Certification Levels
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification program is based on two types of actions:
- Mandatory and priority actions are actions deemed foundational to a successful local climate action program, some of which must be completed for each certification level. Applicants must complete the required number of mandatory and priority actions for each level.
- Optional actions are all actions that are not labeled as mandatory or priority. Applicants may select any optional actions to complete to earn points toward one of the levels.
Applicants can achieve one of three certification levels: bronze, silver, and gold. Levels are based on the total points earned and the completion of selected priority actions and pledge elements. See table below for a summary of the requirements for each certification level.
Please note: The gold level is currently under development as part of an initiative to align the highest level of CSC certification with New York State's greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction limits and climate adaptation goals.
| Registered Climate Smart Community | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Local governments are designated as Registered CSCs after passing the CSC pledge as a formal resolution. | |
| Bronze | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | The initial level of certification - for local governments that have acted their commitment to climate action and taken steps to implement climate-smart policies and projects. | |
| Point Requirement | 120 points | |
| Minimum Pledge Elements | At least 1 action completed under 4 different PEs | |
| Mandatory Actions | ||
| Minimum Priority Actions | 3 priority actions | |
| Silver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | The second level of certification - for local governments that have implemented a range of foundational climate actions and made concrete progress toward goals. | |
| Point Requirement | 300 points | |
| Minimum Pledge Elements | At least 1 action completed under 7 different PEs | |
| Mandatory Actions | ||
| Minimum Priority Actions | 6 priority actions | |
| Definitions of Requirement Categories | |
|---|---|
| Point Requirement | Applicants must earn at least the specified number of points for the rating level, along with achieving the other criteria listed in the rows above. Points are earned by completing certification actions and uploading the required documentation via this website. |
| Minimum Pledge Elements | Applicants must complete at least one action under the specified number pledge elements (PEs). Applicants may select which PEs they use to comply with this requirement. |
Mandatory Actions | Applicants must complete the mandatory actions for each rating level. |
Minimum Priority Actions | Applicants may select which priority actions to complete and must achieve at least the minimum specified for each rating level. |
Minimum Performance Points | Applicants must achieve at least the specified number of points under the Performance category of actions. |