Goal:
This goal is designed to stimulate new approaches and support existing efforts to help Marin residents and businesses reduce the environmental effects of climate change
Reducing the Impact of Climate Change
Leading scientists and world leaders agree that climate change is a reality and that the increasing atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) resulting from human activities is changing the climate in ways that pose serious risks to the health, economy, and environment around the world.
In California and Marin County, the potential consequences could include impacts on the climate and weather (and the availability of water for residential, commercial, and agricultural uses), sea levels (the anticipated one- to three-foot rise in San Francisco Bay waters could place shoreline communities at risk of significant flooding), public health, electricity demands, infrastructure and overall economy.
In Marin County, per capita CO2e emissions are higher than both the state and regional averages. Vehicular travel (and traffic congestion) and consumption of energy and water continue to increase in Marin County, thereby accounting for more than 90% of the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Marin County is well positioned at the local level to reduce its contribution to climate change and can create models that, if successful, can be replicated across the region, state, and nation. By taking actions to reduce carbon emissions, Marin residents and businesses can improve their overall quality of life, air quality, and health. In addition, taking action can reduce the cost to operate their homes and buildings and significantly improve indoor air quality, while creating employment opportunities, increasing local revenue and household incomes, and stimulating economic growth. By taking action, Marin County can make significant progress in meeting both the County's goal and the State's mandates under AB32 to address climate change and its effects.
The Marin Community Foundation believes that the most significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) in Marin can be achieved by enhancing carbon sequestration practices; adopting clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies; and reducing the demand for fossil fuel-based transportation, electricity, and water use. These recommended strategies should also leverage private and public funding in the near term with MCF's seed investment. Given the dynamic nature of the field of climate change, MCF's investment will focus initially on proven, short-term CO2e reduction strategies in the areas of soil carbon sequestration, sustainable energy and water use, and transportation. To create a balanced portfolio of strategies, MCF will simultaneously engage in research, education, and convening to determine the most effective long-term solutions for subsequent investments.
Under this goal, MCF will support projects that incorporate the following strategy and approaches:
Strategy 1: Assess the feasibility of and develop a replicable model for soil carbon sequestration on Marin rangelands
Sequestration of carbon (SCS) in rangeland soils is one of the leading strategies to permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere, thereby slowing or reversing climate change. SCS is a low-cost, low-risk approach that improves the productivity and sustainability of rangelands. Marin County has more than 170,000 acres of rangelands with soil types, vegetation, and land uses ideal for soil carbon sequestration. The agricultural community has existing capacity, infrastructure, and partners to assess the feasibility of SCS and to build a replicable model.
Approach 1: Conduct research to validate the feasibility/potential of CO2e reduction of soil carbon sequestration and determine the most effective soil management practices
Approach 2: Educate landowners on the benefits of carbon sequestration, secure additional commitments from landowners to participate in a pilot project, and implement this project
A logic model for this strategy has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
Process for Strategy 1:
RFPs will be issued to community organizations that are being invited to apply for support under this strategy. This strategy will not use an open competitive grants process.
Strategy 2: Decrease energy and water use and increase clean and renewable energy technologies
Energy and water use in buildings (commercial, residential, schools, and nonprofit) is the second largest source of CO2e emissions in Marin County. The implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in existing homes and buildings is a primary lever to reduce CO2e in the County, because these older existing homes and buildings account for 96% of all buildings and are not required to undertake energy and water efficiency measures. Decreasing energy and water use through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects also provides significant cost savings, making it attractive even without considering the environmental benefits. People who run nonprofits and schools, owners of residences and businesses, and local governments have several key needs with respect to implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and policies, including financial resources, technical analysis, and project management to develop policies and complete projects. MCF and its partners expect to leverage matching funds for energy efficiency and solar projects from national and State entities.
Approach 1: Facilitate energy efficiency and solar projects with a focus on financing and financial resources, technical analysis consultation, and project pre-planning and management, with an initial focus on affordable housing, nonprofits, and school projects
A logic model for this approach has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
Approach 2: Conduct research, develop green building policies, and mobilize residents, business leaders, and elected officials to support those policies
A logic model for this approach has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
Process for Strategy 2:
RFPs will be issued to community organizations that are being invited to apply for support under this strategy. This strategy will not use an open competitive grants process.
Strategy 3: Decrease carbon emissions due to travel in Marin County
Transportation accounts for the largest source of CO2e emissions in Marin and the Bay Area (approximately 1.9M metric tons of CO2e or 60% of total CO2e emissions in Marin County). Marin residents and leaders have strong interests in environmental and transportation-related issues, with a strong desire to improve air quality, lessen traffic, and improve transit options and mobility. Key agencies and elected officials have prioritized the transportation sector and identified non-motorized and behavior-related measures as leading levers to address CO2e emissions reductions and traffic alleviation. MCF's initial investments will focus on proven transportation strategies that influence transportation behaviors and attitudes toward alternative forms of transit, while achieving significant CO2e reductions. MCF will work simultaneously to create a shared understanding of longer-term solutions through research and convening that builds public support and political will to address more difficult approaches to reduce larger amounts of CO2e from the transportation sector.
Approach 1: Provide educational and technical assistance to K-12 schools to shift students to biking, walking, carpooling, and transit, with a focus on middle and high schools
Approach 2: Provide funding to organizations for research, convening, and advocacy to develop and build support for implementing high-impact CO2e reduction strategies
A logic model for this approach has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
Process for Strategy 3:
RFPs will be issued to community organizations that are being invited to apply for support under this strategy. This strategy will not use an open competitive grants process.
A logic model for this approach has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area. Download the PDF to view it.
