Local Government Toolkits
The California Sustainability Alliance has developed several toolkits and other resources that aid local governments in planning and implementing sustainable initiatives. These tools help local governments advance sustainability within their jurisdictions, which provides them with the opportunity to lead by example, positively influence their communities, and leverage local authority. These toolkits include:
Local Government Green Procurement Toolkit
The Toolkit and Guide assist local governments in adopting environmentally friendly procurement plans. The toolkit incorporates case studies of eight leading local governments in California and Washington and outlines steps for greening procurement policies. In addition, it includes draft policy language, sample green bid specifications, best practices from local, state and federal governments across the country, information on eco‐labeling and links to public and private eco‐labeling programs.
Local Government Operations Protocol Toolkit (LGOP)
The LGOP helps cities and counties measure their carbon footprint by developing a greenhouse gas inventory. It has been adopted by the California Air Resources Board and is supported by the California Climate Action Registry and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. The LGOP Toolkit is designed for use by local government staff who are interested in or are currently developing a greenhouse gas assessment for their operations. The toolkit is a step-by-step version of the full LGOP released by the California Air Resource Board in September 2008.
The Green General Plan Toolkit provides guidelines and sample measures to local government staff interested in developing a sustainable general plan for their communities. It addresses the policy drivers motivating local governments to integrate sustainability into the planning process, and discusses approaches a municipality can take to develop effective and holistic policies. This toolkit also recommends a decision-making framework and illustrative measures that planners can adapt to their own general plans, and includes references to existing green general plans in California.
Local Government Resources Toolkit
The Local Government Resources Toolkit helps cities and counties identify and locate tools and funding sources to help their communities set and meet sustainability goals. These resources consist of informational reports, calculators, and funding opportunities available from state and federal departments. The tools cover topics such as community development, transportation, greenhouse gasses, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water efficiency and sustainability.
California Local Energy Efficiency Program (CALeep)
The California Local Energy Efficiency Program (CALeep) is designed to help local governments plan and implement highly effective energy efficiency initiatives within their communities. In order to create this energy efficiency decision-making tool, key representatives from utilities, private sector energy groups, energy service companies, and various levels of government contributed to the development of “best practices” for use by all local governments. These practices stimulate energy-efficiency activities within local government jurisdictions and support greenhouse gas reduction, job creation, water conservation, and green building.
