Reflect “On the Ground” Conditions:
We take the time to become familiar with the critical technical information and organizational needs of our clients. In addition, we understand the decision making process for both private and public organizations. Together, this knowledge forms a basis for benchmarking on the ground conditions and guiding organizations through their planning process
Utilize widely-adopted methodologies:
Organizations need efficient and effective results that are both specifically adapted to their needs and congruent with approaches used by other jurisdictions nationwide. To align with common standards and limit cost, EcoShift recommends using ICLEI’s Climate Action Plan Template for streamlined and comprehensive Climate Action Plan development. Moreover, to ensure consistency with current sustainability best practices for adaptation and mitigation implementation measures, EcoShift frequently uses the Institute for Local Government Best Practices Framework. EcoShift is intimately familiar with these resource templates and has been asked to speak publicly about their implementation at the California Local Government Commission’s Annual Forum and ICLEI-produced webinars. This knowledge allow us to structure Plans to match the existing GHG inventory categories that EcoShift has already developed using the standard ICLEI GHG inventory template.
EcoShift also includes new innovations and strategic approaches that we have designed and implemented in other organizations that support reaching climate action goals. The resulting deliverables are strategic and dynamic documents guide organizations advance sustainability efforts through a specific Plan horizon and beyond.
Offer PhD-level technical expertise.
Our team’s deep and broad background in climate change policy and economics mean that the best insights and skills will be at the our clients’ fingertips. EcoShift has provided technical analyses for nation-wide climate change assessments (Keep It In the Ground legislation), state-wide methodologies (State of California), and internationally accepted carbon offset rules (Climate Action Reserve). We are regularly called on to provide expert witness testimony on energy policy at the California Public Utilities Commission. This high level of technical expertise add san important layer of value and robustness to this scope of work, ensuring that the deliverables meet a high level of rigor. Our work to develop and define methodologies for techno-economic analysis for climate action means that organizations can be assured that recommendations will be based on the best information and methods available.
Design and Implement Innovative Approaches.
EcoShift has worked with numerous jurisdictions and organizations to design and implement innovative approaches to achieve climate goals; hence we are uniquely positioned to create actionable results. For example, EcoShift is at the forefront of developing Carbon Funds to help organizations collect and allocate funds for climate action. Our solar technical assistance programs with local jurisdictions have resulted in multiple large-scale solar installments to support climate goals. Our climate action scenario analysis planning tool won an Innovation award from the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference. Climate Action and Sustainability Plans must be structured to be actionable, and because EcoShift works both on the planning and implementation sides of this work, we will deliver results that lead to innovative change.
Developed by EcoShift as part of Watsonville’s first Climate Action Plan, the Watsonville Carbon Fund Program, adopted by ordinance, went into effect in 2015 as a mechanism to incentivize clean energy buildings and fund greenhouse gas reduction projects.