Sustainability
The Capital District Regional Planning Commission actively manages a number of sustainability programs across the region. For a brief overview of our technical support services, please see our municipal support one-pager.
For a list of funding opportunities, please visit the Funding Guide Database provided by Syracuse University’s Environmental Finance Center, and the Climate and Environmental Grants list provided by Partners for Climate Action.
Capital Region Climate Action Plan
The Capital District Regional Planning Commission is leading the development of the first-ever climate action plan for the Capital Region. The planning process will include two phases. The first phase entails the creation of a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP). The PCAP process starts August 1, 2023 and concludes with a final PCAP report March 1, 2024. The PCAP will be immediately followed-up by the development of a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which will be completed by September 1, 2025.
The PCAP and CCAP will be developed through a newly developed Climate Action Collaborative that includes a consortium of existing regional agencies, partner organizations and municipal climate action leaders covering Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Columbia, Warren, Washington, and Greene Counties.
NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities
CDRPC provides free technical assistance to local governments in the Capital Region in pursuing NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program. Through this program, local governments are encouraged to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, and improve the environment. In addition to providing tools, resources, and technical assistance, the program recognizes and rewards leadership for the completion of a number of clean energy initiatives.
Climate Smart Communities
Climate Smart Communities (CSC) is a New York State program that encourages local governments to implement actions to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. Communities earn points toward certification for each action they complete. In addition to accumulating points, each community must complete several mandatory and priority actions at each level of certification (bronze, silver). The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regularly offers CSC Grant opportunities through NYS’s Consolidated Funding Application. To gain insight into how other municipalities are taking part in this program, please visit the Participating Communities page.
For more information regarding Climate Smart Communities designation and qualifying actions, please visit https://climatesmart.ny.gov/ for the most up-to-date information. The Sustainability Coordinators at CDRPC are here to help provide free technical assistance to municipalities through the CSC application process.
