California's Government Partnerships are Driving the Green Economy

Partnerships between regional and state authorities are a big part of California's green leadership. According to Greenopia, California is the fifth greenest state in the US. Berkeley and Oakland are but two examples of green cities in the state of California. According to a report titled, 2010 Smarter City for Energy, Long Beach, San Francisco, Huntington Beach, Santa Clarita and Santa Cruz are also among the leading eco-municipalities.

The Bay Area is home to a range of local and regional coalitions and partnerships many of which target environmental issues. The Bay Area is an extensive region of Northern California that encompasses the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, San Jose and other cities and towns.

Municipal authorities have developed innovative programs including an energy efficiency pilot program in affordable multi-family housing in Oakland, San Francisco and Berkeley. Dozens of local governments are providing residential outreach and guidance for the Energy Upgrade Alameda Program.

California's cities benefit from the state's progressive environmental policies including a renewable portfolio standard that pressures investor-owned utilities to use renewable sources of energy. The California Climate Plan is the state’s roadmap for emissions reductions and development of the green economy. Funding including California’s State Energy Program supports energy-saving initiatives in cities throughout the state. California is also phasing out materials deemed hazardous to the environment including global warming causing auto air conditioning refrigerants.

A 2008 New York Times article reported that "Green policies have created 1.5 million jobs over 30 years in California, while eliminating only 25,000."

In California, government intiatives are working with private enterprise in ways that are of benefit to people, profits and the planet.
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Oakland's Green Jobs and Energy Initiatives

Oakland, California is seeking comprehensive solutions to environmental problems. The city's approach simultaneously addresses environmental concerns and social issues like poverty. In July, Oakland was named a 2010 Smarter City for Energy.

Oakland is developing local green businesses and training residents for the new green workforce. Local groups and educational establishments have teamed up to train and place low-income residents in jobs like solar installation, energy-efficiency retrofits and green building.

Oakland is behind some innovative energy initiatives. The city is launching an energy efficiency program in the commercial downtown area and encouraging investment. The program provides technical assistance and incentives to increase the energy efficiency of older buildings.

Oakland's green jobs and energy initiatives are a model for cities around the world.
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Berkeley's Climate Action Plan

Berkeley, California has a long history of green innovation including curbside recycling, greener vehicle fleets, and a polystyrene foam ban. In July, Berkeley was named a 2010 Smarter City for Energy.

Berkeley documented a 14 percent decrease in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2005 from 2002 levels which is more than double the reductions called for in the Kyoto Protocol.

The reduction was the equivalent of planting 52,000 trees or removing 450 cars from the road. Measure G, a city effort for citizens to help reduce the city's GHG emissions by 80 percent by 2050, was approved by 81 percent of voters in November 2006.

Attracting green business is a central part of Berkeley's strategic thinking. Mayor Tom Bates is working with the University of California, Berkeley, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories and neighboring mayors, and he was a founding member of the East Bay Green Corridor Partnership. Mayor Bates also created Sustainable Berkeley with over 100 representatives from business, community, city and university arenas.

A photovoltaic financing program known as Berkeley FIRST, is a pilot project created by Mayor Bates that allows residents to pay for solar installations as a voluntary long-term assessment on their property tax bill.
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