Across the country, cities and companies are embracing Science Based Targets. Yet, as the 2030 deadline of the Paris Agreement looms, merely setting goals isn’t sufficient. To effectively combat climate change, urgent and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are imperative.

We’re already seeing the effects of climate change – from more extreme and frequent weather events to sea level rise and biodiversity loss. Immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigate these effects and prevent the worst climate change impacts. To meaningfully implement your plan, it’s critical to shift from a planning mindset to focusing on program delivery.  In this quarter’s newsletter, we offer these five practical tips to drive meaningful emissions reductions through sustainable program delivery.

  1. Manage staffing, volunteers and human resources: A plan is nothing if it’s not supported with adequate staff to support implementing it. Develop a work plan that has clear steps, procedures, and resources. Sustainable Westminster is a great example of sustained progress since work began on their first sustainability plan in 2018.
  2. Follow and stack funding opportunities: In the U.S., we’re experiencing unprecedented funding support for emissions reduction projects. From federal funding to state, local and utility incentives, now’s the time to get your projects funded. Explore our article Funding Support for Electrification for tips on how to maximize IRA funding. We also encourage you to explore the Better Buildings Funding and Incentives Resource Hub or Rewiring America’s Incentive Calculator.
  3. Develop and execute an internal and external communications strategy: Developing a robust communication strategy is essential to raise awareness about your initiatives, engage diverse stakeholders, and build support for emissions reduction efforts. Focus your messaging on three key areas: clearly articulate what you’re trying to achieve, why it matters to your community or organization, and how stakeholders can actively participate. For example, Jefferson County, CO, effectively communicates its Climate Action Plan through their Climate Action Plan and Dashboard webpage (us/4410/Climate-Action-Plan-and-Dashboard), showcasing progress and fostering transparency.
  4. Monitor, evaluate, and adapt: Best practices and resources for emissions reductions are constantly evolving. Continuously monitor the implementation of your emissions reduction initiatives and track progress against established indicators. Regularly evaluate outcomes to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Utilize data-driven insights to adapt strategies and refine programs as needed, ensuring that your efforts are responsive and effective in achieving sustainable emissions reductions. For a great example of this, check out the City of Bozeman, MT’s Climate Plan Dashboard.
  5. Identify partners for a force multiplier: Engage a diverse array of stakeholders, including community members, local and federal government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and other relevant organizations. Foster collaborative partnerships that extend beyond financial contributions to include shared expertise, resources, and outreach capabilities. By leveraging collective strengths and fostering collaborative efforts, you’ll accelerate progress towards your emissions reduction goals and build more resilience within your program. For example, the Front Range Beneficial Electrification Network was formed in August 2022 to accelerate the adoption of beneficial electrification technologies in Colorado through regional collaboration and a focus on equity.

By adopting a program-focused approach to emissions reduction goals, you’ll ensure sustainable implementation with ongoing funding, stakeholder support, and integration. Let’s take decisive action together to achieve meaningful progress towards a sustainable future.

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About the Author – Katie is a gifted marketing strategist with twelve years of experience in marketing communication, brand building, behavior change, consumer insights, service transformation, and marketing analytics. Her expertise runs the gamut of marketing programs, from developing and executing marketing strategies for nationwide media campaigns to organizing grassroots communication efforts. She’s skilled at understanding each client’s unique needs and customizing a marketing approach to achieve critical program outcomes.

Katie specializes in marketing for sustainability impact and has extensive experience working with clients to achieve their sustainability goals in alignment with larger operations needs. She also has traditional marketing expertise including managing marketing budgets, facilitating radio and video commercial recordings; developing periodical newsletters; and coordinating with public relations staff for deliberate and targeted media impact. She’s well versed in content management systems, search engine optimization (SEO), customer relationship management (CRM), copywriting and storytelling, social media engagement, and marketing automation.