Certification Actions

Below is the list of actions that are part of the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification program. Click on the pledge elements (PE) and action names to expand the listings and learn more. Actions tagged with "Competitive Funding Available" in the list below tend to be eligible for funding under the DEC CSC Grant Program.

December 17, 2021: The most recent round of updates to the certification actions is complete. The four-page list of the names of the CSC certification actions is known as the action checklist. The CEC/CSC crosswalk table lists the equivalent actions between CSC and the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities program (CEC).

To download the current (December 2021) versions of these two documents, click the following links: PDF of the December 2021 Action Checklist, Excel File of the December 2021 Action Checklist, December 2021 CEC/CSC Crosswalk

[To download the old (April 2021) versions of these two documents, click the following links: PDF of the Old Action Checklist, Excel File of the Old 2021 Action Checklist, Old CEC/CSC Crosswalk ]

Search Actions

The Action Totals box at right will also reflect only those actions selected. Click on the Clear Search button to return to the full action listing.

1. Build a climate-smart community.
- PE1 Action: CSC Task Force
  
  20 Points
  
  Bronze Mandatory Silver Mandatory
- PE1 Action: CSC Coordinator
  
  10 Points
  
  Bronze Mandatory Silver Mandatory
- PE1 Action: National/Regional Climate Program
  
  3 Points
- PE1 Action: Partnerships with Other Entities
  
  3 Points
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
2. Inventory emissions, set goals, and plan for climate action.
- PE2 Action: Government Operations GHG Inventory
  
  16 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - Competitive funding available
- PE2 Action: Community GHG Inventory
  
  16 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - Competitive funding available
- PE2 Action: Government Operations Climate Action Plan
  
  12 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 12, 16
  - Competitive funding available
- PE2 Action: Community Climate Action Plan
  
  16 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - Competitive funding available
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
3. Decrease energy use.
- PE3 Action: Government Building Energy Audits
  
  8 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 8, 10, 12, 16
- PE3 Action: Interior Lighting Upgrades
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- PE3 Action: HVAC Upgrades
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- PE3 Action: Water-efficient Fixtures
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4
- PE3 Action: Building Energy Management System
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- PE3 Action: Benchmarking - Municipal Buildings
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4
- PE3 Action: Clean Energy Upgrades
  
  10 Points
- PE3 Action: Green Building Standard for Government Buildings
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 3, 5
- PE3 Action: Green Building Certification
  
  15 Points
- PE3 Action: Fleet Inventory
  
  4 Points
  - Competitive funding available
- PE3 Action: Fleet Efficiency Policy
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 3
  - Competitive funding available
- PE3 Action: Fleet Rightsizing
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3
- PE3 Action: Advanced Vehicles
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
- PE3 Action: LED Street Lights
  
  4 Points
  - This action has variable points: 4, 8, 12
- PE3 Action: LED Traffic Signals
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4
- PE3 Action: Outdoor Lighting Reduction
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 3, 4
- PE3 Action: Outdoor Lighting Upgrades
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4
- PE3 Action: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4
- PE3 Action: Financing Mechanism for Government Energy Projects
  
  5 Points
- PE3 Action: Waste & Energy Provisions in Government Contracts
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3
- PE3 Action: Incentives for Employee Carpooling & Transit
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3
- PE3 Action: Energy Code Enforcement Training
  
  5 Points
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
4. Shift to clean, renewable energy.
- PE4 Action: Green Power Procurement Policy
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4
- PE4 Action: Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3, 4, 5
- PE4 Action: Renewable Energy Certificates
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 5, 12
- PE4 Action: Heat Pumps
  
  9 Points
  - This action has variable points: 9 — 22
- PE4 Action: Solar Energy Installation
  
  9 Points
  - This action has variable points: 9, 14, 17, 20
- PE4 Action: Power Purchase Agreement for Renewables
  
  9 Points
  - This action has variable points: 9, 14, 17, 19, 20
- PE4 Action: Wind Energy Installation
  
  9 Points
  - This action has variable points: 9, 14, 17, 20
- PE4 Action: Wood Pellet Installation
  
  6 Points
  - This action has variable points: 6, 11, 14, 16, 17
- PE4 Action: County-hosted Trainings
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
5. Use climate-smart materials management.
- PE5 Action: Refrigerant Management Program
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3 — 20
  - Competitive funding available
- PE5 Action: Organics Management Plan
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2 — 16
  - Competitive funding available
- PE5 Action: Government Solid Waste Audit
  
  2 Points
- PE5 Action: Recycling Bins in Government Buildings
  
  3 Points
- PE5 Action: Organic Waste Program for Government Buildings
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3
- PE5 Action: WasteWise Program
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2
- PE5 Action: Construction & Demolition Waste Policy
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 6
  - Competitive funding available
- PE5 Action: Reuse Programs
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 7
- PE5 Action: Recycling Program for Public Places & Events
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 6
- PE5 Action: Waste Reduction Education Campaign
  
  2 Points
- PE5 Action: Community Repair
  
  4 Points
- PE5 Action: Compost Bins for Residents
  
  2 Points
- PE5 Action: Residential Organic Waste Program
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2 — 22
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
6. Implement climate-smart land use.
- PE6 Action: Comprehensive Plan with Sustainability Elements
  
  3 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 3 — 21
  - Competitive funding available
- PE6 Action: Smart Growth Policies
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 10
- PE6 Action: Unified Solar Permit
  
  5 Points
- PE6 Action: NYStretch Energy Code
  
  10 Points
- PE6 Action: Green Building Ordinance
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 6
- PE6 Action: Policies for Local Food Systems
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4
- PE6 Action: GreenLITES
  
  6 Points
  - This action has variable points: 6, 9, 12, 15
- PE6 Action: Green Parking Lot Policies
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1, 2, 3, 4
- PE6 Action: Complete Streets Policy
  
  4 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - Competitive funding available
- PE6 Action: Planning for Biking and Walking
  
  3 Points
  - Competitive funding available
- PE6 Action: Infrastructure for Biking and Walking
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2 — 12
- PE6 Action: Alternative-fuel Infrastructure
  
  4 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 4 — 18
- PE6 Action: Access to Public Transit
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 9
- PE6 Action: Safe Routes to School
  
  3 Points
- PE6 Action: Traffic Calming
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3, 4, 6, 7
- PE6 Action: Natural Resources Inventory
  
  8 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 8, 10
  - Competitive funding available
- PE6 Action: Local Forestry Program
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 10
- PE6 Action: Zoning for Protection of Natural Areas
  
  4 Points
  - This action has variable points: 4, 6
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
7. Enhance community resilience to climate change.
- PE7 Action: Climate Vulnerability Assessment
  
  4 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 4, 8, 16
  - Competitive funding available
- PE7 Action: Evaluate Policies for Climate Resilience
  
  6 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - Competitive funding available
- PE7 Action: Climate Adaptation Plan
  
  3 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 3 — 15
  - Competitive funding available
- PE7 Action: Climate-resilient Hazard Mitigation Plan
  
  4 Points
- PE7 Action: Heat Emergency Plan
  
  6 Points
  - Competitive funding available
- PE7 Action: Shade Structures Policy
  
  4 Points
- PE7 Action: Cooling Centers
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 9
- PE7 Action: Conserve Natural Areas
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 21
- PE7 Action: Watershed-based Flood Mitigation Plan
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 5
- PE7 Action: Design Flood Elevation & Flood Maps
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2 — 14
- PE7 Action: Freeboard Policies
  
  4 Points
  - This action has variable points: 4 — 19
- PE7 Action: Green Infrastructure
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 14
- PE7 Action: Culverts & Dams
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2 — 24
- PE7 Action: Riparian Buffers
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 6
- PE7 Action: Strategic Relocation
  
  4 Points
  - This action has variable points: 4, 7, 8, 11
- PE7 Action: Nature-based Shorelines
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 8, 10, 12
- PE7 Action: National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3, 5, 7, 9
- PE7 Action: Watershed Plan for Water Quality
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 6
- PE7 Action: Source Water Protection
  
  6 Points
  - This action has variable points: 6, 10
- PE7 Action: Water Conservation & Reuse
  
  2 Points
  - This action has variable points: 2, 4, 6
- PE7 Action: Water-smart Landscaping
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 6
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
8. Support a green innovation economy.
- PE8 Action: Green Jobs Training
  
  3 Points
- PE8 Action: Green Vendor Fairs
  
  2 Points
- PE8 Action: Green Economic Development Plans
  
  4 Points
- PE8 Action: Farmers’ Markets
  
  3 Points
- PE8 Action: Buy Local/Buy Green Campaign
  
  2 Points
- PE8 Action: Brownfield Clean-up & Redevelopment
  
  1 Point
  - This action has variable points: 1 — 18
- PE8 Action: Incentives for Green Businesses
  
  4 Points
- PE8 Action: Benchmarking - Large Private Buildings
  
  12 Points
- PE8 Action: PACE Financing
  
  7 Points
  - This action has variable points: 7, 8, 15
- PE8 Action: Community Choice Aggregation
  
  12 Points
  - This action has variable points: 12 — 33
- PE8 Action: Rooftop Solarize Campaign
  
  3 Points
- PE8 Action: Community Campaigns
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3, 6, 9, 12
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
9. Inform and inspire the public.
- PE9 Action: Climate Change Education & Engagement
  
  4 Points
  
  Bronze Priority Silver Priority
  - This action has variable points: 4, 8
- PE9 Action: Energy Reduction Campaign
  
  5 Points
- PE9 Action: Climate-related Public Events
  
  3 Points
- PE9 Action: Local Climate Action Website
  
  3 Points
- PE9 Action: Social Media
  
  3 Points
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
10. Engage in an evolving process of climate action.
- PE10 Action: GHG Tracking System
  
  5 Points
- PE10 Action: Annual Progress Report
  
  4 Points
- PE10 Action: Updates to Strategies & Plans
  
  4 Points
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
11. Innovation
- Innovation: New Innovative Actions
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3 — 18
- Innovation: Innovative Approaches to Existing CSC Actions
  
  5 Points
  - This action has variable points: 5, 10
No actions in this category match the search criteria.
12. Performance
- Performance: Reduce GHGs from Government Facilities
  
  15 Points
  - This action has variable points: 15 — 45
- Performance: Reduce GHGs from Government Vehicles
  
  15 Points
  - This action has variable points: 15 — 45
- Performance: Reduce Solid Waste from Government Operations
  
  3 Points
  - This action has variable points: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10
No actions in this category match the search criteria.

Certification Criteria


Mandatory	2	2
Priority	3	6
Points	120	300
Pledge Elements	4	7

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Pledge Elements
Total Actions
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