What Is a Climate Change Action Plan?
A local climate change action plan lays out specific policy proposals or planning processes, including institutional and policy structures, that a local government will use to develop and implement a climate change mitigation strategy. A climate action plan typically addresses the following:
- Regional and local risks and vulnerabilities
- Baseline emissions
- Goals and targets
- Identification and screening of mitigation options
- Estimated results of mitigation actions
- Recommendations and strategy for implementation
Why Create an Action Plan?
Although climate change is a global issue, many critical actions to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be initiated locally. Local governments can alter GHG emission patterns significantly through their influence and authority over several climate related topics such as municipal utilities, land use and urban forestry, building codes, waste management, transportation, financing, environmental programs, and other relevant policy areas. Additionally, local government actions directly impact and benefit the lives of citizens.
In addition, many climate change mitigation measures generate broader non-climate related benefits. For example, energy efficiency programs lower costs while reducing GHG emissions. Increasing carpools and public transportation reduces pollution and traffic congestion in addition to reducing GHG emissions. Reforestation and urban tree programs not only sequester carbon, but also can reduce the amount of energy used for cooling and provide aesthetic improvement.
Developing a Climate Change Action Plan
Collaborate with Stakeholders
Collaboration across local agencies, as well as with the public, businesses, and industry, ensures that the strategy reflects a cross-section of perspectives that support it. EPA provides information to assist local groups in translating inventory results into actions.
Understand the Scope of GHG Emissions and Identify Opportunities for Reductions
Understanding the scope of GHG emissions is key to identifying trends, sources of increase, and sectors to target. EPA provides methods and tools to assist local groups in developing a GHG inventory.
Understand Vulnerabilities to Climate Change
Local governments can consider impacts and adaptation in existing planning and approval processes, especially large infrastructural projects that would be costly to adapt later. For information about potential impacts of climate change, visit the U.S. Global Change Research Program website.
Quantitative goals provide structure and facilitate the evaluation of progress. Goals should include a specific timeframe and can be stated in terms of emissions reductions, energy savings, or cost savings. Goals can be sector-specific or more general.
Establish Criteria for Evaluating Mitigation Options
Examples of evaluation criteria include the following:
- Timeframe of focus
- Effectiveness in reducing GHGs
- Private sector costs and savings
- Public sector costs
- Economic gains
- Social equity
- Existing institutional capacity or programs
- Political feasibility
- Existing legal constraints
Local governments can consider options that affect the entire community or key sectors, depending on the GHG inventory, goals, and priorities. EPA provides methods and tools to assist local governments in identifying policy options.
Evaluate and Select Options
In evaluating policy options, local governments should determine each option's quantitative impact on GHGs, the economy, energy supply, air pollution, etc., based on local goals and priorities. This allows governments to rank policy options and facilitates comparison.
Establish an Administrative Process for Implementation, Evaluation, and Measurement
Local governments should identify mechanisms—including funding mechanisms—and actors for implementing individual options within strategy, and establish progress reporting mechanisms and time frames.
How to Implement an Action Plan
Design and Implement Policies
After determining the actions, local governments begin to design specific policies and to establish implementation pathways. EPA provides guidance for local governments on designing and implementing programs.
Measure and Evaluate
It is important for local governments to evaluate progress toward their goals in order to adjust their strategy and action plan accordingly. EPA provides methods and tools to assist local governments in determining the results of their climate and energy programs and policies.
Citizens and stakeholders have important roles in helping to mitigate GHGs. Communicating the benefits of programs to mitigate climate change can help gain continued support for policies and programs affecting the community. EPA provides information for local governments on engaging stakeholders.
Developing an Action Plan, from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's website.
Mpango wa Hatua za Mabadiliko ya Hali ya Hewa Ni Nini? Mpango wa hatua za mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa ya ndani unaweka mapendekezo maalum ya sera au michakato ya mipango, ikiwa ni pamoja na miundo ya taasisi na sera, ambayo serikali ya ndani itatumia kuendeleza na kutekeleza mkakati wa kupunguza mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa. Mpango wa hatua za hali ya hewa kwa kawaida hushughulikia yafuatayo: Hatari za kikanda na za mitaa na udhaifu - Uzalishaji wa msingi - Malengo na malengo - Kutambuliwa na kuchunguzwa kwa chaguzi za kupunguza - Matokeo ya makadirio ya hatua za kupunguza - Mapendekezo na mkakati wa utekelezaji Kwa nini kuunda Mpango wa Hatua? Ingawa mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa ni suala la kimataifa, hatua nyingi muhimu za kukabiliana na uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu (GHG) zinaweza kuanzishwa ndani ya nchi. Serikali za mitaa zinaweza kubadilisha muundo wa uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu kwa kiasi kikubwa kupitia ushawishi wao na mamlaka juu ya mada kadhaa zinazohusiana na hali ya hewa kama vile huduma za manispaa, matumizi ya ardhi na misitu ya mijini, kanuni za ujenzi, usimamizi wa taka, usafirishaji, fedha, programu za mazingira, na maeneo mengine muhimu ya sera. Kwa kuongezea, vitendo vya serikali za mitaa vinaathiri moja kwa moja na kufaidi maisha ya raia. Kwa kuongezea, hatua nyingi za kupunguza mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa hutokeza faida pana zisizohusiana na hali ya hewa. Kwa mfano, programu za ufanisi wa nishati hupunguza gharama huku zikipunguza uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu. Kuongeza carpools na usafiri wa umma hupunguza uchafuzi wa hewa na msongamano wa trafiki pamoja na kupunguza uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu. Programu za ukataji miti na miti ya mijini sio tu huhifadhi kaboni, lakini pia zinaweza kupunguza kiasi cha nishati inayotumiwa kwa baridi na kutoa uboreshaji wa urembo. Kuendeleza Mpango wa Hatua ya Mabadiliko ya Hali ya Hewa: Ushirikiano na Washiriki Ushirikiano kati ya mashirika ya ndani, pamoja na umma, biashara na viwanda, inahakikisha kuwa mkakati unaonyesha sehemu ya msalaba ya mitazamo inayounga mkono. EPA hutoa habari kusaidia makundi ya mitaa katika kutafsiri matokeo ya orodha katika vitendo. Kuelewa upeo wa uzalishaji wa gesi chafu na kutambua fursa za kupunguza Kuelewa upeo wa uzalishaji wa gesi chafu ni muhimu kwa kutambua mwenendo, vyanzo vya ongezeko, na sekta za kulenga. EPA inatoa mbinu na zana kusaidia makundi ya ndani katika kuendeleza orodha ya GHG. Kuelewa Uharibifu wa Mabadiliko ya Hali ya Hewa Serikali za Mitaa zinaweza kuzingatia athari na marekebisho katika michakato ya sasa ya mipango na idhini, haswa miradi mikubwa ya miundombinu ambayo ingekuwa ghali kurekebisha baadaye. Kwa habari zaidi kuhusu athari za mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, tembelea tovuti ya U.S. Climate Change. Tovuti ya Programu ya Utafiti wa Mabadiliko ya Ulimwenguni. Malengo ya kiasi hutoa muundo na kuwezesha tathmini ya maendeleo. Malengo yanapaswa kujumuisha muda maalum na yanaweza kuelezwa katika suala la kupunguza uzalishaji, akiba ya nishati, au akiba ya gharama. Malengo yanaweza kuwa ya sekta maalum au ya jumla zaidi. Mifano ya vigezo vya tathmini ni pamoja na: - Muda wa kuzingatia - Ufanisi katika kupunguza GHG - Gharama za sekta binafsi na akiba - Gharama za sekta ya umma - Faida za kiuchumi - Usawa wa kijamii - Uwezo wa taasisi au programu zilizopo - Uwezo wa kisiasa - Vizuizi vya kisheria vilivyopo - Serikali za mitaa zinaweza kuzingatia chaguzi ambazo zinaathiri jamii nzima au sekta muhimu, kulingana na hesabu ya GHG, malengo, na vipaumbele. EPA hutoa mbinu na zana kusaidia serikali za mitaa katika kutambua chaguzi za sera. Kuamua na kuchagua chaguzi: Katika kutathmini chaguzi za sera, serikali za mitaa zinapaswa kuamua athari za kiasi cha kila chaguo kwa Gesi za Chumba, uchumi, usambazaji wa nishati, uchafuzi wa hewa, nk, kulingana na malengo na vipaumbele vya mitaa. Hii inaruhusu serikali kuweka nafasi chaguzi za sera na kuwezesha kulinganisha. Kuanzisha Mchakato wa Utawala kwa ajili ya Utekelezaji, Tathmini, na Upimaji Serikali za Mitaa zinapaswa kutambua mifumo - ikiwa ni pamoja na mifumo ya ufadhili - na watendaji kwa ajili ya utekelezaji wa chaguzi za mtu binafsi ndani ya mkakati, na kuanzisha mifumo ya kuripoti maendeleo na mipaka ya muda. Kuanzisha na kuendeleza mpango wa vitendo: Baada ya kuamua vitendo, serikali za mitaa huanza kubuni sera maalum na kuanzisha njia za utekelezaji. EPA inatoa mwongozo kwa serikali za mitaa juu ya kubuni na kutekeleza programu. Kupima na kutathmini: Serikali za mitaa zinapaswa kuchunguza maendeleo ya kufikia malengo yao ili kurekebisha mkakati wao na mpango wa hatua. EPA hutoa mbinu na zana kusaidia serikali za mitaa katika kuamua matokeo ya mipango yao ya hali ya hewa na nishati na sera. Wananchi na wadau wana majukumu muhimu katika kusaidia kupunguza GHG. Kuwasiliana na faida za mipango ya kupunguza mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa inaweza kusaidia kupata msaada wa kuendelea kwa sera na programu zinazoathiri jamii. EPA inatoa taarifa kwa serikali za mitaa juu ya kujihusisha na wadau. Kuendeleza Mpango wa Hatua, kutoka tovuti ya Shirika la Ulinzi wa Mazingira la Marekani.