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Equity

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Our community continues to experience the impact of climate change in many ways. In recent years, summer heat waves and winter floods have become part of life in our community. We cannot expect these events to stop, but we can become a more resilient community. As resilience plans come together, we cannot move forward without acknowledging that the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by our underserved populations.

In the face of a changing climate on a local level, the City considers every part of our community when taking climate action and building resilience. All projects have an element of equity, and some are entirely equity focused. For example, an equity component is included in every measure of the Climate Action Plan.

What does that look like?

A commitment to identifying real world barriers to community-wide initiatives and goals
Bridging the outreach and education gap
Centering stakeholders from underserved neighborhoods
Focusing on equitable access to services and programs

These commitments start now and are written into our future. As a whole community, we’re committed to moving Together to Zero.

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Climate Action Plan Update

The City plans to have equity and justice at the forefront of long-term decisions, which is why both are featured throughout the new Climate Action Plan (CAP). To plan for the future, the City needs to consider all communities and what they need to reduce GHG emissions.

Public comment is now open:

We want to hear from you! This plan is for our community, and we want to hear your thoughts on our strategies for a sustainable future. From March 22nd to April 24th, email your comments to CAP@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. Comments will be reviewed by our team before the CAP is approved by City Council.

Electric Vehicle Charging Access

Franklin Center and Eastside Library Resilience Hub and Microgrid

SB Clean Energy Programs and Incentives

As the City continues to expand its Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) Program, a main focus moving forward will be to grow the program and provide more incentives for residents.

Increasing accessibility for SBCE members to decarbonize will help the City’s GHG reduction goals, create a cleaner local environment, and reach people that would otherwise not be able to afford switching to electric without assistance. Check out our current programs and incentives!

Regional Climate Justice and Equity Collaboration

The City is collaborating on a regional scale to optimize climate justice and equity initiatives in the tri-county region. Working collectively will strengthen efforts and prevent overburdening community-based organizations and the community at large.

Currently the City participates in Santa Barbara County’s Equity Advisory Committee and the Central Coast Climate Justice Network. The City is always looking for opportunities to collaborate and expand outreach efforts; if you have a suggestion of an organization, program, or event focusing on social, economic, and/or environmental equity that we should know about please email us at Sustainability@SantaBarbaraCA.gov!

Want to partner? Reach out!

Equity

What does that look like?

Current Efforts

These Efforts are Just the Beginning