What is a model policy?

Model policies jumpstart the process of getting strong climate equity policies in place in our communities. A model policy is a draft law that provides a strong starting place for communities looking for legally sound, evidence-based ways to make change. Model policies can easily be tailored to meet the needs and concerns of a given community. Our policies are designed to advance climate protection and support equitable and just communities.

What is climate equity?

As we work to mitigate and adapt to climate change, we need to advance policies that undo the racial and economic inequities of our country, instead creating just and healthy communities for everyone. Low-income people and people of color often face the effects of climate change in multiple layers: higher likelihood of environmentally unjust exposures to pollution from extractive industries, less flexibility to move away from areas of high climate risk, more vulnerability to climate change effects due to underlying health conditions, and fewer resources to enable a safe response or evacuation during or after a climate emergency. We can focus on solutions that advance equity and address climate at the same time.

Why work on climate equity?

Climate equity policies can address inequities while advancing a positive future. Policies can take on underlying inequities, institute systems that support more just and equitable communities, and address immediate negative effects of climate change on particular communities.

Why focus on policy change?

Crucial work is occurring across the climate spectrum. But changing policies is one of the best ways to make sure that advocacy creates lasting changes at a meaningful scale. Policy changes influence our world at the systems level, making sure that improvements are widespread and institutionalized. Model climate policies are scarce, and equity is sometimes an afterthought in policy design. But we know that model policies and associated advocacy can jumpstart and accelerate change. By incorporating equity into the core of our climate policies, we ensure that advocates and decisionmakers have a strong, equity-focused, legally sound starting place for change.

If climate change is a global problem, how can local policy change make a difference?

Local governments — towns, villages, cities, and counties — are uniquely positioned in the fight against climate harm. Not only are local governments essential actors in creating change, but they also have the ability to maintain strong leadership even when action at the federal or state level is insufficient.

Local governments have significant control over many of the levers of climate emissions and adaptation: the local level is where many changes need to occur to really make a difference. Local policies and practices affect land development, housing growth and protections, and the street network. Local governments manage buildings and vehicle fleets, control waste collection, and more. Local governments can use policy to reduce emissions and engage in adaptation with regard to their own practices, as well as to incentivize, fund, require, and prohibit climate-affecting behaviors by residents and businesses.

Most importantly, communities are best positioned to have a substantial voice and impact on policy change when it is at the local level.  At the local level, community members can make sure that solutions are tailored to the specific conditions of the community, seizing on key opportunities to rectify inequity, address climate vulnerabilities, or begin change in areas where easy wins are possible.