Ulster County Community Climate Action Plan

What Was the Challenge?

Ulster County wanted to address climate change by creating its first Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The County needed a comprehensive strategy to identify greenhouse gas reduction goals and prioritize actionable initiatives across industries, businesses, schools, homes, and vehicles. This required extensive community engagement, outreach, and coordination among stakeholders to ensure the plan was both effective and inclusive.

How Did Barton & Loguidice Provide a Solution?

Barton & Loguidice partnered with Ulster County to develop the CCAP, using an updated community-scale greenhouse gas emissions inventory as its foundation. B&L reviewed existing climate-related studies, summarized emissions data, and identified vulnerable populations to guide the plan.

Key initiatives included:

• Establishing a project website through Ulster County’s Participate Ulster platform.
• Conducting community surveys, focus groups, tabling events, and public meetings to gather input.
• Offering Spanish translation, hosting events in disadvantaged communities, and providing both in-person and online participation options to ensure accessibility.

The B&L team collaborated with local groups to enhance the CCAP’s development, including Bard College students and the Climate Corps Internship Program. Monthly meetings with County representatives also ensured alignment with local priorities. Eleven detailed project profiles were created and outline implementation steps, timelines, responsible entities, and potential funding sources.

Why Was This Project a Success?

Our engagement strategies and collaborative approach ensured that the new community climate action plan reflected community needs and priorities. The project profiles provide a clear roadmap for achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, while fostering co-benefits such as improved public health and economic development. By combining innovation with inclusivity, this project sets a model for other municipalities aiming to address climate challenges effectively and equitably.