CC-1-2. Support capacity of neighborhood and community groups to implement climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. Every community is different in how it affects and is affected by climate change. To accom - modate these differences and to empower com - munities to take action, the City should provide resources and support for neighborhoods that wish to tackle climate change directly. Options could include providing resource guides or checklists, venues for community meetings, or mini-grant programs for specific adapta - tion actions. This action could include plans to conduct outreach specifically to schools and other important institutions and organizations in the city. CC-1-3. Assess the feasibility of a City-sponsored carbon offset program. In cases in which additional local, on-site emission reductions are not possible, the purchase of offsets can help the community attain additional emission reductions needed to meet the city’s climate mitigation goals. The City should explore options for facilitating purchase of offsets by Ashland community members, such as through development of an online tool or interface. OTHER ACTIONS • Develop a climate-ready recognition program.Strategies and Actions Strategy CC-1. Educate and empowe r the public. Addressing community-wide emissions starts with ensuring that the public understands climate change and what they can do to address the challenge. This strategy involves not just enhancing public knowledge, but also continuing to learn and understand the needs and challenges the public faces in taking action. It focuses on finding ways to address the public’s needs and challenges through incentives, education, and behavior change programs. PRIORITY ACTIONS CC-1-1. Create a formal public outreach and education plan to inform the community about climate actions and progress. An informed community is critical to empower - ing and inspiring climate action. The outreach and education plan will inform residents about climate actions, what they accomplish, how they can be accessed or used, and how the community is progressing toward its targets.C Mi AdC Mi Ad C Mi Ad 101 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANCROSS-CUTTING STRATEGIES101

Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)