There are now 105 certified Climate Smart Communities in New York State, nine silver and 96 bronze. This significant milestone of the Climate Smart Communities program demonstrates the commitment of New York's local governments to enhancing the resilience of their communities and reducing risk and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
The actions completed by certified Climate Smart Communities provide local benefits for the community and help New York State meet its directives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Certified Climate Smart Communities are also more successful at receiving grant funding awards and other financial support opportunities.
Many certified Climate Smart Communities have completed actions to reduce emissions such as greenhouse gas inventories, municipal building energy benchmarking, LED streetlighting upgrades, installing electric vehicle charging stations for public use, and making investments in improving walking and biking infrastructure.
In addition, many certified communities, aware of the real and present threat of climate change, have taken steps to adapt and improve resilience to worsening impacts by completing climate vulnerability assessments and hazard mitigation plans, and evaluating local policies for climate resilience.
See a full list of actions completed by all certified Climate Smart Communities at https://bit.ly/3Ccdbr8.
To learn about the benefits of becoming a certified Climate Smart Community, visit the Climate Smart Communities website at https://bit.ly/3DQserH.
Climate Smart Communities Coordinators provide direct technical assistance and support to local governments in completing climate mitigation and adaptation actions in the pursuit of certification.
Categories: New York, Rural Lifestyle