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This simple definition of Climate Prosperity - Green Savings, Green Opportunity, Green Talent - has caught on across the country. Pilot efforts are proving to be both inspirational and practical. Climate Prosperity, Inc. hopes to assist those efforts and expand the number of climate prosperity strategies in other regions across the country.
A strategic framework has been developed as a resource to current and emerging regional climate prosperity efforts. Based on their work in the Silicon Valley Greenprint, funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and a subsequent national scan of climate prosperity strategies nationwide, Collaborative Economics has developed the Climate Prosperity, Inc. strategy framework (see figure below). The framework will be used as part of customized technical assistance for pilot regions.
The regional climate prosperity framework includes demand and supply components that together produce multiple economic and environmental benefits:
The demand component involves building the regional market for clean and green products and services. Activities that create regional demand—from standards to incentives to regulatory policies—are the most common climate prosperity strategies to date.
The supply component involves growing the regional base of clean and green industries. While a region can increase its market for clean and green products and services, this demand can be met by local firms or firms based outside the region. The more that regional demand is met by local firms, the more economic benefits accrue to the region.
When a region actively encourages both clean and green demand and supply, it can maximize its environmental and economic benefits: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy savings, expanding business opportunities, and growing green talent and jobs.
To complete the framework, an organizational component provides the "glue" to connect and align both demand and supply strategies, and track economic and environmental benefits. A regional "climate prosperity council" can take many forms—but should reflect the unique characteristics of each region.