NACo County Climate Protection Program

The NACo County Climate Protection Program supports counties as they work to have a positive impact in their communities – reducing emissions, benefiting the environment and public health, and saving taxpayer dollars. This new program provides counties with best practices, tools and resources to assist them in developing and implementing successful climate change programs at home.  The first step for a county to participate in the program is to adopt a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a numerical target. Because one size does not fit all, NACo offers counties a pledge template allowing them to select from existing national campaigns with quantifiable targets to reduce global warming, or to establish their own appropriate goal.

For more information on the program contact Kelly Zonderwyk at kzonderwyk@naco.org or 202.942.4224.

Climate Protection Program Resolution (PDF)
This model resolution pledges a county to take action to mitigate the possible sources of climate change.

Preparing for Climate Change - A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments
A guidebook produced by a number of partners including King County, WA on preparing for climate change impacts.

Video: Arlington County, Va. FreshAIRE Campaign
Approximately a 30-minute video on the launch of Arlington County’s successful initiative to reduce emissions.

2007 County Climate Protection Forum
Presentations from the first-ever national forum for counties on climate protection.

07/09/2007 - Climate Resilient Communities campaign helps counties adapt in face of global warming
This County News article focuses on adaptions counties are making to prepare for global warming.

07/02/2007 - NACo launches County Climate Protection Program
The NACo County Climate Protection Program will provide counties with the tools and resources to assist them in developing and implementing successful climate change programs at home.

Counties and Climate FAQs (pdf)