Local action for the global environment : municipal government participation in a voluntary climate protection program

Abstract

The Cities for Climate ProtectionTM (CCP) campaign is a voluntary environmental program for municipalities, which is increasingly being applied around the world by local governments taking action on climate change. This thesis investigates the reasons for adoption, barriers and drivers of implementation, and potential outcomes of municipal CCP implementation, through case studies of six communities in New England and Eastern Canada, at different implementation levels of the CCP program. Three actors from each case were interviewed and their responses analyzed to identify patterns, common themes and any differences based on implementation level. Major findings include the importance of an internal champion for adoption and implementation, and the significance of education and issue framing for increased implementation. Interviewees mainly observed social outcomes, including increased awareness and climate change institutionalization within municipal government operations. Based on the study, recommendations for policy and program development are provided to more effectively engage municipalities in local climate action within the New England and Eastern Canadian region. Keywords: climate change, municipalities, local government, cities for climate protection, voluntary environmental program, New England, Eastern Canada.