Portland Clean Energy Fund invests more than $64 million in community-led grants – Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB

Report on Portland’s Climate Action Investment and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), a climate action program, has approved a $64.4 million investment over five years for 60 community-led projects. This initiative directly supports the city’s goals for greenhouse gas reduction and the renewable energy transition. The funding model demonstrates a strong commitment to integrating environmental objectives with socioeconomic development, aligning closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning climate action, sustainable cities, clean energy, and reduced inequalities.

Funding Allocation and Program Overview

The PCEF is a first-of-its-kind environmental justice program funded by a 1% tax on sales from large retail businesses. The latest allocation represents the fourth round of community grants. Key details of the program include:

• Current Investment: $64.4 million allocated to 60 nonprofit-led projects.
• Funding Cycle: This is the fourth round of community grants, selected from 216 proposals.
• Total Program Impact: The PCEF has allocated a total of $1.71 billion to date, supporting over 220 nonprofits through 381 community grants.
• Governance: Grant approval is now managed by the City Administrator under a new City Council structure.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The PCEF’s strategic investments contribute directly to the advancement of multiple SDGs:

1. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Projects focus on energy-efficient retrofits, the construction of affordable and energy-efficient homes, and the development of renewable energy sources, increasing access to clean energy for all residents.
2. SDG 13 (Climate Action): The program’s core mission is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through targeted investments in transportation decarbonization, green infrastructure, and renewable energy, constituting direct climate action at the municipal level.
3. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By funding green infrastructure, sustainable transportation options like electric vehicles, and energy-efficient housing, the PCEF enhances the sustainability and resilience of urban communities in Portland.
4. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): A significant portion of the funding is dedicated to workforce and contractor development, creating green jobs and providing training in the renewable energy and construction sectors, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
5. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The program is explicitly designed to advance racial and social justice. The distribution of funds prioritizes community-led initiatives, ensuring that the benefits of the green transition are shared equitably. The geographic allocation of funds across city districts further supports this goal.
6. SDG 15 (Life on Land): The inclusion of regenerative agriculture projects supports sustainable land use, enhances biodiversity, and contributes to resilient ecosystems within the urban and peri-urban environment.

Project Categories and Geographic Distribution

The 60 approved grants are organized into five primary investment categories that reflect a comprehensive approach to climate and community resilience.

Funded Project Categories

1. Energy efficiency and renewable energy
2. Transportation decarbonization
3. Regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure
4. Workforce and contractor development
5. Other community climate initiatives

Geographic Funding Distribution by District

The allocation of funds across Portland’s new city districts reflects a commitment to equitable investment:

• District 2 (North/Northeast Portland): Approximately $28 million
• District 1 (Outer East Portland): Approximately $17 million
• District 3 (Southeast/Northeast Portland): Approximately $7 million
• District 4 (West side and Sellwood): Approximately $5 million

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting Portland’s investment in projects that “advance the renewable energy transition,” including “energy-efficient retrofits” and “renewable energy development.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The program’s focus on “workforce training in the energy sector” and “job training in the construction and energy fields” connects directly to promoting sustainable economic growth and creating green jobs.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article states that the Portland Clean Energy Fund is an “environmental justice and climate program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while advancing racial and social justice,” which aligns with the goal of reducing inequality. The distribution of funds across different city districts also points to this.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The initiative is a city-level program focused on making Portland more sustainable. Specific projects mentioned, such as “building more affordable and energy-efficient homes,” improving access to “electric vehicles” (sustainable transport), and developing “green infrastructure,” are central to this SDG.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – This is the primary goal of the program. The article explicitly states that the fund’s purpose is to “reduce its greenhouse gas emissions” and that the money is used for a “range of climate-related projects.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article supports this by mentioning funding for projects that “advance the renewable energy transition” and “renewable energy development.”
• Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The funding for “energy-efficient homes” and “energy-efficient retrofits” directly contributes to this target.
• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The focus on “workforce training in the energy sector” and “job training in the construction and energy fields” aims to build a skilled workforce for the green economy, which aligns with this target.
• Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing. The program’s support for “building more affordable and energy-efficient homes” is a direct action towards this target.
• Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. The entire program, with its goal to “reduce its greenhouse gas emissions” through various projects like “transportation decarbonization” and “green infrastructure,” is an implementation of this target at the city level.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The Portland Clean Energy Fund itself is a city-level example of integrating climate action into local policy and planning, funded by a specific tax on large retailers.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Financial Investment: The article provides specific financial figures that serve as indicators of commitment and resource mobilization. Examples include “$64.4 million in funding for 60 nonprofit-led projects” and a total allocation of “$1.71 billion in PCEF funding” to date. This can be used to track progress towards multiple targets by measuring the scale of investment in relevant areas.
• Number of Projects and Grantees: The article mentions that “60 nonprofit-led projects” were approved in the latest round and that “381 community grants” have been awarded in total to “more than 220 nonprofits.” These numbers act as indicators of the program’s reach and the level of community engagement in climate action.
• Project Categories: The article lists five categories for the grants: “energy efficiency and renewable energy, transportation decarbonization, regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure, workforce and contractor development and other community climate initiatives.” The number of projects or amount of funding allocated to each category can be used as an indicator to measure progress in specific areas, such as renewable energy deployment or green job creation.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: While no specific reduction figures are provided, the primary goal of the program is to “reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.” This is the ultimate implied indicator for measuring the success of the climate action initiatives (SDG 13). Progress would be measured by tracking the city’s overall emissions over time.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: opb.org