Report: Local governments lead the way in implementing climate policy in California

Among all U.S. states, California is at the forefront in the national push toward decarbonization, often leading the way with ambitious goals and novel adaptation solutions. At the ground level, local and county governments have been given the task of implementing those policies, according to a new report from the Institute for Local Government and the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment.

“California’s local governments, which include cities, counties, and special districts, play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s transition to a decarbonized economy. However, jurisdictions across the state have varying levels of success in implementing climate policies and programs,” reads a brief about the report published by Berkeley Law.

More than a third of the state’s cities and counties responded to a survey issued ahead of the report. Most said they’ve adopted or are in the process of developing a Climate Action Plan, and are active on policies related to transportation, land uses, energy and buildings. 

The brief identifies a number of takeaways from the survey responses:

Climate Action Plans are important, but not necessary, for action. Integration of climate-related activities is a challenge. State investment drives local action. More support is needed for climate equity and resilience. Service programs can add capacity. Collaboratives can be helpful, but need to be beneficial to all partners. Methane poses an opportunity. Finally, tailored funding is needed to overcome barriers.

“Over the next decade, cities and counties will benefit from significant investments from the California Climate budget, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act,” the brief says. “Realizing the potential of these investments to achieve climate benefits will depend on local government readiness and willingness to advance climate solutions.”

The efforts of local governments aren’t reserved to specific initiatives. Rather, according to the survey results, mitigation and adaptation efforts are integrated into diverse planning documents, including master plans, suggesting that administrators are comprehensively infusing climate policy within daily govenrment operations. Organizations are also collaborating across jurisdictional lines, partnering with neighboring agencies to address regional climate concerns.

A little more than half of respondents have adopted a greenhouse gas emissions target, and about 12 percent are in the process of developing one. More than a third of respondents are striving for carbon neutrality. And in that effort, about half have created a localized emissions inventory, documenting greenhousse gas emmiters in their communities. 

To facilitate engagement with constituents, local governments hold community meetings (58 percent), leverage online surveys (half), partner with community organizations (42 percent), identify community leaders (41 percent), and establish advissory panels and working groups (39 percent), among other things. 

Those surveyed also reported notable barriers to implementing climate mitigation strategies, from lack of staffing and funding, to limited inistitutional or political suport, according to the report.  

“The majority of responding jurisdictions have fewer than one full-time staff member dedicated to climate planning topics. about a quarter of respon- dents have between 1 and 5 full-time staff working on climate,” the report says. “Respondents identified funding and financial resources as both the hardest to access and the most important for supporting policy implementation.”

For more information and to review the full report, visit Berkeley Law’s website.