Co-benefits

Investments in Social Resilience Support Adaptation to COVID-19 Challenges

Investments in Social Resilience Support Adaptation to COVID-19 Challenges

California Strategic Growth Council

The COVID‑19 pandemic has exacerbated existing food insecurity in the Watts community in Los Angeles, where the Transformative Climate Communities Program in 2017 made a $33.25 million investment of California Climate Investment funds to implement the Watts Rising vision. To ensure continued access to fresh produce throughout the pandemic, the Watts Rising collaborative partners harnessed their existing virtual community engagement events as a platform to distribute food and critical public health information.

Adaptive Reuse Brings Affordable Housing, Walkability, and Community Arts Space to Santa Ana

Adaptive Reuse Brings Affordable Housing, Walkability, and Community Arts Space to Santa Ana

California Strategic Growth Council

In June 2020, artists, their families, and low‑income earners in Santa Ana began moving into new affordable homes funded in part by a $12 million award from California Climate Investments through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. In partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments, the Santa Ana Arts Collective development promotes sustainability and health through active transportation safety activities, supported by over .5 miles of bicycle facility improvements and 36 improved pedestrian crossings. The project also features a gallery space for resident and community artists, and Meta Housing is partnering with Western Community Housing to deliver on‑site adult education services.

Connecting a Coachella Valley Elementary School with Safe and Resilient Water Supplies

Connecting a Coachella Valley Elementary School with Safe and Resilient Water Supplies

California State Water Resources Control Board

Westside Elementary School in the Coachella Valley relied solely on well water for its drinking water. The well had an unfortunate history of both contamination and the inability to provide adequate water supplies to prevent fires. Thanks in part to a nearly $370,000 from California Climate Investments through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, these problems have been solved.

Wishing Tree Park Provides New Green Space in West Carson

Wishing Tree Park Provides New Green Space in West Carson

California Natural Resources Agency

One of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust’s most exciting parks currently under construction is the 8.5‑acre, multi‑benefit Wishing Tree Park located in unincorporated West Carson, Los Angeles County. This project has been in the works for decades, and thanks in part to a $2,500,000 grant from California Climate Investments through the Urban Greening Program the park will be opening to the public in late 2021.

High-Speed Rail Construction Prioritizes Jobs and Sustainability

High-Speed Rail Construction Prioritizes Jobs and Sustainability

California High-Speed Rail Authority

The High‑Speed Rail Authority is responsible for planning, designing, building and operating the first high‑speed rail in the nation. When complete, it will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours, providing a clean alternative to driving or flying. Funded in part by California Climate Investments, the project is already contributing to economic development and a cleaner environment, creating jobs, and preserving agricultural and protected lands.

Powering Organic Agriculture with Solar+Storage

California Energy Commission

Oya Organic Farms, an organic vegetable farm in Hollister, received a $76,446 grant from California Climate Investments through the Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program that, together with a 76 percent match from the farm, will finance the installation of solar panels to power an irrigation pump and storage/office building. Their new 27‑kilowatt solar system allows the farm to use zero‑emission electricity for their domestic well and re‑invest energy savings towards the farm. Furthermore, a standalone 6.4‑kilowatt solar system coupled with battery storage will power the off‑grid produce storage room and office on the farm.

California Climate Investments | Cap-and-Trade Dollars at Work