Agencies administering California Climate Investment Programs must use the Funding Guidelines with the resources provided on this page to develop effective programs and demonstrate how they are fulfilling program requirements. Resources on this page include quantification methodologies and calculator tools for estimating greenhouse gas emissions reductions and co-benefits, benefit assessment tools for determining benefits to priority populations, and reporting templates for reporting outcomes.
Quantification, Benefits, and Reporting Materials
Search by project type, program, or agency to view applicable materials
New: CARB released a pre-recorded tutorial of the Round 9 Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Calculator Tool. Watch the tutorial.
Select a tool to learn about its purpose
Priority Populations Benefit Assessment Tools
Whenever possible, California Climate Investments projects should have direct, meaningful, and assured benefits to priority populations. The benefit assessment tool is used to help decide if a project benefits a priority population. There are different benefit assessment tools for different types of projects. For complex projects, there may be more than one that is a good fit.
California Climate Investments recognizes a project as benefiting a priority population if it meets one option in each of the three steps of the benefit assessment tool:
Step 1: Identify the Priority Population. The project must be located within a community identified as disadvantaged or low-income, or directly benefit residents of a low-income household;
Step 2: Identify a Need. The project must identify an important community and household need for the priority population identified in Step 1; and
Step 3: Provide a Benefit. The project must provide at least one of the direct, meaningful, and assured benefits listed in Step 3. The benefit must be to the priority population identified in Step 1 and must directly address the need identified in Step 2.
Note: All administering agencies, project recipients, and others are to use the new priority populations benefit assessment tools for reporting benefits from projects selected through solicitations released on or after February 28, 2025. For projects selected through solicitations released before February 28, 2025, either the benefit assessment tool or the benefit criteria table may be used. Access benefit criteria tables and archived reporting materials.
Who uses them?
The tools are primarily used by administering agencies to report project information to California Climate Investments. Though, in some cases, applicants and funding recipients also use them. For instance, some agencies ask applicants to include the tools in their applications.
Why are they important?
It is inherently important to prioritize and maximize benefits to priority populations, as they are the most impacted and affected by climate change. To ensure these communities and households are supported by California Climate Investments, statute requires that 35% of investment dollars are allocated to priority populations. The benefit assessment tool helps us understand how projects are benefiting priority populations.
Per SB 535 and AB 1550, California Climate Investments must be allocated as follows:
At least 25% of funds must be invested in projects that are located within and benefiting disadvantaged communities
At least 5% must be invested in projects located within and benefiting individuals in low-income communities or benefiting low-income households statewide
At least 5% must be invested in projects located within and benefiting individuals within low-income communities, or low-income households, that are outside of a disadvantaged community.
Quantification Methodologies and Calculator Tools
Quantification methodologies and calculator tools are developed to:
Support calculating the estimated GHG emissions reductions and applicable co-benefits for individual projects
Apply to the project types proposed for funding
Provide uniform methodologies that can be applied statewide and are accessible by all applicants
Use existing and proven tools or methodologies, where available
Include the expected period of time for when GHG emissions reductions and co-benefits will be achieved
Identify the appropriate data needed to calculate GHG emissions reductions or co-benefits
Quantification methodologies and calculator tools are specific to each project type and may be updated over time. In addition to GHG emissions reductions, calculator tools may include estimates of certain co-benefits (e.g., renewable energy generated, trees planted). Providing estimates of a variety of co-benefits within the calculator tools can assist in project selection and reporting.
Reporting Templates
Accountability and transparency are essential elements for all California Climate Investments. CARB provides reporting templates for administering agencies to report project status and estimated benefits.