The California Climate Action Network (CCAN), a program of the Institute for Local Government, has developed a best practices framework to support local government's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CCAN's best practices identify 10 climate leadership opportunity areas and offers suggestions for local actions within each area, both in agency operations and community at large.

1. Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Example: Replace incandescent traffic and crosswalk lights with energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs).1

2. Water and Wastewater System
Example: Use recycled water for agency facilities and operations, including parks and medians, where appropriate.2

3. Green Building
Example: Require that all new agency buildings and facilities meet at least LEED silver certification standards.3

4. Waste Reduction & Recycling
Example: Require all agency demolition projects to incorporate de-construction and construction and demolition waste recycling or recovery practices.4

5. Climate-Friendly Purchasing
Example: Require all service providers to follow climate-friendly practices or provide a preference in selecting and contracting with service providers to those that follow climate-friendly practices.5

6. Renewable Energy & Low-Carbon Fuels
Example: Convert vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the agency to run on alternative fuels or other non-fossil fuel based technology that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.6

7. Efficient Transportation
Example: Develop infrastructure improvements such as HOV/HOT lanes and dedicated bus rapid transit right-of-ways.7

8. Land Use & Community Design
Example: Install traffic calming devices and other measure to reduce traffic speeds and volumes and increase the safety and feasibility of bicycling and walking.8

9. Storing & Offsetting Carbon Emissions
Example: Steer new development away from open space and agricultural lands that provide natural carbon storage.9

10. Promoting Community & Individual Action
Example: Provide programs and/or incentives to individuals, groups, and businesses that adopt practices that reduce their carbon footprint.10

For a full list of best practices, download the California Climate Action Network Best Practices Framework at www.ca-ilg.org/climatechange or view the State's Local Government toolkit at www.coolcalifornia.org.

1 California Climate Action Network Best Practices Framework Version 5.0: www.cacities.org/resource_files/26286.BestPracticesFramework%20v5.0.pdf, pg 2 (last accessed April 22, 2009)
2 Ibid., pg 4
3 Ibid., pg 5
4 Ibid., pg 6
5 Ibid., pg 9
6 Ibid., pg 10
7 Ibid., pg 11
8 Ibid., pg 13
9 Ibid., pg 15
10 Ibid., pg 16

Climate action is defined as any measure undertaken by a local government in order to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions attributed to energy, waste, and transportation. Cost savings are a co-benefit associated with climate action activities.