Reports
Keeping you informed
We want to keep you informed on key issues, legislative action, and incentives that, not only drive policy solutions at the local level, but inspire individual advocacy and action. Click to download or learn more about our latest reports. Questions? Email policy@theclimatecollaborative.org.
Alternative Fuel Buses
This report is an assessment of the three leading alternative fuels for transit buses: Compressed Natural Gas, Battery Electric Buses, and Fuel Cell Electric Buses. We've created this report to inform localities on the best alternative fuel options aligned with climate objectives, public health, environmental justice, fiscal responsibility, and service quality.
Our analysis in this report focused on three key topics: (1) Expenditures and Technological Capacities, (2) Air Pollution, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Other Considerations, and (3) Market Trends.
On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, we held a webinar to explore the future of sustainable transportation and learn more about Battery Electric Buses (BEBs), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses, and Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs).
Check out the webinar video to learn how public transportation can be a tool for reducing air pollution, improving public health, and combating climate change. Hear firsthand how transit agencies are making the transition to BEBs from our guest speakers, two transit agency leaders at the forefront of the transition.
Climate & Health
The broad-ranging health effects of climate change can be more subtle than the immediately apparent impacts, such as extreme weather events and pollution. Marginalized communities often bear the brunt of these consequences due to historical inequalities. The intersection of climate change, equity, and health also offers opportunities for shared solutions. This report examines the hidden health consequences of climate change and explores equitable strategies that can benefit both people and the environment.
Climate Justice One-Pagers
C3 created a series of informational one-pagers on key climate topics: (i) climate justice, (ii) climate and health, (ii) transportation justice, (iv) energy justice, and (v) natural gas and climate justice. These brief reports are meant to give digestible insights into important intersections that are crucial to understanding and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Woodridge Solar Project Analysis
Transitioning to a clean energy economy rapidly and justly is a crucial part of addressing the climate crisis. That’s why C3 analyzed the proposed Woodridge Solar Project in Albemarle County using our very own Solar Climate Justice Scorecard to assess the project in four key climate justice areas: (i) Procedural Justice, (ii) Distributional Justice, (iii) Restorative Justice, and (iv) Other Socio-Economic and Environmental Factors. Check out the report to see why we support the Woodridge Solar Project, and sign our petition to urge the County move ahead with this project.
Climate Action Incentives 2.0
Public and private entities offer several monetary incentives for climate action through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation measures. With this newly updated report, C3 informs Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents of their options to save money and take action against climate change. There are 44 incentives available to support local climate action listed! Take advantage today. Note: we have not yet updated this report to reflect the Inflation Reduction Act incentives.
Lessons in Residential Electrification.
In this report you will find the analysis of the climate, energy consumption, and monetary impacts of the project, as well as individual profiles of project participants and the scope of work for each household.
Disclaimer: Our project included a small sample size of eight households. Results for households were based on the comparison of three months of data from Q1 2020 and Q1 2021. Temperature variations between 2020 and 2021 were significant, and the Covid-19 pandemic likely had a significant impact on behavior and energy usage of all participants.
In case you missed our Lesson in Residential Electrification webinar on August 31, 2021, we have the recording for you below. In this webinar we explored the lessons learned in switching our eight homeowners to all-electric. The webinar begins with an overview of the project, then we present key findings-- the environmental; health and safety; cost savings; and comfort. Next we show you a virtual tour of two of the homes, and then leave go to Q and A.
Transit Equity and Climate Report
For the past year, C3 has conducted research, literature reviews, and community surveys on transit and its intersections with equity and climate.
Improving our transit system is essential to extending opportunity and access to all, breaking the cycle of poverty that burdens many underserved households. Our Transit Equity and Climate: Moving to a Cleaner Future presents a roadmap for improving our transit system. Reducing the expenses, pollution, and hassle of car-dependent communities also helps us achieve our climate goals. Let's shape together the advocacy needed to build a stronger transit system for our community!
Take a look at our executive summary.
On Wednesday, September 29, 2021, report author, Caetano de Campos Lopes shared the findings of our Transit Equity and Climate: Moving To a Cleaner Future report. Watch the webinar or view the slide deck to learn what transit changes or improvements our community members would like to see happen and what the best practices are for achieving them.
Uncovering Energy Inequity
The Community Climate Collaborative sought to understand which neighborhoods in Charlottesville, Virginia, are most at risk of bearing unsustainable energy costs, and what key factors must be considered when advancing energy equity in the City. By closely examining energy burden levels, important energy inequities were uncovered and paths for equitably tackling climate change and the housing crisis started to take a clearer shape.
On this webinar, C3 staff discussed what the data on energy burden revealed; where energy burden exists in Charlottesville; and potential reasons why. The discussion was followed by a few words from community partners and a listener Q&A.
Featured speakers included C3’s Executive Director, Susan Kruse, report author Caetano de Campos Lopes, C3 Director of Climate Policy; Laura Goldblatt, member of the Charlottesville Low-Income Housing Coalition, Commissioner for the Charlottesville Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia; and Javier Raudales, Client Services Coordinator for Sin Barrera.
View “Uncovering Energy Inequity one-pager below
Local Effects of Climate Change
The effects of climate change have both a global and local impact. This report explains how local biodiversity, public health and safety, agricultural production, and energy bills have already been impacted by climate change with considerations for how these effects may continue to impact the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County in the future.
General Assembly Climate Highlights
Numerous bills were passed during Virginia’s 2020 legislative session that will propel clean and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency programs, promote clean transportation, and advance the Commonwealth’s climate goals. This report highlights some specific bills that impact key areas of climate action in Virginia and provides insights on how they empower individuals, businesses, and communities to reduce emissions.