Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

In 2020, China announced dual carbon goals to facilitate carbon emissions peaking before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. ISC launched the China Deep Decarbonization and Equitable Long-term Strategies Alliance (China DELTA) program, engaging leaders from three Chinese cities in a pilot, and implementing a near-term Climate Action Plan and a long-term decarbonization roadmap. While undertaking ISC‚ trademark needs/wants assessment with the cities, staff identified a critical knowledge gap among participants in integrating equity in planning processes. This gap made it difficult to design tactical preventive measures to minimize negative social impacts from decarbonization (e.g., job losses caused by phasing out polluting industries). Responding to this need, ISC developed the SIA tool. This tool enables the creation of a collaborative space among stakeholders, including disinvested communities. The SIA indicator system applies six social dimensions, including green jobs, public service, energy affordability, efficient transportation, public health, and governance.

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How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses), Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)

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Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Without intentional equity-centered analysis, climate mitigation efforts being designed and implemented in cities and industries to achieve carbon neutrality are likely to disproportionately impact and further harm low-income communities. However, a just transition offers significant opportunities to reduce social inequities. The SIA tool promotes social equity and supports the inclusion of typically marginalized groups. This inclusivity will bolster the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of climate policies and programs. 

This powerful planning mechanism strengthens and embeds social equity in cities‚ long-term climate strategies and action plans. Diverse stakeholders can use the indicators to assess their city‚ baseline status and the needed equity elements of their plans. Planners can also determine social consequences that may result from decarbonization approaches and policies. Use of the SIA tool can 1) prevent the deepening of existing social inequities, 2) promote the development of green industries, 3) facilitate the creation of targeted and differentiated policies to address imbalances, and 4) improve livelihoods across demographics. For example, SIA indicators consider affordable energy-efficient housing, accessibility to green areas, inclusive governance, and just transition to green jobs. Through purposeful, and proactive planning aided by the SIA tool, stakeholders undertaking the transition to a carbon-neutral future will not leave anyone behind while protecting the environment.

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Mission Statement:

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is an international non-governmental organization with a mission to create, implement, and scale equitable climate change mitigation and resilience solutions at local and regional levels, with a deep understanding of and commitment to communities that face the greatest impacts. We partner with frontline organizations, subnational governments, and the private sector to co-create programs that support disinvested communities, women, and people experiencing poverty who comprise the global majority. Our work spans themes of decarbonization, supply chain manufacturing sustainability, and community resilience across the U.S. and Asia (specifically, China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand). The focus of this application is a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Tool developed for and deployed in three Chinese cities ‚ Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Changsha - that ISC is readying for worldwide application.

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