About ClimateSmart(tm)
ClimateSmart is a joint campaign across Boulder County designed to:
- Support the achievement of Boulder and Boulder County's greenhouse gas reduction goals
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Realize the city of Boulder's 2012 Kyoto Protocol goal mandated by voters in November 2006
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Connect local residents and businesses to cost-effective programs intended to save money and reduce energy demand
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Build local community and an ongoing commitment to a model of regional sustainability
ClimateSmart programs are intended to overcome local barriers to energy efficiency investment by providing education, financial incentives, and services that do not already exist in the market. ClimateSmart programs are intended to achieve success across the county through collaboration with local municipalities. Five staff members in the city of Boulder's Office of Environmental Affairs are dedicated to city programs while Boulder County's Sustainability Office employs two staff whose efforts span the entire county.
Background
City of Boulder:
In 2002 City Council signed the Kyoto Resolution and in 2006 adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) created by city staff. Funding for the CAP's implementation was made possible by the passage of a carbon tax by Boulder voters in November 2006. The tax is collected monthly from residents and businesses and is based on electricity (kWh) usage. The carbon tax garnered global recognition for Boulder as the first city to tax itself to directly address climate change. All CAP programs fall under the umbrella ClimateSmart name.
Boulder County established environmental sustainability goals in 2005 which include energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets which are funded through a dedicated tax.
Reporting and documentation:
The ClimateSmart team consults regularly with an Advisory Group and provides regular progress details and annual greenhouse gas inventory data for both the city and the County to City Council, County Comissioners, and the public. The 2007 Climate Action Plan Progress Report describes the first year of programs; all ClimateSmart programs are reviewed annually and are adjusted as necessary to ensure maximum efficacy. Click here for the 2009 Community Guide to Boulder's Climate Action Plan (CAP). (note: the Guide will be updated in Fall 2009 to reflect revisions to the CAP strategy detailed in a 6/4/2009 City Council memo).
