Sustainability & Climate Action Communications and Marketing

The City of Palo Alto (City) is seeking 3 year proposals from qualified firms to provide professional services to support development and implementation of communications and marketing strategies for the City’s sustainability and climate programs as they relate to the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP). The required services and performance conditions are described in this Scope of Work (or Services). This effort will be undertaken in coordination with City plan and programs.

Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, making impressive progress towards reducing its carbon impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource consumption. Palo Alto City Council first adopted a Sustainability Policy in 2001, reflecting the City’s intention to be a sustainable community – one which meets its current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Since then, the City began a variety of initiatives to improve the sustainability performance of both government operations and the community at large.

In October 2022, the City Council passed an ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, building on the City’s existing goal of cutting emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030. While reducing emissions is a priority for the City, Palo Alto believes in a comprehensive view of sustainability. In June 2023, Palo Alto City Council adopted the 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) , which lays out the City’s strategy to achieve these carbon reduction goals while improving our natural environment, adapting to climate impacts, and increasing livability for Palo Alto residents.

As the only City in California that owns and operates a full suite of municipal utility services, including electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater, Palo Alto is uniquely poised to take meaningful action on climate and sustainability. This autonomy allows us to pursue coordinated efforts to decrease natural gas consumption, incentivize building electrification, facilitate the transition to electric vehicles, and optimize water resource management. Since 2013, Palo Alto has provided 100% carbon neutral electricity , making electrification of buildings and transportation a clear path towards our emissions reduction goals.

The S/CAP lays out key priorities and goals in eight focus areas including Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, Mobility, Water, Natural Environment, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, and Zero Waste. While climate change and sustainability are the umbrella, programs, services, and events related to the S/CAP span across all City departments. Our sweeping approach to reach our sustainability and climate action goals is what sets Palo Alto apart in our effort to being a sustainable community.

The City of Palo Alto’s commitment to sustainability reflects the priorities of our community. Palo Alto residents prioritize having sustainable, action-oriented options, which is part of why sustainability and climate action are fundamental to all City work. The S/CAP 3-year Workplan , which lays out an implementation strategy for the S/CAP over the next three years, identifies outreach and communications as a key priority (Priority 3) for achieving our goals. Clear and effective communications around these goals, programs, and initiatives are necessary to build awareness, and achieve confidence and high participation in the City’s sustainability and climate action efforts.