Government Agency Actions: Sustainable Leadership in your Community

Climate Change:

Develop your agency's strategy to respond to global climate

California Climate Change Portal One-stop shopping for information about state action on climate change www.climatechange.ca.gov/

California Climate Action Registry Helps government agencies establish GHG emissions baselines against which any future GHG emission reduction requirements may be applied. (www.climateregistry.org/Default.aspx?refreshed=true)

Climate Group Advances government and business leadership on climate change (www.theclimategroup.org/)

Cool Cities Solving global warming one city at a time (www.coolcities.ca)

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Resources for government agencies looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Offers a climate protection campaign that over 160 US local governments already participate in. (www.iclei.org)

Pew Center on Global Climate Change Research on global warming, its causes and effects, greenhouse gas emissions trends, environmental impacts, and possible solutions. (www.pewclimate.org/)

Sustainable Silicon Valley Collaboration of governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations that are identifying and addressing environmental and resource pressures in the Valley. (www.sustainablesiliconvalley.org/)

Community Engagement:

Engage community members in a dialogue to learn about their vision for the community, hear how the city/county is meeting their needs and how best to involve them in local government decisions that will affect them.

Community engagement Comprehensive listing of resources of community engagement and visioning (www.sustainable.org/creating/vision.html)

Urban Habitat Represents low-income communities and communities of color to advance social, economic, and environmental justice in the Bay Area region and beyond. (urbanhabitat.org/)

Planning for Sustainable Development:

Align your master plans with principles of sustainable development.

Association of Bay Area Governments Information on land use, transportation, regulatory changes and smart growth incentives in the Bay Area (www.abag.ca.gov/planning/smartgrowth/)

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Resources for government agencies looking to promote sustainability in their general plans, policies and programs. (www.iclei.org)

Local Government Commission Provides inspiration, technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials and other dedicated community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities (www.lgc.org)

Transportation and Land Use Coalition Regional coalition whose vision is healthy, vibrant, walkable communities that provide all residents with transportation choices and affordable housing. (www.transcoalition.org/home.html)

Procurement:

Include sustainability criteria, like purchasing from local, green business, in your procurement policies.

Center for a New American Dream Recommendations for responsible consumption. (www.newdream.org/procure)

County Green Business Directories for procurement of environmentally-friendly products and services available at: www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/enviro/gbus/ShopGreen.html

Green Seal Directory of products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. (www.greenseal.org)

Model policies and resolutions for environmentally preferable procurement (www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=372)

U.S. EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program Comprehensive site for designing procurement documents that maximize cost-effectiveness, environmental-friendly, and performance (www.epa.gov/epp/)

Sustainable Economic Development:

Foster a diverse mix of employers, in terms of both market sector and labor requirements, in the community. Provide opportunities for the workforce to become trained and employed, and support local businesses.

Bay Area Family of Funds, LLC Invests in retail, office, commercial, industrial, multi-family and select single-family housing opportunities that may make an impact on the economic and social revitalization of Bay Area neighborhoods. (www.basgf.com/)

Bay Planning Coalition Provides information on balanced use and regulation of San Francisco Bay-Delta resources that ensure economic prosperity and environmental protection of the region. (www.bayplanningcoalition.org/index.php)

Global Citizen Center Educates the public about our need to engage in new economic practices - as consumers, businesses, and communities - that are environmentally sustainable and socially just. (www.globalcitizen.org)

Sustainable Housing Solutions:

Strive to make housing available for the various levels of income earners within your community. Use green building design principles and resource efficient building materials in your buildings.

Green Affordable Housing Coalition Tell you how to incorporate green building practices into the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of affordable housing. (www.frontierassoc.net/greenaffordablehousing/index.shtml)

Local Initiatives Support Group LISC provides nonprofit community developers with the skills, information, and financial support they need to be effective agents of change. (www.bayarealisc.org/bay_area/programs/affordable_5342.shtml)

Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California promotes housing Solutions for low-income people who suffer disproportionately from the housing crisis in Northern California. www.nonprofithousing.org/actioncenter/campaigns/index.atomic