San Francisco, CA has completed its issuance of US $2m in community climate grants with final funding awarded to 13 projects that support its climate action plan and its goal of achieving zero waste and net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2040.
“San Francisco has made tremendous progress towards meeting our climate goals, but we know there is still a lot of work ahead to reduce emissions by 61 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2040,” said mayor London Breed. “Community partners and non-profits are vital to the City’s success, especially with our climate work, and so this next round of funding will play a big part in the work we are doing to protect our beautiful city and do our part in the fight against climate change.”
The 13 projects chosen emphasize environmental justice efforts to transition away from natural gas and meaningful community partnerships to embrace zero waste practices. They include:
- Emerald Cities Collaborative and Poder – The Emerald Cities Collaborative is developing a workforce development opportunity to support high road contractors in the design and implementation of a building electrification project. They are partnering with Poder, who will be primarily organizing in Latinx communities, and will conduct outreach and community engagement to increase visibility in electrification efforts;
- San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility – will demonstrate building electrification efforts with the installation of a new heat pump system at a community center and the distribution of induction cooktops and cookware to local families;
- Agricultural Institute of Marin – will pilot the distribution of 20,000 reusable cotton mesh bags in an effort to reduce single-use plastic produce bags at two of its farmer’s markets;
- Asian Pacific American Community Center – will conduct recycling and composting outreach to residents in the area;
- Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco – plans to install water refill stations at their club houses and deliver youth-led zero waste training on the importance of reducing waste and promoting the use of BYO (bring your own reusable) water bottles;
- Farming Hope – aims to recover 20,000 pounds of food per year from their culinary training program;
- Garden for the Environment – provides a gardening educator training program and provides free backyard compost education to residents;
- Replate – a nonprofit that aims to reduce food waste and food insecurity by using food donation matching software to connect excess food to those in need;
- SF Market – a wholesale product market in San Francisco that aims to recover one million pounds of healthy produce annually and coordinate the distribution of excess food to community groups;
- SCRAP – a creative reuse center plans to divert 500 tons of materials from landfill and provide 600 creative reuse classes and free teacher workshops and giveaways;
- SF New Deal – offers small businesses technical assistance and grants to help in the transition from single-use disposable foodware to reusable foodware; and
- UCSF Health – will install robotic waste sorting machines to reduce refuse contamination at two of their campuses.
“These grants will empower environmental justice communities to lead zero waste projects,” said Tyrone Jue, acting director for SF Environment. “Changing our consumption habits can be a difficult process and will require community conversations and education. These grantees have demonstrated commitment and passion towards sustainable practices, and we are excited to see the impact they will have as partners in the implementation of our bold climate goals.”