CDRPC Announces New Climate Smart Communities Initiative

On Earth Day, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the launch of a new initiative designed to accelerate local action on climate change by providing technical assistance to municipalities working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to current and future climate change impacts. DEC is contracting with three regional partners to serve as Climate Smart Communities Coordinators to serve as technical support providers and strategic planners to help guide local governments in the development of successful local climate action initiatives across New York State.

Capital District Regional Planning Commission will lead the multi-region Climate Smart Communities Coordinators teams for the eastern territory (Mid-Hudson, Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, and North Country).  Program partners include the Adirondack North Country Association, the Hudson Valley Regional Council, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Planning4Places, Inc, and Climate Action Associates.

Climate Smart Communities Coordinators will use the New York State Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification program as a roadmap for providing technical support. Coordinators will provide outreach and support for climate action engagement, as well as capacity building, education, and training; facilitate local climate mitigation planning and climate adaptation and resilience planning; support the implementation of local climate action and projects; convene climate and transportation listening sessions; and conduct evaluations.

To read the DEC’s press release, please visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/125222.html.

To learn more about the DEC’s Climate Smart Communities program, visit https://climatesmart.ny.gov/.

To learn more about how your community can participate in the program, please contact Todd Fabozzi, Director of Sustainability at CDRPC, at todd@cdrpc.org.