Local Government's Role

The Climate Action Plan serves as the foundation for Boone and Winnebago Counties' future climate resiliency initiatives. However, this plan is only the first step in regional climate resiliency. The next step is to implement the recommendations outlined in the plan, which requires leadership and commitment from our local municipalities and counties.

What's Being Done?

Below are a list of actions our local government has taken in recent years to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. These actions are categorized by topic to align with the goals of the R1 Climate Action Plan. *This is not a comprehensive list - it is still being updated with initiatives.

GHG Inventory

Housing

Brownfield Revitalization

  • Rockford Brownfield Cleanup Grants - federal grants to clean up contaminated properties (“brownfields”), including Colman Yards and South Main Street Rail Yards Area.

Transportation

Solar

Weatherization

Electric Aggregation

  • Rockford Electric Aggregation Program - Program where the city negotiates electric rates and options on behalf of residents/small businesses; aims to offer cost-effective, sustainable energy

Access to Nature

  • R1 Greenways Plan - promoting a network of shared-use paths and trails that connect people to nature.

Waste Assessment

Groundwater Resources

Stormwater & Flooding

Water Quality

Next Steps: Implementing the Climate Action Plan

Successful implementation of the Climate Action Plan is dependent on regional collaboration and community support within Boone and Winnebago counties. Below is a list actions pulled from the CAP that rely on leadership from our local government to implement over the next 25 years.

  • Reduce Emissions & Improve Air Quality

    • Increase miles of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
    • Develop carbon offset initiatives and programs.
    • Implement low-VOC cleaning, painting, and paving practices in municipal operations.
    • Establish an electric lawn mower rebate program.
    • Establish policies to meet Illinois Department of Public Health Indoor Air quality guidelines.

    Climate Action Plan: Strategies 1.1 & 1.2 

  • Promote Climate-Resilient Development

    • Adopt resilient design standards.
    • Assess the resiliency of existing infrastructure to withstand climate impacts.
    • Reduce urban sprawl through infill and mixed-use development.
    • Revise zoning ordinances to allow urban agriculture.
    • Integrate green infrastructure into impervious surfaces.
    • Revise zoning codes to encourage shared parking agreements.
    • Address sidewalks, shared-use paths, and bicycle network gaps.

    Climate Action Plan: Strategies 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 

  • Improve Energy Resilience

    • Encourage the use of heating and cooling energy efficiency initiatives.
    • Establish partnerships that increase the resiliency and reliability of the energy grid system.
    • Diversify, incentivize, and expand energy supply and storage.
    • Update zoning codes to include clean energy or “green” standards.
    • Identify funding opportunities that advance clean energy initiatives.

    Climate Action Plan: Strategies 3.1 & 3.2 

  • Sustainably Manage Natural & Working Lands

    • Protect ecologically significant areas from development and land-use change.
    • Provide educational trainings and opportunities for preservation and conservation.
    • Connect landscapes with greenways and protect natural corridors.
    • Revise local ordinances to support native conservation practices and biodiversity.
    • Increase habitat restoration, plant dispersal, and invasive species management.

    Climate Action Plan: Strategies 4.1 & 4.2 

  • Promote Sustainable Waste Management

    • Increase availability and accessibility of recycling and composting services.
    • Install waste-to-energy technology at solid waste plants.
    • Create a channel for regular communication on local solid waste issues, targeted materials, needs, and opportunities.
    • Assist communities and businesses with waste audits.

    Climate Action Plan Strategies: 5.1, 5.2, & 5.3 

  • Conserve & Protect Water Resources

    • Implement stormwater best management practices in areas prone to flooding.
    • Increase water quality monitoring efforts.
    • Model and monitor groundwater conditions.
    • Adopt codes that protect surface and groundwater from runoff and contamination.
    • Incorporate drought-tolerant plants into water conservation and landscaping ordinances.
    • Increase water storage capacity and groundwater replenishment through aquifer storage, recovery, and recharge.

    Climate Action Plan: Strategies 6.1, 6.2, & 6.3