On October 24th, 2023, Centralina held a Centralina Learns session focused on the topic of Climate and Sustainability Planning. Every day, communities are addressing local concerns related to this topic, from localized flooding, to loss of tree canopy, decisions on fleet vehicle efficiencies and more. During this session, local government staff learned about strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting built environments to be more resilient and saw examples of what climate planning looks like in our region. Centralina staff introduced the American Planning Association’s 7 Principles of Climate Planning as a resource in helping communities improve systems for growth and community engagement to better respond to a variety of impacts.
Guest speaker Erin Stanforth, Sustainability and Resiliency Manager of Mecklenburg County, spoke about how Mecklenburg County is working to create ground-breaking change and setting the standard for Climate & Sustainability Planning throughout the region. Stanforth highlighted Mecklenburg County’s Environmental Leadership Policy Action Plan, and how it guided County activities towards climate planning and action. Stanforth showcased the plan’s impacts at every level of governance, including electrification of the Mecklenburg County fleet, reductions in water and energy usage through upgrades in fixtures, replacing aging diesel engine vehicles and the Flood Mitigation and Land Acquisition program. The Flood program purchases flood-prone land and converts it into a nature preserve, greenways or parks, effectively turning what would have been a financial disaster for a home-owner into a public good for everyone to enjoy.
Michelle Nance, Centralina’s Deputy Executive Director, and Jason Wager, Centralina Regional Planning Director, highlighted the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, including the anticipated timelines, deliverables and engagement that will occur as part of plan development and the funding available through implementation grants.
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, growing the economy and creating substantial co-benefits, such as health, air quality, mobility and more in our communities. Concepts for a regional coalition implementation grant will be accepted and discussed over the next months, considering the detailed evaluation criteria in place for the Federal grant program. With transportation being the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, much focus will be given to consensus projects that can make a large impact on the local and regional scales. Topics such as transit, sidewalks, trails, electric vehicle infrastructure and fleet upgrades will be part of the discussion.
The Primary Climate Action Plan will be completed by the established March 24, 2024 deadline, along with the Implementation Grant by the April 1, 2024 deadline. Those interested in learning more and getting involved in this program can view this flyer and fill out this form to submit project ideas and be included in future communications surrounding the program.
If you are interested in participating in future Centralina Learns sessions, check out our website events page.
