Candidate Resources

What does it mean to Run On Climate at the local level?

The climate movement needs to demand more of candidates than just platitudes. How can you tell a climate champion from a poser? What does it mean to Run On Climate?

Below we list sample policy positions that should be expected of candidates for local office who claim they are strong on climate. Note that these sample platform items name specific policies the candidate is committing to working on if they are elected. That way, if the candidate is elected, they can be held accountable to those specific commitments that they made.

We encourage local campaigns to use any or all elements to use this platform!

We encourage climate activists to ask candidates about these items! If you are not satisfied with their answers, maybe it’s time to run a true climate champion for local office (and maybe that person is you!?).

Group of people wearing face masks standing outdoors, promoting Bryan Odegai for local election, with campaign flyers in their hands, under blue and white pennant banners and string lights.

Lets see this in your platform.

Running on climate?

A large wind turbine on a hill overlooking an urban city with numerous buildings and streets, with mountains in the distance.

Commitment to a Fossil Free Future.

Any candidate who is serious about the climate crisis needs to articulate the need to completely end fossil fuel use. Having a municipally-adopted emissions reduction commitment — and ideally an action plan, framework, and ongoing monitoring to track progress towards that goal — is helpful in enacting bold climate policies to keep the community on track.

• Commitment to eliminating fossil fuel use in all sectors by 2035
• Intermediate reduction commitments (e.g. 30% reduction below 2005 levels by 2025)
• Commission a (city/town)-specific roadmap to eliminating fossil fuel use
• Annual emission reduction requirements
• Annual inventory and reporting of emissions
• Creating/empowering a subcommittee or independent body responsible for ensuring emissions reductions
• Requiring city department heads and/or other city leaders to incorporate emission reduction measures into their decision making and oversight
• Ensuring City procurement (especially for City buildings and vehicles) is fossil free
“I support eliminating fossil fuel extraction and use in (city/town) by 2035”
“I support eliminating fossil fuel extraction and use in (city/town) by 2035”
“I support 100% renewable electricity in (city/town) by 2028”
“I support carbon-free transportation in (city/town) by 2032”
“I support decarbonizing all buildings in (city/town) by 2035”

A green bicycle lane on a city street with white bicycle and arrow markings, shaded by tree branches.

Sustainable Transportation.

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Any candidate who is serious about climate policy needs to have concrete policy proposals to reduce transportation emissions if elected.

• Expanding bike and pedestrian infrastructure
• Eliminating minimum parking requirements for new construction
• Imposing or lowering maximum parking allowed in new construction
• Requiring electric vehicle charging stations in new developments
• Fare-free public transportation
• Expansion of public transportation
• Subsidies for electric vehicles and/or electric bicycles
• City support/facilitation of bikeshare and carshare systems
• Transportation demand management requirements
• Municipal fleet policy that requires EVs whenever possible
“I support electrifying all vehicles in (city/town) by 2035”
“I support increasing safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure”
“I support vision zero (eliminating traffic deaths)”
“I support increasing the number of trips taken by foot, bike, and transit by 50% by 2030”

High-rise apartment buildings with many windows and balconies against a cloudy sky.

Building Decarbonization.

Buildings are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions and are typically highly regulated at the local level. Newly constructed buildings should be nearly or completely fossil-free, and existing buildings need to be decarbonized in the coming years.

• Banning natural gas hookups for new construction
• Requiring net zero emissions for new construction
• Requiring energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings
• Requiring emissions reductions in existing buildings
• Rapidly decarbonizing city buildings
“I support eliminating fossil fuel use in buildings by 2035”

Aerial view of multiple solar panel arrays arranged in a grid pattern on grassy land.

Electricity.

While the electric sector has made major strides towards renewables, the generation of electricity is still one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments have a role to play in decarbonizing electricity — particularly when they own or control their community’s electric provider.

• If electricity is municipally owned/controlled: stronger requirements for renewable electricity supply (e.g. 50% by 2026 and 100% by 2030)
• Municipalization of electricity (only possible in some municipalities)
• Community choice aggregation (only possible in some states)
• Resolution urging the community’s electric provider and/or the State government to accelerate the shift to 100% renewable electricity
• Solar development on municipal buildings/land
• Solar requirements for new construction
• Easy, fast, affordable permitting for solar development
“I support 100% renewable electricity by 2028.”
“I support municipal control/ownership of our electricity.

Know any climate champions running, or thinking about running, for local office? Thinking of running yourself? Contact us!

Fortunately, Run On Climate is not the only organization that works to elect climate champions. For additional resources and support, check out: Lead Locally, Climate Cabinet, Run for Something, Sunrise Movement, 350, Jane PAC and others!