Transformative Climate Communities (TCC)

Tracking groundbreaking community-led climate action

The Transformative Climate Communities Program may be the most innovative, comprehensive, and equitable experiment in community-scale climate action ever. By granting over $200 million, TCC empowers underinvested communities to choose and implement their vision, strategies, and projects – all with data-driven milestones and measurable outcomes.

Funded by the state’s cap-and-trade program and administered by the California Strategic Growth Council, TCC implementation grants empower communities impacted by legacy pollution to design and implement projects to advance clean transportation, affordable housing, renewable energy, energy efficiency, urban greening, and more.

Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI) developed a plan to evaluate TCC outcomes and is now documenting groundbreaking progress in five communities: Fresno, Ontario, Stockton, and the Northeast San Fernando Valley and Watts neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

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.

Green Together: Key Accomplishments as of June 2022

With a $23 million award, Green Together is investing in mobility, prosperity, energy, and urban greening because safe streets, clean air, cool shade, and equitable opportunity make Pacoima and Sun Valley healthier and resilient. @greentogether

Progress reports: 2023, 2022, 2021

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: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Stockton Rising: Key Accomplishments as of June 2022

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: 2023, 2022

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: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

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: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

LCI research team:

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