ICLEI USA Commons

All around the world, local governments and cities are developing and implementing policies to decarbonize the built environment – from incentives for building retrofits to regulations mandating heat pumps and renewable energy – to achieve their net zero goals. Yet, as these policies are rolled out, social impacts vary considerably: some initiatives are helping those most in need while others are exacerbating inequality.

This resource outlines six key tools which local governments can leverage to tackle inequality as well as reduce carbon emissions, bringing everyone on board and thereby accelerating the green and just transition. For each tool, the resource provides policy recommendations and practical examples from other local governments and cities around the world.

This resource was published by ICLEI World Secretariat in 2023.