This is the second installment in our Climate-Smart Zoning series, which explores the relationship between zoning and the environment and provides recommendations for Code Refresh. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the Draft Two map and discuss what we like, what still needs improvement, and opportunities to give feedback to the City. 

 The City of Richmond in partnership with the Community Climate Collaborative (C3), has been selected as part of a highly competitive, nationwide strategy to be one of the 52 initial cohort communities to receive a grant of $250,000 from the Coalition for Green Capital’s Municipal Investment Fund (MIF). Funded by the Coalition for Green Capital, the MIF is seeding green financing at the community level across the U.S to secure local clean energy access and advance local solutions.  Read on to learn more about the project.

Amidst a worsening climate crisis and the federal attacks on renewable energy, Nebraska-based Tenaska wants to build another gas plant outside Scottsville with a gigantic 1,500 MW capacity. Read on for more, including how to get involved.

There’s no sugarcoating it: 2025 was a challenging year for climate action, and one that felt particularly jarring after the major federal climate laws that were passed in just the last few years. Despite the discouraging national headlines, we are proud to reflect on our 2025 Corporate Sustainability work as a year of continued progress and leadership.

My name is Spoorthi Nadkarni, and I got the privilege to work as a Fall 2025 IPP communications intern for C3, here is a bit about my experience, how I ended up at C3, and how you can get involved yourself!

In honor of Indigenous People’s Month, here is a very brief overview on the way Indigenous communities have been disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis and underrepresentation within the community.

The City of Richmond is over a year into Code Refresh, an initiative to “refresh” the City’s 50+ year old zoning code. Code Refresh presents an opportunity for the City to reenvision its future and prioritize sustainability, housing affordability, and racial justice in its zoning decisions. This is the first installment in our Climate-Smart Zoning series, which explores the relationship between zoning and the environment and provides recommendations for Code Refresh. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss the impacts of zoning, how it relates to climate change and environmental justice, and introduce you to the Code Refresh process.

Thanks for another amazing Party for the Planet! In case you missed us, here is a recap of the events featuring awards, the highlights of the night, and more. We hope to see you next year!

This week brought a welcome development for Albemarle County: staff have announced they plan to recommend a pause on the proposed data center ordinance, delaying any move to allow massive new data centers “by right” in overlay districts. For now, the existing protections stay in place: any data center larger than 40,000 square feet must still obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the Board of Supervisors. Read on for the full update.

Read C3’s newest report analyzing energy and housing affordability in Richmond, VA as it relates to the City’s discriminatory history.

Read on to learn more about C3’s new report exploring Albemarle’s energy burden and high energy costs through a County level lens.

In this blog, C3 Teen Interns explore available opportunities in the green workforce and their newly released Virginia Explore Green Jobs resource guide that lists information about green careers in numerous sustainable sectors, as well as a 'Green Jobs on the Rise' video with personal stories and insights from the industry.

On July 4th, the White House signed into law a budget reconciliation bill with sweeping implications. This bill results in several significant changes to the federal funding landscape. So, what now? Despite the miserable headlines, there is a lot that we can still be excited about on the climate front. Read to take a look at the main changes to climate and clean energy funding resulting from the bill, and how we might find new motivation and incentives in the altered landscape.

This summer, communities across Virginia have faced an onslaught of extreme humidity, intense storms, and dangerous flash flooding. Richmond and the Charlottesville area have been no exception. Events once labeled “1,000-year floods” are now happening more frequently due to human-driven climate change. What does this new normal mean for our cities, and how can we adapt before the next storm hits?

 After over a year of revisions, public hearings, and powerful community input, Albemarle County passed its long-awaited solar ordinance, representing a major step forward in aligning local land use policy with our climate commitments.

It’s Pride Month, an important time to highlight the power of local, community-driven action. As current changes to federal policies neglect and disregard the well-being of queer lives and our planet, community action is more urgent than ever. Learn more about the connection between LGBTQ+ rights and the climate crisis here.

We’re thrilled to share some big news: after a short but intense campaign from C3 and our network of partners and volunteers, as of yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting on May 7, Albemarle County has now voted to commit $300,000 in new budgetary funding for climate action. Read our latest blog to get the rundown on this step forward.

The wonderful world of HVAC….or not? Except for the structure of the building itself, your HVAC equipment makes up one of the most expensive, and most vital, components of a modern, habitable building. It also accounts for the lion’s share (over 50%) of energy use, emissions, and a big proportion of operating costs in most businesses.  

And yet…so many of us don’t even think about what it does until it stops working. Read on for a deep dive on how to make the most of the HVAC equipment in your home and/or brick and mortar business.

This is statement Written by Ven. Tenzin Gephel of Blue Mountain Dharma in support of C3’s efforts toward positive climate action.

Reducing climate impact sounds like a big task, but at C3 we know it’s easily accessible for everyone - it has to be! With our larger partners in the Green Business Alliance, our work involves a lot of coaching and data-crunching as they work toward deep emissions reduction goals. For our community partners and some microbusinesses, we offer professional services to identify energy-saving opportunities and navigate the jungle of financial incentives to help put them into action.