Climate Change and Business Research Initiative
In This Section
How California Businesses Can Prosper in an Era of Climate Change
This research initiative:
- Connects leaders from business, government, nonprofits and academia to address pressing environmental and energy needs
- Issues white papers to inform California's decision-makers on policies necessary for businesses to prosper in the era of climate change
- Serves as a conduit to experts in the field and a clearinghouse for the latest research on climate change policies
Initiative Co-Sponsors:
Bank of America Foundation
Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (Berkeley Law)
Emmett Center on Climate Change and the Environment (UCLA Law)
UCLA Environmental Law Center (UCLA Law)
White Papers
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Renewable Energy
White Paper: Harvesting Clean Energy: How California Can Deploy Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects on Appropriate Farmland - October 2011
California will need to steer the development of large-scale renewable energy facilities on agricultural land toward lands that do not deplete the state's prime agricultural and biological resources.
Key policy recommendations: develop criteria for the most suitable agricultural lands for renewable energy deployment, expedite environmental review and endangered species permitting for projects on these lands, and coordinate state and local land use planning and transmission investments to encourage development on these sites.
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White Paper: In Our Backyard: How to Increase Renewable Energy Production on Big Buildings and Other Local Spaces – December 2009
To meet renewable energy goals, California will need to formulate strategies for greater deployment of renewable energy technologies on businesses and public properties.
Key policy recommendations: Expanded feed-in tariff and net metering policies and state legislation to deploy more renewable energy technologies on state highways, the aqueduct, and other public spaces.
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Transportation
White Paper: All Aboard: How California Can Increase Investments in Public Transportation - July 2011
A well-funded and comprehensive public transit system in California could help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the driving and save residents and businesses time and money.
Key policy recommendations: State policies that lower the threshold for voter approval of transit tax measures, authorization of tax increment financing for transit improvements, better land use surrounding transit stations, and more efficient use of existing transit resources and infrastructure development.
Water Efficiency
White Paper: Drops of Energy: Conserving Urban Water in California to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions - May 2011
Because pumping, treating, and using water involves energy consumption, conserving water in California will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and constitute a critical adaptation strategy as the state faces a likely future of fewer water supplies and more people
Key policy recommendations: Improved state policies to provide more accurate data on water usage, on-bill financing and a public goods charge on water usage to finance efficiency measures, and a coordinated statewide outreach campaign to promote water efficiency among consumers
Energy Storage
White Paper: The Power of Energy Storage: How to Increase Deployment in California to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions - July 2010
Energy storage, through technologies such as batteries, flywheels, and compressed air, will be critical to integrating intermittent renewable energy, like solar or wind, into the grid.
Key policy recommendations: Revised utility and grid operator procurement policies that allow competition from energy storage technologies, tax benefits for energy storage projects, and the creation of a separate asset class for energy storage.
Land Use Planning
White Paper: Plan for the Future: How Local Governments Can Help Implement California's New Land Use and Climate Change Legislation - July 2010
Many local governments need assistance developing the land use plans necessary to implement SB 375, the state's landmark law that coordinates transportation and land use planning at the regional level.
Key policy recommendations: Improved public outreach to encourage citizen participation in developing a vision for population growth and transportation in local communities, expanded financing for local government planning efforts, and streamlined local land use codes and sharing of best practices.
Energy Efficiency
White Paper: Saving Energy: How California Can Launch a Statewide Retrofit Program for Existing Residences and Small Businesses - May 2010
Many of California's 13 million residences and existing buildings could achieve significant energy conservation and greenhouse gas emission reductions through retrofitting, including adopting low-tech solutions such as "cool roofs," improved heating and cooling systems, and basic insulation.
Key policy recommendations: Expanded support of retrofit financing programs, development of retrofit workforce licensing standards, enhanced mapping of housing stock and climate zones, and statewide marketing campaign to promote retrofits.
Agriculture
White Paper: Room to Grow: How California Agriculture Can Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions – March 2010
Agricultural businesses can play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming in California, while saving themselves money in the process.
Key policy recommendations: Increased on-farm renewable energy through expansion of the feed-in tariff and net metering programs, more efficient fertilizer usage and livestock feed, and regulatory processes to encourage innovation
Sustainable Real Estate Development
White Paper: Removing the Roadblocks – How to Make Sustainable Development Happen Now – August 2009
Overcoming barriers to more sustainable real estate development, which includes compact housing, retail, and commercial projects, will allow residents to walk and take transit for regular trips and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with driving.
Key policy recommendations: Streamlined environmental review of sustainable projects through enhanced programmatic planning, differential impact fees on sprawl and sustainable development, and support for local government planning.
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For more information about these workshops, please contact Bank of America Fellow Ethan Elkind at eelkind@law.berkeley.edu.
