Planning Resources

The resources below can help your business or community reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Visit our Local Initiatives page to see examples of plans from local governments and organizations in Oregon.

For Businesses

• The Natural Step is a science-based non-profit that helps businesses move toward sustainability by providing consultations and education.
• The Oregon Environmental Council offers an online tool to help your business go carbon-neutral, step by step.
• Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) is a partnership of local governments and utilities that provides resources for Portland businesses to become more sustainable.

For Governments

• Join Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), an association of local governments around the world who are “committed to climate protection and sustainability”. Visit the site to join or explore the Action Center for information and software tools to use to finance, plan, staff, and implement a sustainability program for your local government. The Pacific Northwest and Islands Region page links to sustainability events and meetings in the region.

For Colleges and Universities

• The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment asks its signatories to make a commitment to neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions and provides resources to help them do so. The site includes this Implementation Guide (.pdf) and examples of university climate action plans.
• Read Environmental Health and Engineering's free online guide, Striving for Climate Neutrality on Campus: 7 Steps to Writing a Climate Action Plan for a Reduced Carbon Footprint (.pdf).

For Neighborhood & Community Groups

• Get started with a Local Organization Toolkit from SE Uplift Neighborhood Coalition's Neighborhood Climate Action Planning Handbook
• Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Global Warming program and Oregon Interfaith Power and Light pages provide resources for Oregon congregations to inventory and reduce emissions and to encourage community education and dialogue about climate change.

For K-12 Schools

• Sustainable Oregon Schools Initiative: Full set of resources for Oregon K-12 schools to incorporate sustainability into their operations, teaching, and culture.

Link to more Take Action ideas:

Transportation | Energy & Buildings | Shopping and Waste
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