Milestone 1: Create a GHG emissions inventory and forecast
A GHG emissions inventory can help you track emissions and spending, gather money-saving information and measure your progress over time. Having a forecast allows you to project future emissions based on assumptions about population, economic growth and fuel mix.
Complete Milestone 1
When you’re ready, provide us with the following:
- Summary of community or corporate inventory
- Emission intensity values or coefficient values (for all energy types, including electricity)
- Summary of data sources
- Description of assumptions made regarding data
- 10-year business-as-usual emissions forecast
If you use our Milestone Tool, notify us when your work is ready. If you complete these actions without the tool, email us your electronic reports. Either way, we’ll assess your work and confirm that you’re ready to move on to Milestone 2.
To help you prepare and manage your GHG emission inventory, FCM and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability developed a fast, convenient, web-based PCP Milestone Tool. Contact the PCP Secretariat to access the tool, which is FREE to PCP members.
Milestone 2: Set an emissions reduction target
A GHG emissions reduction target sets the tone and direction for your emission reduction efforts. Targets should be achievable, while also inspiring ambitious action. We encourage you to adopt two targets: one for municipally owned operations and another for community-wide emissions.
Complete Milestone 2
When you’re ready, provide us with the following, just as you did in Milestone 1:
- Description of your targets, including baseline year, target year and percentage change from baseline year
- A council resolution that adopts the targets set, including the baseline year, target year and percentage change from baseline year
We’ll assess your work and confirm that you’re ready to move on to Milestone 3.
Need help setting your target? FCM and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability developed a fast, convenient, web-based PCP Milestone Tool to help you prepare GHG emission reductions targets. Contact the PCP Secretariat to access the tool, which is FREE to PCP members.
Milestone 3: Develop a local action plan
A local action plan outlines how your municipality will achieve its emissions reduction target through municipal operations and community-based initiatives. Stakeholder engagement is critical to your plan’s development, and ownership of the plan by municipal staff and the community can help ensure its long-term success.
Complete Milestone 3
When you’re ready, provide us with the following, just as you did for the other milestones:
- Description of the activities that will help you achieve your target reductions (provide a written report, presentation or website)
- Description of how the public or internal stakeholders participated in developing the plan
- Description of the costs and funding sources
- Names of the municipal department(s) or organization(s) responsible for the plan and the actions outlined in it
We’ll assess your work and confirm that you’re ready to move on to Milestone 4.
Need help developing your local action plan? FCM and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability developed a fast, convenient, web-based PCP Milestone Tool to help you develop yours. Contact the PCP Secretariat to access the tool, which is FREE to PCP members.
Milestone 4: Implement the Local Action Plan
Several factors influence your ability to successfully implement your local action plan. Integrate it into your municipality's existing plans and policies so it’s top of mind in municipal decisions and linked to your municipal budgeting process. Create a clear implementation schedule as well as ways to monitor and communicate your progress. Doing so will help you ensure ongoing support from your council and stakeholders.
Complete Milestone 4
When you’re ready, provide us with the following, just as you did for the other milestones:
- Description of the degree to which measures in your local action plan have been implemented (include implementation partners, financing mechanisms, and variations from the original plan)
- The implementation schedule
We’ll assess your work and confirm that you’re ready to move on to Milestone 5.
Need help implementing and tracking your local action plan? FCM and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability developed a fast, convenient, web-based PCP Milestone Tool to support you. Contact the PCP Secretariat to access the tool, which is FREE to PCP members. ICLEI also offers FREE technical support if you have any questions.
Milestone 5: Monitor progress and reporting results
Monitoring helps you determine whether your initiatives are working and whether you’ll meet your target. Use data you’ve collected to evaluate and adjust your activities. You can also use reporting to connect with stakeholders and funders to solidify support for future initiatives.
Complete Milestone 5
When you’re ready, provide us with the following, just as you did for the other milestones:
- An updated corporate or community inventory for the current (or near current) year
- Quantification of the GHG reduction impact of each measure outlined in your local action plan
- Report on how stakeholders and decision makers have been included throughout your milestone process
Completing Milestone 5 is a significant achievement, but it does not signal the end of your journey. Your local action plan is a living document that should be revised as information, ideas and circumstances evolve. Connect with us to learn how to keep your municipality involved in reducing GHG emissions.
We have tools and resources available to help you monitor the results of your initiatives.Need help monitoring your results? FCM and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability developed a fast, convenient, web-based PCP Milestone Tool to support you. Contact the PCP Secretariat to access the tool, which is FREE to PCP members. ICLEI also offers FREE technical support if you have any questions.