San Francisco Tackles Carbon Emissions by Investing in Local Projects
The San Francisco Carbon Fund will award up to $200,000 to local organizations
The San Francisco Department of the Environment has released a new request for proposals (RFP) for the San Francisco Carbon Fund (SF Carbon Fund).The SF Carbon Fund awards grants and contracts for local projects that mitigate carbon and reduce the impacts of climate change, beautifying neighborhoods and enhancing the living environment.
The primary goal of the 2013 SF Carbon Fund grant cycle is to mitigate harmful carbon pollution by increasing the number of healthy trees in public areas, expanding local habitats, and reducing stormwater runoff from sidewalks and streets.
Upon recommendation of the Climate Action Strategy Gray to Green Community Panel, a diverse panel of San Francisco community members and experts, this year’s grant cycle has been retooled to promote investment in local communities. The RFP encourages collaboration between nonprofits and diverse community groups with funding up to $200,000 for smaller projects. Any school, neighborhood organization, or nonprofit is eligible to apply.
“The SF Carbon Fund empowers communities to take climate action into their own hands,” said Melanie Nutter, director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment. “With every tree planted, every butterfly garden planted, or paved area turned green we are investing in our city’s green infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions while making our city more resilient for generations to come.”
Co-benefits of funded projects include reducing urban heat island impacts and flooding risks, expanding the production of locally grown food, increasing equitable access to green space, and restoring urban biodiversity.
Launched in 2007, the SF Carbon Fund was the first program of its kind to place a fee on municipal airline travel; the funds from which go toward carbon mitigation within the community. The Department of the Environment administers these funds through recurring grant cycles of the SF Carbon Fund. Prior funding cycles of the SF Carbon Fund have made awards for a local recycled biodiesel business and urban orchard projects.
“The SF Carbon Fund is an innovative local carbon reduction tool that serves as a model for other cities,” said Tim Beatley of the Biophilic Cities Project at the University of Virginia. “By funding local projects, the City is investing in the local ecology while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing community resiliency.”
“With President Obama’s announcement of a national climate action plan, climate change action has become a national priority,” added Nutter. “Local carbon reduction programs such as the SF Carbon Fund provide a way for cities to answer President Obama’s call to act on climate change.”
Grant applications are due by 5PM on September 13, 2013, after a pre-application workshop held on August 19. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts, and grantee selections will be approved by the San Francisco Commission on the Environment.
More information
SF Carbon Fund Request For Proposals: http://www.sfenvironment.org/article/climate-change/san-francisco-carbon-fund
Email [email protected] for more information about the application process.
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