Climate Planning Tools

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With escalating impacts and awareness of global climate change, we are fortunately also seeing an increase in a number of different ways that various organizations, governments, businesses and even residents are addressing climate change. In order to help speed this movement along, various organizations have developed various tools that address different aspects of climate planning.These tools vary from fairly simple online calculators to complex downloadable softwares and protocols. Some of these tools are described below.

General Plan Climate Tools

California’s 2003 the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) General Plan Guidelines:

OPR’s guideline is an important manual for local governments on the policy development and planning processes in the State of California.

ABAG Housing Element Tookit

The Association of Bay Area Governments has developed a comprehensive housing element toolkit. Of particular relevance to climate change, the toolkit offers strategies and resources for jurisdictions looking to tackle green building, transportation oriented development, mixed use development, infill development among other approaches.

International Energy Agency (IEA):

IEA’s Climate Policies and Measures Database offers information on energy-related policies and measures taken or planned to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Center for Energy & Environment Security (CEES):

CEES’ Climate Action Database contains policy proposals directed at addressing climate change. Policies include proposed federal legislation, non-legislative proposals for climate stabilization, impact analysis, and federal policies that are applicable specifically to the State of California.

MIscellaneous Tools

A number of organizations have begun to promulgate specific guidelines for climate planning relevant to local governments.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory/Reduction Tools

Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Tools comparison

As part of a technical advisory on CEQA and Climate Change, (also discussed in this toolkit here) OPR prepared a comparison table of "Technical Resources/Modeling Tools to Estimate GHG Emissions" This table provides a quick means to compare different approaches to modeling and their respective data needs and outputs. Each tool is described in more detail in the technical advisory document.

CCAR has developed a number of comprehensive protocols to assist its members in the process of calculating, reporting and verifying a GHG emissions inventory. In addition to its main General Reporting & Verification Protocol, they have also developed industry-specific protocols that can be utilized by various industry sectors such as cement, power/utility, and forest sectors. The CCAR has also developed the Climate Action Registry Reporting Online Tool (CARROT), which is an online software for emissions calculation and reporting.

Clean Air-Cool Planet's on-line Campus Climate Action Toolkit (CCAT):

CCAT is a stand-alone greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory calculator that is specifically designed for university campuses.

CoolCalifornia.org:

California Carbon Calculator is a statewide carbon footprint calculator for California households, individuals and communities, including links to useful solutions for improving energy efficiency, and for reduction the overall carbon footprint.

ENERGY STAR:

ENERGY STAR has available a suite of calculators that quantifies the energy savings and GHG emissions reductions when switching/using ENERGY STAR labeled products such as commercial clothes washers, dishwashers, vending machines, and office products such as computers, scanners, and water coolers.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative (GGPI):

GGPI has developed a GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, which is a GHG emissions inventory protocol for companies and other organizations. GGPI has also available a number of calculation tools that are complementary to the Corporate Standard, to help users calculate GHG emissions from specific sources or industries.

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability:

ICLEI has available to its members various quantitative tools for conducting local governments' GHG emissions inventories and for helping to quantifying potential emissions reduction measures. Two specific tools are:

1. The Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) is a downloadable software that is primarily used for conducting GHG emissions inventory of local governments.
2. The Climate and Air Pollution Planning Assistant (CAPPA) is a comprehensive spreadsheet calculator tool primarily used for identifying and quantifying over 100 distinct emissions reduction strategies.

International Standards Organization (ISO):

ISO has also developed a GHG emissions standard that specifies principles and requirements at the organization level for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions and reductions.

Low Impact Living, Inc.:

Low Impact Living's Impact Calculator shows the carbon, energy, water, wastewater, trash and stormwater runoff footprints of homes and lifestyle.