Implementing Equitable Climate Mitigation Policies and Programs
ICLEI USA is the largest and oldest network supporting climate action at the local level in the US. Our membership network includes 500+ local governments who are leading efforts to build sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities across 48 states.
In 2023, we published The Ambition Gap: From Intent to Implementation in Local Climate Action, a report identifying the barriers preventing local governments from achieving the rapid emissions reductions needed to meet 2030 climate goals. The report identified the need for science-based policy frameworks for helping local governments more rapidly move from planning into action. To fill this gap, ICLEI is working to build a Climate Solutions Knowledge Hub which will provide best practice examples to help local governments implement their climate action plans and deliver clean and affordable alternatives for energy, housing and transportation.
As climate impacts intensify, it will be critical for local governments to prioritize climate investments in underserved communities that face disproportionate risk from both the impacts of climate change as well as the transition to clean sources of energy. ICLEI USA is committed to centering equity in all of our work supporting climate action at the local level.
Project - Implementation Roadmap(s) for Supporting Equitable Investments in Climate Mitigation
To aid ICLEI USA members in their efforts to implement equitable climate mitigation strategies, the Bekenstein intern at ICLEI USA will lead the development of an “Implementation Roadmap” (“Roadmap”) with supporting case study examples summarizing best practices for how local governments are implementing a specific mitigation strategy (clean energy, net-zero buildings and/or clean transportation options) using a people-centered and equitable approach.
ICLEI is currently developing quick start guides on how local governments can create a supportive policy environment and facilitate private investment in these topic areas. The graduate fellow will support development of a 10-15 page Implementation Roadmap that will complement and extend one of these guides by focusing in more detail on implementation steps for a particular subtopic or policy, with a focus on strategies for ensuring equity in terms of both process and distribution of benefits and burdens.
To complete this work, the fellow will compile a literature review, conduct interviews of local government staff who have implemented successful programs, and draft the Roadmap summary with case studies of effective local implementation. The Roadmap and case study examples will be used to populate ICLEI USA’s Knowledge Hub designed to help local governments advance their zero emission and equity goals and find best practice examples that they can replicate.
The Roadmap should summarize best practices for designing programs to support equitable investments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including: funding sources, equity criteria to determine program beneficiaries, engaging underserved communities in the design of programs, and other factors that maximize equity and mitigation goals. It should also draw from ICLEI USA’s quick start guides and previous Bekenstein fellow research to develop an implementation matrix of implementation best practices for supporting equitable GHG mitigation, which will be provided when the fellow onboards.
The Roadmaps should address the following research questions:
- What local financing/funding tools most effectively reach priority populations (e.g., rebates/grants, green banks, on-bill programs, community solar incentives, mobility subsidies)?
- What program design choices reduce common barriers (upfront cost, credit requirements, language access, renter access, administrative burden)?
- How do programs define equity goals, track benefits, and adapt based on results (metrics, reporting, community governance, feedback loops)?
- What metrics are localities using to show evidence of equity outcomes (participation rates, increased mobility access, energy burden reductions/savings, local jobs, benefits to priority geographies)?
To inform the Roadmap, the fellow should identify 2-3 case study examples where local governments have designed and implemented funding programs that have effectively supported mitigation investments in underserved communities in diverse localities (in terms of region, type of funding program or investment supports, type of priority population, and type of local government). Each case study should be 3-5 pages long and describe the program goals and objectives, investments supported, lead agency, funding sources, how communities were engaged in program design (if known), equity criteria used to determine allocations, program metrics demonstrating benefits to underserved communities and emissions reductions, and other relevant details for helping other jurisdictions learn from and replicable the model.
Qualifications
Required
Technical
- Experience and/or education in climate mitigation strategies, sustainability, and climate action planning.
- Experience and/or education with environmental justice and/or equity in climate and sustainability initiatives.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative skills.
Soft Skills
- Candidates must have strong interpersonal skills and be comfortable working collaboratively in a professional and virtual environment.
- Self-starter with strong time management, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred
Technical
- Familiar with the Council of Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative.
Soft Skills
- Collaborative – works well with others on a team and able to professionally engage with local government staff and other partners
- Knows when to ask for help.
- Creative problem solver.
Timeline
Week 1:
Onboarding
Weeks 1-2:
Reviewing background resources provided by ICLEI
Weeks 2-4:
Perform desktop research relevant to research questions
Weeks 3-4:
Hone and finalize research questions with project supervisor
Weeks 4-5:
Compile a literature review of plans, programs and policies. Prioritize case study examples with supervisor
Weeks 4-8:
Develop interview questions and interview ICLEI members
Week 6-7:
Develop and finalize a narrative outline for work product and case studies
Week 7-9:
Complete draft work product
Week 10:
ICLEI USA staff review and feedback provided to the student by ICLEI USA staff
Week 11:
Finalize deliverables
Week 12:
Present findings and resources to the ICLEI USA team
Background
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is a global network working with more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for zero-emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.
As the USA Office of a global ICLEI network, ICLEI USA develops and delivers leading-edge tools and resources. Our standards, tools, and programs credibly, transparently, and robustly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve lives and livelihoods, and protect natural resources in the U.S. communities we serve. ICLEI USA and our network partners are working to keep 1.5 ℃ alive through a data-driven approach focusing on just and equitable communities.
