Climate Action & Environment2022-2042 Comprehensive PlanAffordable HousingClimate Action & EnvironmentTransportation & MobilityGreen Stormwater Infrastructure, Water, & EnergyEconomic SustainabilityRecreation, Parks, & Cultural ResourcesLand Use
Strategy Alignment ReportStrategy 1.1 Increase the use of renewable energy sources, e.g., solar for all residents, including low-income residents.Strategy 1.2 Integrate Climate Action with the Local Living Economy.Strategy 2.1: Budget for implementing the Town’s climate action plans (both community and municipal) in accordance with the June 25, 2019 Resolution.Strategy 2.2: At a minimum, 20% of the budget required to meet the Town’s climate action goals is funded over the next 10 years.Strategy 4.1 Increase participation of rental properties in energy, drinking water, and climate resiliency building programs.Strategy 4.2 Expand access to weatherization, energy efficiency, and continue water conservation measures for all, especially lower-income residents and small business owners, in new construction and retrofits to existing buildings.Strategy 1.1 Support native plantings throughout town.Strategy 1.2 Expand nature-based stormwater solutions as part of ecosystem enhancement, watershed restoration, climate resilience, and quality of place improvements.Strategy 1.3 Create strategic initiatives to overcome historic soil quality degradation and determine ways to protect and restore soil quality as a crucial component of ecosystem and community enhancement.Strategy 2.1 Ensure environmental policies and tools do not have disparate impacts based on race and income, and undo harm from historical policies and zoning.Strategy 1.1 Center equity in transportation planning processes.
What We Will MeasurePer capita greenhouse gas emissionsMunicipal emissionsThe number of BIPOC and low-income residents who participate in climate change-related public engagementPercentage of budget allocated to enact climate change actions over the next 10 yearsIncrease in various measures of ecosystem health: native plantings, tree canopy, pollinators, air pollution, biodiversity, water quality
ProjectsDevelop partnerships with public agencies or organizations to increase opportunities to access renewable energy (CCAP).Continue evaluation of the potential to integrate renewable energy infrastructure during the review of development permits.C Demand for more expansive renewable energy County and State legislation, ordinances, and policies.Expand the Worthwhile Investments Save Energy (WISE) Program and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF).B Collect and communicate data to the public and decision-makers on food-related greenhouse gas emissions for dining facilities and households in Carrboro.C Improve access to local healthy food options such as fresh fruits and vegetables to all community members.D Promote the green economy including local innovators and low-impact industries. (See Economic Sustainability)A Establish a Rental Property Task Force and Process.Establish a certificate program and public database for the energy performance of rental housing.A Pursue compliance with voluntary section of building code or request specific energy performance rating/measures as a part of land use and/or building permit, especially for affordable housing units/projects.B Incentivize energy efficiency and green building with special designations and recognition programs to exceed minimum standards and meet climate change demands.C Develop and promote technical assistance programs for small business owners and income-qualified homeowners and renters to install weatherization, energy efficient, and water conservation measures.Develop a free or low-cost financing program for weatherization, energy efficient, renewable energy/community generation, and water conservation projects which can be an addition to affordable home rehabilitation programs.A Conduct a heat study of Carrboro to identify urban heat islands to determine where native planting programs can be strategically located. Establish parameters within the Land Use Ordinance to mitigate the urban heat island effects in priority areas.B Work with local groups and organizations to support and expand a native pollinators program that provides technical assistance on native planting for Carrboro residents (renters and homeowners) and business owners.C Continue to provide education to Public Works and Planning staff, Advisory Commission members, and interested community members in native plant establishment and maintenance along with tree preservation.D Establish and protect native vegetation in riparian and stream channel restoration projects.E Continue to work with OWASA and Town of Chapel Hill to improve riparian vegetation condition along sanitary sewer rights of ways and greenways.A Review and revise the provisions in the Land Use Ordinance related to stormwater and development to provide better protection to streams and riparian areas.B Continue to identify and prioritize opportunities for water quality retrofit projects from previous endeavors.C Implement bioengineering/restoration methods to protect and/or restore riparian and aquatic habitats.D Offer technical and financial assistance to renters and homeowners for residential installation of green infrastructure, with an ability to offer priority to more flood prone and lower income residents.E A Racial Equity Impact Assessment can be used to evaluate and prioritize projects.A Examine Carrboro’s soil quality conditions and how soil quality improvements can contribute to climate change resiliency.B Recognize and promote the importance of soil organic carbon content. Coordinate with efforts to expand composting program.C Develop new outreach and technical assistance to accelerate access to information on soil quality and pursuit of soil restoration projects.A Evaluate individual permits within a broader context of cumulative burden to ensure that stormwater impacts do not burden flood-prone neighborhoods or low-income residents.B Investigate land use planning and flood mitigation approaches to better address impacts to already burdened properties.C Train Stormwater Advisory Commission Members, Racial Equity Commission members, and Public Works staff to conduct Racial Equity Impact Assessments on ordinances and actions taken thus far on any policy related to stormwater.A Continue to promote the inclusion of equity as a weighing factor in the selection of local and regional transportation projects.
Not Defined
Expand the Worthwhile Investments Save Energy (WISE) Program and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF).
Climate Action & Environment

Goals

Not Defined
Strategy 1.2 Integrate Climate Action with the Local Living Economy.
Climate Action & Environment

Owner

AA
Amy Armbruster

Update

The Carrboro WISE program was successful in driving energy efficiency projects for over 100 residences and providing 5 small commercial loans. The projects were estimated to save 21% or more in energy savings and, on average, over $300 per year in energy savings. The grant used to fund residential energy upgrades was depleted and the residential side of the program was discontinued. All loans from the EERLF were repaid. 

Next Steps

The Climate Action team is working to retool the WISE and EERLF programs to streamline implementation. 

Phase

Analysis

Start Date

8/22/25

End Date

8/22/26

Gantt Chart

Name
Climate Action & Environment
Expand the Worthwhile Investments Save Energy (WISE) Program and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF).
2025
2026
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