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 (Pacoima, Northeast San Fernando Valley)
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
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: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
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
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: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
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: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
LCI research team:
- Principal Investigators: Jason Karpman, Megan Mullin
- Researchers: Elena Hernandez, Samantha Astudillo, Colleen Callahan
- Graduate Student Collaborators: Emma French, Linda Mitchell
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
This State Program In Underserved Communities Is Becoming A Nationwide Model For Climate Action (LAist, NPR affiliate May 31, 2023)
Investments in Local Climate Action Empower People on the Ground (LCI May 31, 2023)
Climate Solutions from the Ground Up: The Importance of Place-Based Approaches (New Security Beat August 16, 2022)
Watts Leads on Local Solutions to the Climate Crisis (Streets Blog Cal June 17, 2022)
California Is Making Big, Hyperlocal Investments to Fight Climate Change — and It’s Working (LCI June 15, 2022)
Transformative Climate Communities Build Resilience During Pandemic (LCI May 26, 2021)
UCLA Helps Launch California’s Transformative Climate Communities Program (LCI April 1, 2020)
Our Latest Progress Reports
Green Together – 2023 Progress Report
Ontario Together – 2023 Progress Report
Stockton Rising – 2023 Progress Report
Transform Fresno – 2023 Progress Report
Watts Rising – 2023 Progress Report