Our Campaigns
Our Wins
Securing Climate Funds for Albemarle County
C3’s Green Teen Alliance, interns, and local youth preparing to testify in front of the Albemarle Board of Supervisors
C3’s Teen Intern, Lila Castleman, shares more about her advocacy experience and the importance of youth engaging with local climate issues.
Challenge:
Beginning in 2018, Albemarle County signalled its commitment to climate change mitigation: it adopted a Climate Action Plan and set up a Climate Program to implement the Plan, and committed to placing climate and equity as the foundation of its comprehensive planning. However, while the County set a regional example in planning for climate change, it now risks falling behind in funding implementation of its Climate Action Plan. The County has only made two once-off climate action funding allocations since passing the Climate Action Plan, and that funding has been spent down, with no plans to replace it.
The insecurity of federal funding for climate change mitigation only makes this need all the more urgent, with federally-funded local climate programs already dealing with the impacts of the funding freeze.
Action:
C3 asked the County to recommit to its Climate Action Plan and to invest $1m annually in a Climate Action Implementation Fund.
To support this ask, we called on community partners to join a list of peer organizations and businesses, including Piedmont Environmental Council, Livable Cville, the Legal Aid Justice Center and many more, and add your logo to our sign-on letter in support of the Climate Action Plan Implementation Fund. Additionally, we encouraged the community to take individual action to support this ask directly.
Our community responded with resolve. Over the past few months, you mobilized, writing public comments, emailing your representatives, attending town halls and hearings, waving signs, and spreading the word to neighbors and colleagues. We saw passionate engagement from all corners of the community, including a powerful coalition of youth and teen advocates whose clarity and courage helped shift the tone of the conversation.
Outcome:
For the first time during budget season, the Board of Supervisors directed the County Executive to add new climate-specific funding to the adopted budget rather than waiting to appropriate it over the course of the year. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct the County Executive to reallocate $300,000 from the Advancing Strategic Priorities Reserve Fund into the Climate Action Fund. This was not on the agenda. It was not part of the Executive staff recommendation. It was a direct and responsive action to public pressure and community advocacy.
Charlottesville Area Transit Set to Zero Emissions by 2040
C3 was a key advocate to put CAT on the road to becoming a zero-emission transit agency by 2040!
Challenge:
Advocating for Charlottesville City council to choose zero-emission buses (ZEBs) for Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT)'s fuel technology and ensure workforce investments for ZEB operation and maintenance.
Action:
In addition to C3’s educational efforts and advocacy at public city CAT meetings, the organization delivered a petition to City Council signed by nearly 650 residents and 25 organizations and businesses in support of zero-emission buses.
This collective community advocacy played a significant role in shaping the future of Charlottesville’s public transportation.
Outcome:
In 2024, Charlottesville City Council gave the green light to Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) to focus its alternative fuel transition plan exclusively on zero-emission buses powered by Virginia’s electrical grid or cleaner sources. This victory would not have happened without the power of community advocacy.
City of Charlottesville Creates Climate Action Plan
C3’s advocacy led to a new climate action plan set to improve community infrastructure and reduce emissions.
City of Charlottesville Staff and Community Award Winners at ‘24 C3 Party for the Planet
Community Letter with support of 20 local organizations and over 300 resident signatures.
Challenge:
Charlottesville adopted its Climate Action Plan in early 2023. The plan gives the community a roadmap to decarbonize while recognizing the connections between climate and social justice issues. Many of C3’s recommendations were included in the plan, including several that we built with our social justice partners.
Action:
Combining our climate expertise with the expertise of our partners on affordable housing, zoning reform, mobility, and food justice, C3 facilitated the development of joint policy platforms. In all, more than 20 organizations collaborated to deliver the final recommendations.
Outcome:
Charlottesville adopted its Climate Action Plan in early 2023. The plan gives the community a roadmap to decarbonize while recognizing the connections between climate and social justice issues. Many of C3’s recommendations were included in the plan, including several that we built with our social justice partners. C3 facilitated the development of joint policy platforms: Climate Justice and Energy Equity; Equitable Decarbonization of Charlottesville Gas; Accessible, Clean Transportation; Boosting Climate Solutions through Food Justice; and Climate Smart and Equitable Zoning. In all, more than 20 organizations collaborated to deliver the final recommendations.
Woodridge Solar Project
C3 put our Solar Climate Justice Scorecard to the test to analyze and advocate for a proposed solar project in Woodridge, VA.
C3 and Hexagon Energy
Map of the proposed solar site featured in C3 Woodridge Analysis Report.
Challenge:
In 2023, C3 advocated to support the development of a utility-scale solar farm proposed by Hexagon Energy, a clean energy developer and Green Business Alliance member based in Charlottesville, Virginia. The farm was proposed to be built on a timber plantation outside of Woodridge, Virginia, which presented a significant opportunity for Albemarle County to make an unprecedented contribution to reducing local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Considering community benefits, we urged County Supervisors to grant Hexagon Energy a special-use permit to add solar to the Woodridge site and support our local community and global climate health.
Action:
Using the C3 Solar Climate Justice Scorecard, we analyzed the positive environmental, economic, and climate justice impacts of the project. Specifically, the Scorecard assessed the extent to which the proposed Hexagon Energy’s Woodridge Solar Project aligns with best practices in (i) procedural justice, (i) distributional justice, (ii)restorative justice, and (iv) other socio-economic and environmental factors.
In addition to our analysis, C3 delivered a community letter to County Board Supervisors with nearly 500 signatures from community partners and county residents supporting the project.
Outcome:
In April of 2023, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with the Woodridge Solar Project. The Woodridge Solar Farm will be the largest in the state, and will provide enough energy to power 25,000 homes - the equivalent of more than half of Albemarle County’s 45,000 homes - for the next 35 years.
Community letter with nearly 500 signatures supporting The Project.
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