Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region

Collective impact is a framework for bringing together a wide and diverse group of stakeholders to tackle an urgent, yet complex problem (like climate change) that cannot be solved with a single solution or from within a single organization or sector. The Accelerator uses a collective impact approach, because it aligns with our commitment to equity and inclusive, collaborative processes. The Accelerator has convened a steering committee for this initiative, made up of key decision-makers and "lived experience experts" from a wide range of sectors, including government, business, health, housing, transportation, and agriculture. (Continued on Schedule O)This steering committee worked with consultants from the Stockholm Environment Institute to develop the Genesee-FLX Climate Action Strategy, and is now developing a shared measurement system to assess progress toward achieving the strategy's goals. The steering committee and issue-based working groups coordinate mutually reinforcing activities to implement the strategy and reduce redundancies, break down silos, and maximize the efficient use of resources.The goal of this work is to move our region quickly towards carbon neutrality and end our dependence on fossil fuels, as required by New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. In addition to mitigating climate change, the systems-level solutions identified in the Genesee-FLX Climate Action Strategy will enhance the quality of life for our region's residents in a variety of ways, such as improved public health, energy affordability, opportunities for green job development, sustainable transportation options, access to public greenspace, neighborhood stability/resilience, and home comfort.

The Finger Lakes Clean Energy Hub (AMPED) is a NYSERDA-funded initiative to ensure that historically underserved communities and populations participate in and benefit from the transition to clean energy. The Hub's services currently include residential and commercial energy advisement, referrals to vetted contractors, and community education and outreach-in collaboration with community partners-to promote beneficial electrification and encourage residents and organizational leaders to electrify their homes, buildings and vehicles.

Color Your Organization Green (CYOG) is a year-long course, during which participating organizations form internal "Green Teams and through monthly guided learning sessions have the opportunity to develop a Climate Action Plan for their organization. During the course, participants 1) develop an understanding of the obstacles and opportunities that climate change poses for our region, through an intersectional, equity-focused lens; 2) identify how they currently contribute to the climate crisis, and corresponding quick wins and high-impact solutions that will mitigate their impact; 3) create a strategy and vision to guide their organization in addressing the climate crisis over the long term; (Continued on Schedule O)4) connect to relevant resources and a network of like-minded organizations; and 5) begin moving toward their vision, implementing strategy, and measuring progress.

Color Your Community Green: The Accelerator is mobilizing climate action across the nine-county region through our Color Your Community Green (CYCG) initiative. CYCG is a volunteer-driven initiative that connects and organizes concerned individuals, by municipality or neighborhood, to form a network of climate-focused citizen action teams that (1) identify locally-relevant, high-impact climate solutions and develop implementation strategies using the CYCG "Toolkit, and (2) advocate for environmental justice and equitable climate solutions to be implemented at the municipal level and in schools.Other programs address the effects of climate change and work to create a more environmentally sustainable community.