In 2001, local climate activists launched a campaign to mobilize Sonoma County governments to fight climate change. This initiative created an innovative partnership that produced countywide greenhouse gas inventories, climate targets, and climate action plans; started a local community choice energy utility; and, in 2009, founded the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA). RCPA facilitates collaboration among Sonoma County’s local governments, helps set goals, pools resources, formalizes partnerships, and works across policy areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resiliency. RCPA became California’s first Climate Resilience District with the passage of SB 852 in 2022. The purpose of the session is to share Sonoma County’s successful model of local government collaboration on climate, learn about RCPA’s work to develop new sources of local funding for climate action centered in environmental justice, and explore how collaborative models like RCPA’s could help other regions achieve their climate goals.

Speakers

• Tanya Narath, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Director of Climate Programs
• Suzanne Smith, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Executive Director
• Tasha Wright, Santa Rosa Water, Energy and Sustainability Coordinator
• Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Executive Director