- Improving local government operations. A city or county can take concrete actions to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with public infrastructure systems. Examples include:
- Adopt replacement program for infrastructure components so that they improve energy efficiency.
- Encourage purchase of green or renewable energy certificates for the energy used in public infrastructure operations.
- Participate in developing a district energy system.
- Create a local or regional green-power purchasing program.
- Fostering change in the private sector. Infrastructure is a public expense, but it is the private sector that often designs, builds, maintains, and sometimes operates the systems. Some cities and counties have found effective ways to work with private sector partners in developing more sustainable infrastructure.
Initiatives and programs for developing an effective municipal climate change action plan:
Regulatory
- Design specifications that include materials with low energy intensity.
- Encourage flexibility in engineering design standards that can encourage energy conservation.
- Change zoning and development guidelines to encourage energy conservation.
- Create template documents that incorporate green concepts into contracts, requests for qualifications, proposals, expressions of Interest, purchasing agreements, etc.
Financial
- Set up low-interest loans and rebate programs to encourage renewable energy projects.
- Establish utility rebate programs to encourage energy or water efficiency.
- Establish tax credits to encourage Smart Growth principles in infrastructure design.
Education and Capacity Building
- Assemble a “tool kit” for green developers.
- Develop sample development proformas that account for the triple bottom line.
- Create concept plans that show the possibilities for greening development – and the associated greenhouse gas and cost savings
Policy Levers gives more information about how to promote change.
Other key factors include asset management and an exciting new methodology called Triple Bottom Line analysis, which takes full life cycle costs and benefits into account. These and other related details are discussed in Implementation and financial solutions.
