Gateway Cities Climate Action Planning (CAP)

The CAP Framework helps under-resourced cities develop plans that connect the dots between climate protection and local benefits to public health and the environment, economic development, and community resilience. With the framework in place, more member cities are now actively taking tangible steps to develop a local CAP. At the same time, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and member cities are experiencing increased success securing climate-related grant funding.

ESA led the consulting team that developed a regional CAP Framework so that member cities can efficiently prepare local Climate Action Plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing their communities for climate change hazards. It’s designed to help individual communities advance their goals for economic development, public health, air quality, climate resiliency, equity, and job creation while reducing emissions and planning for the impacts of climate change.

The work involved preparing updated GHG inventories for each city, as well as developing a suite of tools and templates for setting GHG targets, selecting and prioritizing GHG reduction and adaptation measures, assembling a CAP document, and tracking implementation.