New UCLA Program on Local Government Climate Action Policies (LoGCAP)
posted: Oct 16, 2009

Supported by the Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies and the Luskin Center for Innovation, the UCLA Program on Local Government Climate Action Policies was created in July to strengthen local governments’ capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change policies. California legislation such as SB 375 focuses on local government authority to address the causes of climate change. Local governments have the ability to mandate energy efficient buildings, control land uses, and directing regional transportation planning. However, most research has focused on policies targeting higher levels of government. Additionally, planners and policymakers lack of a commonly accepted greenhouse gas measurement framework to assign responsibility for emissions among local governments. Even if such a framework existed, local governments seeking to reduce emissions may lack the knowledge and ability to identify successful emissions reduction opportunities. LoGCAP will address these challenges by supporting and applying academic research to:

-Develop benchmarks for community greenhouse gas emissions measurement and accountability to help local jurisdictions plan, implement, and measure improvements

-Work with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and other organizations to develop practical greenhouse gas measurement guidelines and standards for communities

-Identify the effectiveness and costs of various local climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, evaluate the financing options for such mitigating and adaptive policies, and assess the equity of the distribution of such costs.

For more information: www.lewis.ucla.edu/climate

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