local multifamily property owners and managers, close examination of the conditions that catalyzed past energy upgrades locally and in other cities, and research into existing multifamily energy efficiency programs throughout the U.S. and beyond. View the Report (pdf) Effectively motivating property owners to invest in energy upgrades requires achieving three main objectives, outlined below. Don Knapp energy efficiency Wed, 29 May 2013 21:10:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/29/chiefs-energy-challenge-pushes-fire-stations-to-save-energy-1 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/29/chiefs-energy-challenge-pushes-fire-stations-to-save-energy-1 The Chief’s Energy Challenge is a nationwide program for fire departments to reduce their energy use. The fire departments in Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh, North Carolina have issued this challenge to their peers across the country to reduce their energy use over the next three years. Using best practices and lessons learned from fire stations that are already in the program, this initiative strives to inspire energy conservation to help departments provide more and better services to their community. Don Knapp Wed, 29 May 2013 20:33:29 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/15/solar-in-small-communities-river-falls-wi http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/15/solar-in-small-communities-river-falls-wi   The  Solar in Small Communities: River Falls, WI case study explores the City of River Falls’ efforts to stimulate a local solar market, with a focus on the River Falls Municipal Utility (RFMU) Solar Feed-in Tariff program.  Together, RFMU, the local government, and the citizens of River Falls have developed a suite of energy programs for the community over the past 12 years.  Their success and continued dedication serves as a strong example of how a small community can work with its municipal utility to accelerate the development of a solar industry. This case study was created as part of the North Carolina Solar Center’s efforts under the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. As a member of this partnership, the North Carolina Solar Center provides information and technical expertise to local governments interested in implementing solar programs and policies. North Carolina Solar Center Wed, 15 May 2013 13:35:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/13/optimizing-municipal-facility-performance-retrocommissioning-program-toolkit-for-local-governments http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/13/optimizing-municipal-facility-performance-retrocommissioning-program-toolkit-for-local-governments In its Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan , the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) established a strategic framework for helping local governments advance sustainability within their jurisdictions. The Plan calls for local governments to influence the community, leverage local authority and lead by example by improving resource efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy bills in their own facilities. California Sustainability Alliance energy efficiency Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/01/beaverton-kicks-off-sustainability-forums-promotes-ipledge http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/05/01/beaverton-kicks-off-sustainability-forums-promotes-ipledge The City of Beaverton, OR, is taking a smart approach to community engagement around the creation of its sustainability plan. In March and April, the City held the first two of four sustainability forums that drew over 180 people combined. The forums bring experts to Beaverton to discuss how residents can make positive environmental, economic and social changes, and to educate the community about global, national, regional, and local sustainability issues. Don Knapp Outreach and engagement Wed, 01 May 2013 20:10:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/30/a-guiding-light-for-fhfa-one-soapstars-plea-to-save-pace.. http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/30/a-guiding-light-for-fhfa-one-soapstars-plea-to-save-pace.. (A message from our friends at VoteSolar) It seems that soap operas did not, in fact, go away after the 80s.  Because the ongoing saga of efforts to establish Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs play like an energy wonk’s version of ‘As the World Turns’. We’re writing with an update, and a request to take action to help clean energy solutions in America. VoteSolar clean power Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:10:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/30/eugene-or-reduces-energy-consumption-carbon-footprint http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/30/eugene-or-reduces-energy-consumption-carbon-footprint Even as its population grows, Eugene, OR is decreasing its energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, setting an example for cities nationwide. A 2013 progress report on the city's Community Climate and Energy Action Plan highlighted progress toward key goals on energy and fossil fuel use, land use and transportation, climate adaptation and community resilience, and other areas. >> View the Progress Report (pdf) Don Knapp climate mitigation success stories climate adaptation Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:40:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/25/atlanta-expands-sustainability-efforts-with-power-to-change-ambassador-program http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/25/atlanta-expands-sustainability-efforts-with-power-to-change-ambassador-program Call to action for ambassadors has committed 70 businesses and organizations to date Mayor Kasim Reed announced the creation of the Power to Change Ambassador Program at today’s 2nd annual Atlanta Earth Day Cleanup Challenge. As part of the city’s Power to Change sustainability initiative, the Ambassador Program will define and unite the sustainability efforts of government, business, academia, nonprofits and individuals. “To become a top-tier sustainable city, we must take a cohesive and collaborative approach,” said Mayor Reed. “The Power to Change Ambassador Program will help amplify our individual successes and showcase our full-circle commitment to sustainability”. City of Atlanta Outreach and engagement sustainability Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:06:23 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/25/what-can-chinese-cities-teach-us-about-sustainability http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/25/what-can-chinese-cities-teach-us-about-sustainability A view of Shanghai Blogger: Michael Schmitz, ICLEI USA Executive Director This article originally appeared on Environmental Leader, following Michael's April 2013 trip to China with Gov. Brown's trade delegation. Chinese local government leaders expressed strong interest in ICLEI's tools and guidance, and the climate and energy policies of U.S. cities. ICLEI will work to help connect Chinese and U.S. cities to share best practices.   Take a tour of China’s fast-growing megacities and you’re likely to come away astonished. Those of us who joined Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.’s historic trade and investment delegation last week were struck by the sheer size and rapid scale of development in dozens of cities, from Beijing and Shanghai to Huangzhou and Guangzhou. But a closer look, past the infamous veil of air pollution, reveals a lesser-known reality with incredible potential: China’s vast efforts to build sustainable, low-carbon cities from the ground up and to massively retrofit existing ones. Don Knapp International climate policy sustainability Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:15:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/24/iclei-gathers-leading-mayors-to-discuss-sustainability-challenges http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/24/iclei-gathers-leading-mayors-to-discuss-sustainability-challenges Leading elected officials at the BCLC panel discussion, "Lessons from Leading Communities": Pegeen Hanrahan, former Mayor, Gainesville, FL; Jay Fisette, Vice Chair, Arlington County, VA Board; Michael Schmitz, ICLEI USA Executive Director; Vincent Gray, Mayor, District of Columbia; Dawn Zimmer, Mayor, Hoboken, NJ. Last week ICLEI put a spotlight on the key challenges and solutions of leading cities: resilience to extreme weather, policy innovations to accelerate local energy efficiency and renewable energy; and sustainability planning to improve livability and economic prosperity. A panel of mayors and county leaders gathered to share their insights on these topics at the Bricks & Sticks Sustainability Symposium , organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center and co-sponsored by ICLEI. Don Knapp sustainability Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:20:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/22/earth-day-focus-20-cities-counties-leading-on-climate-resilience http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/22/earth-day-focus-20-cities-counties-leading-on-climate-resilience Earth Day is the perfect moment to focus on the biggest emerging environmental issue in 2013: the need for more resilient communities that can bounce back from destructive extreme weather fueled by climate change. ICLEI USA is getting things started with our fact sheet on 20 cities and counties taking the lead on resilience -- from Atlanta to El Paso to San Diego. Read about how extreme weather impacts them, and what they're doing in response to keep their communities strong. What is your community doing to create resilience? To learn more about what actions local government can take and how ICLEI can help, visit our Climate Adaptation page . Get the Fact Sheet (pdf)   What Is a Resilient Community? A resilient community is able to bounce back from disruptions—-climate, energy, economic-—in a sustainable way and maintain a good quality of life for all. Don Knapp climate adaptation Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:36:18 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/08/solar-in-small-communities-profile-of-gaston-county-nc http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/08/solar-in-small-communities-profile-of-gaston-county-nc The Solar in Small Communities: Gaston County, NC case study (pdf) examines how a medium-sized community can enable and encourage solar development in their community. The case study aims to share Gaston County’s efforts with other local governments as a testimony to the successful installation of solar energy on a local government facility and details the lessons learned from the experience. The case study also provides guidance for other local governments looking to install solar energy on municipal property. Kimberly Kooles, North Carolina Solar Center clean power Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:57:39 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/08/iclei-goes-to-china-with-governor-brown2019s-delegation http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/04/08/iclei-goes-to-china-with-governor-brown2019s-delegation Blogger: Michael Schmitz, ICLEI USA Executive Director When I was asked to join California Governor Jerry Brown’s delegation on a historic trade and investment mission to China , I jumped at the chance. ICLEI brings together city leaders from around the world, and this mission offers a remarkable opportunity to strengthen ties between U.S. and Chinese cities, especially since climate policy and energy investment will be major topics of discussion during the trip. Michael Schmitz International climate policy Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:40:00 -0400 http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/03/26/san-francisco-named-earth-hour-capital http://www.icleiusa.org/blog/archive/2013/03/26/san-francisco-named-earth-hour-capital In recognition of San Francisco’s comprehensive efforts to promote renewable energy and prepare its residents for extreme weather and other consequences of climate change, an international jury has named the city U.S. Earth Hour Capital for 2013. As part of this honor, the city will receive World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour Climate Leaders Award and $30,000 to support its work engaging San Franciscans around climate impacts on the city’s future. Nick Sundt, WWF Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:31:14 -0400