Climate Smart Committee – Town of Claverack, NY

Welcome to Claverack’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) committee:

The Claverack Climate Smart Communities Committee was formed by Town Council Resolution #38 on August 13, 2020. It was resolved that the Town of Claverack, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate, adopts the New York State Climate Smart pledge, which comprises the following ten elements:

Build a climate-smart community.
Inventory emissions, set goals, and plan for climate action.
Decrease energy use.
Shift to clean, renewable energy.
Use climate-smart materials management.
Implement climate-smart land use.
Enhance community resilience to climate change.
Support a green innovation economy.
Inform and inspire the public.
Engage in an evolving process of climate action.

More information on the NYS Climate Smart Communities Pledge and full Program is available at:
https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/certification-overview/certification-framework/

Monthly Meetings

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) committee typically meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6 PM at the Claverack Free Library or virtually as the need dictates.

Leadership

The Council also appointed John Bradley as the volunteer Climate Smart Coordinator.

In December 2021, the Town Board established the CSC Task Force and further defined the roles of the Coordinator with Resolution # 39 of 2021. To view the Resolution, click here.

The committee is made up of volunteers and is advisory to the Town Council. The committee takes on projects based on the opportunities and needs in the community (‘actions’ is the term used in the Certification Framework). The Committee and Council consider and select actions through a Climate Action Planning (CAP) process. There are over 130 actions elaborated under the 10 Pledge Elements. The Committee strives to complete actions and acquire ‘certification points’ to attain various certification levels. Bronze certification is Claverack’s immediate goal so as to enhance the town’s competitiveness in applying for Climate Smart grants. Some actions qualify for NYSERDA awards or grants. Many actions involve energy savings and thus reduce costs to the community, and also increase the community’s sustainability

The success of Claverack’s CSC depends on volunteers. Volunteering is rewarding at many levels – the satisfaction of helping to mitigate climate change, of working with neighbors, of improving the quality of life in the community and of deeper learning about the challenges of a changing climate.

To volunteer or learn more, contact us at: [email protected]

Please visit the Claverack Climate Smart Committee’s webpage at: https://www.climatesmartclaverack.com/at-a-glance