How local government has been leading the way in America’s fight against climate change
By: Kethan Rao
Tags: Finding Legitimacy, Local Government, Sustainability, Climate Action, Policy

While the US has fallen behind the rest of the world in the fight against climate change over the last few years as our commitment to the Paris Agreement wavered, state and city government have stepped up to lead the fight against climate change. In recent months, three prominent efforts have been made at the state and local level that are worth commending.

1. California to phase out traditional gas vehicles by 2035

Once again, California is showing the way, passing policy to phase out traditional gas vehicles by 2035. The first state to do this, the move is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the state. According to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Air Resource Board, transportation makes up 28% of carbon emissions nationally, and 41% in California, the largest source of emission at both levels.

This new strong policy will ensure that the California Air Resource Board will create regulations to ensure every new passenger car and truck sold in the state is electric or otherwise “zero-emissions” by 2035. Heavy industries have until 2045 to shift medium and heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emissions. The move was made not only to reduce emissions from gas powered vehicles but to spur private innovation for electric vehicles and spurring green job creation with large companies like Tesla and General Motors, two of the top selling electric vehicle companies, and smaller start-ups like Rivian. The move also establishes confidence for companies that are considering entering the space. This policy is an excellent example of how a forward-thinking policy can allow both citizens and private companies to plan for change.

Transportation is the leading cause of emissions in California

2. New York City mandates buildings to post energy efficiency ratings

New York City recently mandated that commercial buildings must post their energy efficiency rating to create transparency under the NYC Energy Conversation Code. Large buildings are the city’s greatest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to 71% of total emissions according to Once City Built to Last, especially due to aging buildings stock that are less energy efficient.

Buildings are the leading cause of emissions in New York City

The city has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and increasing building efficiency is huge piece to achieve that goal. The Climate Mobilization Act that passed last spring set an ambitious goal of requiring all buildings over 25,000 square feet to cut climate emissions by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. As commercial tenants increasingly are concerned about their environmental footprint, creating transparency around building efficiency will incentivize commercial property owners and developers to improve building efficiency. As seen in California, the move will spur significant innovation in thermal materials, and building efficiency technology such as Mesa, a technology by Sidewalk Labs, to help commercial building energy costs. New York demonstrates how policies that lead to transparency and accountability can achieve their desired outcomes.

3. Minnesota commits to 100% renewable energy for municipal operations

Minnesota, seeking to become a climate leader, committed to 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2022. In response, the non-profit utility, Great River, recently made efforts to shift towards more renewable energy by upgrading its battery storage, through Form Energy, an innovative start-up working to improve renewable energy storage. Great River will use this new technology to shift Minnesota to a cleaner electrical grid. Electricity generation make up 26% of the greenhouse emissions in Minnesota and improving storage is a tremendous opportunity to reduce emissions. By identifying new innovative ways to improve grid efficiency, Minnesota has taken a great step forward to reduce its emissions.