Climate Policy Program

Seventh Generation Advisors (SGA) Climate Policy Program works to ensure that strong climate policies and agreements are adopted and implemented at the state, federal and international level in order to expedite the reduction of GHG emissions and protect our natural resources.

Through outreach to Governors and policy makers, SGA tracks implementation of state climate policies.  In some cases this may include providing Governors with carbon-reducing tools that have been successful in California and other jurisdictions; providing technical / educational testimony at hearings or to other critical stakeholder groups; and by connecting key stakeholders to climate action planning processes with partner organizations.

In order to help track and understand climate policy action at the state and regional level SGA has created a number of on line tools.  For example, below are links to climate policy maps in each of the climate policy "building block" sectors.  In addition SGA has created the only tool that tracks the implementation of state climate action plans - the State Climate Policy Tracker is an excel spreadsheet that follows the progress of actions states have included in their climate action plans.

It has been estimated that up to 80% of mitigation and adaptation policies will happen at the sub national and local levels. Accordingly we believe that our approach is not only effective but imperative to solve the climate crisis.  Our previous work has demonstrated our ability to encourage states to move forward with strong climate policies.  These policies can then serve as models for other states, the federal government and governments abroad.  The Obama Administration’s adoption of California’s tailpipe emissions standards serves as an example of how strong state policies can set a high bar and eventually be widely implemented.

In 2010, building on the momentum of state climate policy work SGA began advising and helping to develop policies and projects for the newly formed R20 Regions of Climate Action.  R20 is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and implement low-carbon and climate resilient projects through cooperation among subnational governments around the world, non-governmental organizations, corporations and educational institutions. Through these efforts, R20 will demonstrate both the capacity and willingness of these entities to tackle climate change and create strong green and climate resilient economies. 

> State Climate Policy Tracker

> State Building Blocks

• Transportation Policies
• Emissions Reduction Targets
• Climate Action Plans
• Renewable Portfolio Standards
• Energy Efficiency Standards

> Regional Carbon Market Initiatives

> Climate Policy Program Bulletin

Bottom Up Strategy: State Climate Action

Efforts at the sub national and state level are crucial to solving the challenge of global warming for three reasons:
1.  There are significant environmental benefits to be gained from a reduced carbon footprint in states as large as California (which is the world's sixth largest economy and the twelfth largest emitter of GHGs).
2.  The potential economic benefits are also demonstrable, given the likely creation of new sustainable industries (renewable energy, for example).
3.  Other nations are more likely to reduce their own GHGs when the United States is seen to be taking action, even when that action is at the subnational rather than the federal level.

Proven Success

Over the last few years our work with key leadership governors and associations has produced tangible results:

• With active input and guidance from SGA, 20 states have set GHG reduction targets and more than 33 states have completed or are in the process of completing Climate Action Plans. SGA is involved in promoting a federal climate policy that builds on work being done by these states.
• SGA provided policy guidance on the creation of Western and Midwestern cap-and-trade carbon market systems. More than 20 states across the nation have joined one of these regional carbon trading systems (including the Northeast system), which allow regulated entities to use flexible market-based compliance mechanisms to comply with their GHG emissions caps.
• SGA continuously designs and distributes climate policy tools for state leaders and organizations.
• SGA organized the Governors' Global Climate Summits (November 2008 and October 2009 in California hosted by Governor Schwarzenegger). Both summits brought together leaders from around the world to forge climate policy agreements and the 2008 summit served as a venue for President-Elect Obama to make a firm commitment that the United States commits to making GHG reductions. In addition we helped organize Florida Governor Crist’s Serve to Preserve Climate Summits in 2007 and 2008.

Behind-The-Scenes Ambassadors

SGA's Climate Policy Program adds significant impetus to the efforts of the other nonprofit organizations that are contributing to (or are the actual architects of) state and local climate action plans. While academic and technical organizations can provide climate plans, emissions inventories, and models from other states, the Climate Policy Program staff is uniquely suited to provide:

• Experience from the "trenches" of climate planning efforts in several states, especially California, now regarded as the gold standard for state climate plans and legislation. The lessons learned can prove invaluable to other states as they embark on comprehensive climate planning.
• Connections to governors, key legislators, and world leaders to provide advice and political support for new climate planning efforts at the state, national and international level.
• Assistance to governors and other state and local leaders and their policy advisors in navigating the complex potential outcomes to adopt a full complement of climate measures and ensure effective implementation.