Ambitious Agendas

Convened by the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) led a team of consultants providing free technical assistance to local and regional government agencies across the U.S. applying for funding through the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. Working with USDN, CSC designed the CPRG Assistance Project to meet the needs of grant seekers by developing innovative grant strategy tools and facilitating peer cohort calls as well as weekly office hours to advise on specific project ideas and program strategies. CSC also worked closely with the grant strategy team at Skog Rasmussen to provide coaching and advisory support to coalitions of local governments developing CPRG implementation grant proposals. The CPRG Assistance Project supported multiple successful grant proposals resulting in over $56,000,000 in funding for regional climate action. 

Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) is leading BayREN's Resilient Libraries Network, an innovative pilot program designed by CSC to develop a network of resilient local libraries that can also function as Community Resilience Centers to deliver resources before, during and/or natural hazard-related events. Participants receive free technical assistance and recommendations to identify and fund energy upgrades needed to improve each library building’s efficiency, resilience, and ability to provide cooling and clean air to their communities.  The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is a coalition of the Bay Area's nine counties - a network of local governments partnering to promote resource efficiency at the regional level, focusing on energy, water, and greenhouse gas reduction. 

Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) led the climate advisory team for the City of Portland’s Economic Development Strategy. CSC developed a framework and “climate lens” to integrate economic development and climate action goals for the city and support prioritization of strategies that meet both goals. CSC assessed key climate vulnerabilities for priority economic development clusters and developed recommendations for the city to advance economic growth and maintain competitiveness while addressing climate change risks and mitigating impacts. CSC’s work was informed by interviews with city staff and business leaders across sectors who provided insight on challenges presented by specific climate risks as well as opportunities to support key industries in successfully transitioning to a clean, resilient, and circular economy. 

Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) developed guidance for the Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI) to engage and support California county sustainability staff in integrating carbon sequestration as a key climate action strategy. CSC interviewed county staff and agricultural partners to understand current limitations and challenges and designed guidance to clarify how counties can support local producers in implementing carbon farming practices. The guidance outlines key benefits, risks of inaction and alignment with state policy and funding opportunities. CSC also developed step by step strategies for county staff to engage their agricultural communities, align county priorities and carbon farming benefits, and identify the best roles for county departments to play to support local producers in developing resilient natural and working lands.  

Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) worked with six Bay Area counties to design strategic Roadmaps that align local priorities with energy goals and identify key focus areas and partnership opportunities to expand impact. These Roadmaps help guide county level outreach for the The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). BayREN is a coalition of the Bay Area's nine counties - a network of local governments partnering to to promote resource efficiency at the regional level, focusing on energy, water, and greenhouse gas reduction. 

Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) led the development of the first organizational strategic plan for the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) by assessing needs, developing recommendations, and engaging the Board, RCPA members, and partners to coalesce around clear goals, objectives and outcomes.

Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) co-authored an assessment of the U.S. adaption field for the Kresge Foundation and developed recommendations to realize a vision of what a mature, effective field would look like. Through a robust field review including over 80 interviews with thought leaders and practitioners, the team compiled Rising to the Challenge Together, a report outlining new insights and specific recommendations for adaptation stakeholders and philanthropic partners. 

Funded by the California Natural Resources Agency, Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) worked with the California Department of Health Equity and the Public Health Institute to inform the development of the California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT) as part of California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment. The tool enables local governments and community stakeholders to identify and plan for health related risks of extreme heat for their communities. 

Funded by the San Francisco Foundation, Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) partnered with SPUR to gather input from climate resilience stakeholders to develop recommendations for how communities can more meaningfully measure progress in advancing community climate resilience. The white paper identifies best practices and outlines recommendations for developing effective resilience indicators informed by existing projects and input from stakeholders.