CLIMATE ACTION …

                              CLIMATE ACTION
                       PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
                                IN US STATES



       THE ROLE OF THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE STRATEGIES (CCS)

The Center for Climate Strategies is the nation's leading state climate planning technical
assistance organization. The staff of CCS have been involved in virtually every state
climate planning initiative since 2000, and is currently assisting six states with
development and implementation of comprehensive climate change mitigation plans, and
assisting two others with planning of specific programs. CCS is also providing
comprehensive inventories and forecasts of greenhouse gas emissions to 11 other states,
and acting as a resource for others considering action. See www.climatestrategies.us.


STATE CLIMATE ACTION PLANS

End Results

Comprehensive state climate plans include:

   ·   An inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990-2020
   ·   About 50 actions covering all sectors, using a variety of implementation methods
   ·   Goals and targets to substantially reduce statewide emissions
   ·   Reporting and registry systems to support implementation
   ·   Measurement standards consistent with state, regional and national protocols

Planning Process

Developing a consensus based state climate action plan requires about 12 months of
intensive collaboration. The process begins by convening representatives from key
stakeholder groups ­ from environmental groups to representatives of cities, farm groups,
industries, energy companies, and other private citizens ­ and building consensus around
technical issues, such as economic opportunities for specific actions. CCS facilitates
development of potential policy solutions jointly with a wide array of stakeholders in
partnership with officials from governing organizations. At the conclusion of the
planning process, CCS provides a detailed report with advisory group recommendations
who then work with the Governor, state legislature and other authorities, as well as
stakeholders, to implement actions. The process is

   ·   Fact based                                   ·   Implementation driven
   ·   Stepwise                                     ·   Transparent
   ·   Consensus based                              ·   Inclusive




CCS State Climate Action Fact Sheet                                                       1
Specific Actions

Together, the individual greenhouse gas reduction actions undertaken by US states to
address climate change, energy, transportation and natural resource issues covers more
than 250 specific state measures. A complete and comprehensive state climate action plan
draws from these exiting actions, along with newly conceived measures, to create a
portfolio of actions that are integrated into an overall plan.

Key areas of action fall into one of the following six categories.

    ·   Energy efficiency and                                 ·    Industrial process improvements
        conservation                                          ·    Waste reduction and recycling
    ·   Renewable energy                                      ·    Forest and farmland conservation
    ·   Transportation efficiency


State Climate Action Plans

To see examples of state climate action plans that have been completed or are in progress
in the West, go to any of the following links:

ARIZONA Completed June 2006
www.azclimatechange.us                                    OREGON Completed 2004
                                                          www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/GBLWRM/
CALIFORNIA Completed December                             docs/GWReport-FInal.pdf
2005
www.climatechange.ca.gov                                  PUGET SOUND (70 percent of
                                                          Washington State Population and
MONTANA In progress                                       Economy)
www.mtclimatechange.us                                    Completed November 2004
                                                          www.pscleanair.org/specprog/globclim/c
NEW MEXICO In progress                                    psp/pdf/rptfin.pdf
www.nmclimatechange.us


Contact

Tom Peterson, Executive Director, (703) 691-2199, tdp1@mac.com
The Center for Climate Strategies (www.climatestrategies.us) is a program of Enterprising Environmental
Solutions, Inc. (www.eesi21.com), a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing knowledge and
identifying best practices in environmental protection and policy innovation. It is active in the areas of
climate change, water and air quality, sustainable energy, land use and brownfields.

                                                  #####




CCS State Climate Action Fact Sheet                                                                      2