We are creating a model for high-impact climate action.
RAPID Climate Accelerator is focused on developing a replicable regional climate activation model for California and the nation. We are inspired by the need to move quickly, decisively, and with exponential impact. The RAPID model catalyzes a shift from incremental, low impact activities to five high-impact Core Actions that can rapidly reduce climate emissions to achieve high-level impact on a multi-regional scale.
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The Challenge
California and the Nation are NOT
Achieving Climate Goals
Ambitious Goals Set...But Not Met!
California and cities throughout the state and country have set robust goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, implementation efforts are lacking and actions are focused on small, incremental wins rather than real impact.
Despite funding and interest, Californians are not on target to achieve climate goals (50% emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045 or sooner.)
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Incrementalism Without Impact
The vast majority of climate efforts have been plagued by extended planning processes and status quo decision-making resulting in incremental strategies. These well-intentioned efforts cannot achieve our urgent climate goals at the speed and scale required.
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Equity
Climate change is an emergency for all of our communities, but the threat to the most vulnerable populations is degrees greater. Driving climate action forward quickly, decisively, and with purpose is essential to ensure equity and can give back to communities that have borne the burden of under-investment.
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Unified Strategy Lacking
Until now, there has not been a unified regional strategy for governments and businesses to accelerate our climate impact to meet these “can’t miss” goals.
"Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day."
- Pope Francis
Moving from Incremental to RAPID
Too much of our current climate action planning has devolved into perpetual data gathering for greenhouse gas inventories and years long processes that result in laundry lists of lower-impact “to do’s.”
After working closely with climate experts and public agencies, we know that there are five high-impact Core Actions that local and regional leaders need to focus their work and determine HOW to implement solutions.
Top 5 Core Climate Actions
01
Accelerate 100% local renewable electricity generation.
02
Eliminate fossil fuels in buildings.
03
Promote active transportation infrastructure & streets for people.
04
Drive the zero-emission vehicle transition.
05
Support natural carbon capture and regenerative practices.
"The climate emergency ... requires transformative action at all levels.... We must change the way we produce and consume, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and protect our ecosystems. We must move from incremental action to transformational change, with the clear and ambitious goals that science demands."
- António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
RAPID Accelerator Framework
Leadership
To launch a new Accelerator, convene respected regional and local leaders from the public, private, and NGO sectors to commit to accelerated climate action.
5 Core Actions
Reduce the need for burdensome and inefficient local climate planning and refocus work on HOW to implement proven high-impact actions at speed and scale.
Funding
Ensure scaled funding by helping to fill critical gaps by leveraging state and federal funds with private capital. Provide regionally coordinated and professionally executed fund development. Create “investor ready” portfolios of fundable projects that can integrate public and private financing to optimize climate impact, equity, and community co-benefits.
Tools
Provide best-in-class tools and proven policy templates, project management, and peer learning processes to ensure that Core Actions are implemented effectively.
Management
Provide standardized governance materials to establish replicable private-public regional accelerators. Deploy a performance partnership model that focuses on strategic outcomes supported by effective processes, reliable data, and continuous improvement.
Act locally and globally
Recognizing that climate is a worldwide challenge, RAPID is developing a scaling strategy to reduce emissions in the largest metro areas worldwide by 2030. The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County will pilot the effort. We will engage climate institutes such as the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the UC California-China Climate Institute, Energy Innovation, and the Speed and Scale collaborative co-convened by John Doerr and global climate leaders.
Bay Area
Accelerator Pilot
Vision
By 2030, the Bay Area is a global model for effective climate action and establishes a replicable model for regional climate action to regions throughout North America.
2030 Goals
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Reduce Bay Area emissions by 50%.
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Source $10 billion in new climate investments for the Bay Area region.
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Deploy the RAPID Accelerator in large metro regions globally.
Why the Bay Area?
The Bay Area has the resources and desire to drive bold climate action. But this potential will only be realized if we bring our full capabilities to bear on the challenge. RAPID will unite the communities, leaders, and resources of the region with effective strategies to accelerate climate impact now.
Build on Bay Area strengths
The Bay Area is home to an innovation ecosystem that is the envy of the world, driving breakthroughs from the transistor to the autonomous EV. But this unique resource has not yet been unleashed on the greatest challenge of our time: the climate emergency.
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Deploy world-class acceleration tools
Bridging the public and private sectors, RAPID will draw from innovative practices that solve “wicked problems,” drive innovations and transform markets. These include blitzscaling, high-performance partnerships, and tools such as Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), Balanced Scorecard, and Agile Development (e.g., 90 day sprints).
Partner for speed, scale, and impact
RAPID has established a network of regional partners that can deliver large-scale programs effectively. These include Community Choice Energy agencies, leading NGOs (e.g., the Building Decarbonization Coalition, the Carbon Cycle Institute, SPUR, and others), regional agencies (BAAQMD, ABAG, MTC, and BCDC), local governments, and corporate leaders on sustainability.
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JOIN RAPID!
And become part of the solution!