Transformative Climate Communities
Tracking groundbreaking community-led climate action
What: The California Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC) is one of the most innovative, comprehensive, and equitable experiments in community-scale climate action. Administered by the California Strategic Growth Council, TCC implementation grants empower communities most impacted by legacy pollution to design and implement projects to advance clean transportation, affordable housing, renewable energy, energy efficiency, urban greening, and more.
Why: By providing grants to historically disinvested communities, TCC empowers communities to choose and implement their vision, strategies, and projects – all with data-driven milestones and measurable outcomes.
Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI) Role: LCI developed an evaluation framework to track TCC progress and assess outcomes. We are now documenting groundbreaking progress in six communities: Fresno, Ontario, Stockton, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Northeast San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, and Watts.
Lessons learned are relevant for community-driven climate action in myriad other communities.
To replicate or verify our findings and methods, see LCI’s TCC Evaluation GitHub Repository for access to all the code developed for this evaluation.
Click here to read the personal stories of individuals who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of TCC.
To learn more about our work in Fresno, Ontario, and Watts, check out this video:
Green Together (Pacoima, Northeast San Fernando Valley)
With a $23 million award, Green Together works with residents to build a resilient community by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the local economy and improving public health in Pacoima & Sun Valley. @greentogether
Progress reports: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
Click here to read about people who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of Green Together.
Ontario Together
With a $33.25 million award, Ontario Together is a community-driven movement to achieve measurable and sustainable neighborhood transformation through innovative implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects. #OntarioTogether
Progress reports: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
Click here to read about people who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of Ontario Together.
South Los Angeles
The South LA Eco-Lab is receiving $35 million to transform South Los Angeles into a healthy, thriving neighborhood – one with lush green spaces, clean air, renewable energy infrastructure, and dynamic mobility options for pedestrians, bikers, and public transit.
This is a new initiative, so key accomplishments and progress reports are forthcoming.
Stockton Rising
With an $11 million award, Stockton Rising, a City-led program, aims to improve the environment and climate resilience of neighborhoods most impacted by climate change and poor environmental conditions. #StocktonRising
Progress reports: 2024, 2023, 2022
Click here to read about people who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of Stockton Rising.
Transform Fresno
Transform Fresno received $66.5 million to identify and implement investments that will catalyze economic and environmental transformation in Downtown, Chinatown, and Southwest Fresno. #TransformFresno
Progress reports: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
Click here to read about people who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of Transform Fresno.
Watts Rising
With a $33.25 million award, the Watts Rising Collaborative is implementing infrastructure projects to expand urban agriculture; access to healthy organic produce; provide more affordable and sustainable housing; increase low- and no-carbon transportation options; increase community green space; expand their tree canopy; and make their streets safer for walking and biking. @WattsRising
Progress reports: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
Click here to read about people who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of Watts Rising.
Team
- Principal Investigators: Jason Karpman, Megan Mullin
- Researchers: Elena Hernandez, Samantha Astudillo
- Graduate student collaborators: Emma French, Linda Mitchell
- Strategy and communications: Colleen Callahan, Lauren Dunlap, Mara Elana Burstein
Funding Acknowledgments
TCC is funded through California’s cap-and-trade program and administered by the California Strategic Growth Council.
Photo credits: Green Together, LCI; Ontario Together, Omnitrans; Stockton Rising, Erin Scott; Transform Fresno, Chris De León, Fresno Metro Ministry; Watts Rising, California Climate Investments
News & Media Mentions
Stockton Rising: A $35 million project for a greener city (Stocktonia 12/17/24)
Report: Transformative Climate Communities Program Is Transforming People’s Lives (Streetsblog Cal 7/31/24)
Community-driven climate action spurs economic benefits (LCI 7/22/24)
This State Program In Underserved Communities Is Becoming A Nationwide Model For Climate Action (LAist, NPR affiliate 5/31/23)
Investments in Local Climate Action Empower People on the Ground (LCI 5/31/23)
Climate Solutions from the Ground Up: The Importance of Place-Based Approaches (New Security Beat 8/16/22)
Watts Leads on Local Solutions to the Climate Crisis (Streetsblog Cal 6/17/22)
California Is Making Big, Hyperlocal Investments to Fight Climate Change — and It’s Working (LCI 6/15/22)
TCCs Build Resilience During Pandemic (LCI 5/26/21)
UCLA Helps Launch California’s TCC Program (LCI 4/1/20)
Our Latest Progress Reports
Green Together – 2024 Progress Report
Ontario Together – 2024 Progress Report
Stockton Rising – 2024 Progress Report
Transform Fresno – 2024 Progress Report
Watts Rising – 2024 Progress Report
Click here to read personal stories of individuals who have shaped — or been shaped by — the implementation of TCC.