In This Issue: Message from Climate Smart Director and an Update on Climate Smart • San Jose’s 2025 Building Reach Code • San José’s Climate Impact: 2023 Results are in • Spotlight: Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action • Beat the Heat with Greenspace • Switching to Electric Just Got Easier: Rebates Now Include Battery Storage! • Did you know...? • Celebrating the 2025 Climate Smart Champions • Community Events, Resources, and Awards | | Follow Climate Smart on our NEW social media accounts! | | We’ll share updates on new programs and opportunities, highlight the voices of local leaders, and reveal behind-the-scenes insights on our important work! | |
Message from Deputy Director and an Update on Climate Smart
Summer in San José is a great time to take smart, sustainable steps to stay cool while protecting our planet. From closing blinds during the hottest parts of the day to exploring City programs for electrification and energy efficiency, every action counts.
As we continue this work, we’re excited to share that the Climate Smart San José division has moved from the Environmental Services Department to the Energy Department, home of San José Clean Energy. This transition will strengthen our efforts by bringing climate and energy initiatives under one roof, helping us better serve our community and the environment.
Stay cool and stay Climate Smart!
Julie Benabente
Deputy Director, Climate Smart San José
| | | Upcoming Webinar: San Jose’s 2025 Building Reach Code | | |
The City of San José is proposing a new 2025 Building Reach Code for existing single-family homes.
The new ordinance that staff is planning to propose for Council consideration incudes two key items:
- To align with future Bay Area Air District guidelines, the code will be incentivizing the installation of a heat pump when air conditioning is added/modified.
- There will be electric-ready requirements when additions/remodels occur at the location of existing gas appliances.
We’ll provide a background on the City’s existing building reach code and the proposed changes, answer your questions, and welcome your feedback to help shape the final ordinance.
RSVP now to save your spot!
- Date: Wednesday, July 23
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Virtually on Zoom
| | We look forward to your participation in helping build a more resilient and sustainable San José. | | San José’s Climate Impact: 2023 Results are in | | |
San José's 2023 Inventory of Communitywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By: Hannah Greenberg, Energy Department
The 2023 communitywide greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is complete, showing San José's progress towards reaching carbon neutrality by 2030. GHG inventories are essential for tracking climate action, estimating communitywide emissions from sources like energy use, gasoline use, and food waste decomposition.
This inventory shows that emissions in 2023 were nearly the same as in 2021. The pie chart above breaks down emissions by sector. Some sectors saw increases while others declined. Due to San José Clean Energy providing the community with much cleaner electricity, emissions from electricity use were reduced by 40%! However, emissions increased in a few different areas, including transportation and natural gas – the two largest portions of San José’s GHG emissions.
Our community is making great progress towards its clean electricity goals but needs to continue to focus efforts on emissions from transportation and building natural gas use. Increasing electric vehicle adoption and mode shifts (e.g. biking or taking the bus instead of driving), as well as electrifying our buildings, will play a big role in achieving carbon neutrality.
Learn more by reviewing the inventory report or visiting the Climate Smart Data Dashboard webpage.
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🌟Spotlight: Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action🌟
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Climate change poses a growing threat to public health, with children being especially vulnerable to its impacts through increased exposure to air pollution and heatwaves. Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA) partnered with Stanford Medicine on a campaign to highlight the intersection between climate and health, underscoring the importance of climate solutions, including electrification and clean energy, as key public health strategies. Watch the full videos and explore solutions at SVYCA Climate and Health webpage. Help spread the word by reposting, commenting, and liking their posts on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Stay inspired and take action at SVYCA’s Impact Summit on Saturday, August 9.
| | Beat the Heat with Greenspace | | |
By: Jasmine Jain, Assistant Environmental Services Specialist, Energy Department
San José is getting hotter. By 2050, maximum temperatures are projected to reach up to 112°F. The City is especially vulnerable to the urban heat island effect, where dense, paved areas, particularly in places like East San José, absorb and retain more heat than greener, less developed rural areas. This not only raises overall temperatures but also creates inequitable health risks for communities with less tree cover and greenspace.
As we head into the hottest months of the year, embracing urban greening can help us stay safe and enjoy the outdoors. Trees and shaded areas naturally cool their surroundings, improve air quality, and offer relief during extreme heat events.
What you can do:
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Visit your local San José parks for shade or stop by a San José community center or library during business hours to stay cool.
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Plant and care for trees. Visit Our City Forest’s Free Trees webpage for free trees and planting services available to eligible residents.
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Check in on neighbors, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and those without access to cooling.
San José is taking steps to address these challenges through the upcoming Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP) and the Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Element of the Climate Smart San José plan update. The CARP prioritizes urban greening and resilient design as key measures to reduce heat risks, while the NWL Element focuses on protecting and restoring open space and natural habitats, including urban greening efforts. Learn more at SJEnvironment.org/CARP and SJEnvironment.org/ClimateSmartPlan.
| | Switching to Electric Just Got Easier: Rebates Now Include Battery Storage! | | |
By: Laura Correa-Hernandez, Public Information Representative II, Energy Department
San José Clean Energy (SJCE) makes it easier and more affordable for you to switch from gas to clean, electric appliances. The EcoHome Rebate program funding has been renewed by City Council for the 2025-26 fiscal year with a $2.675 million budget dedicated to heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, with an additional budget for NEW battery storage rebates.
Switching from gas to electric improves air quality, reduces pollution, and makes homes more efficient and comfortable year-round. SJCE EcoHome Rebate program is here to help with up to $22,400 in rebates. Whether you're a homeowner or renter, you may be eligible for rebates on the following:
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Replace your gas water heater with a new heat pump water heater
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Replace your gas-powered heating with a new heat pump HVAC system
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Install a battery storage to a new or existing solar system
Need help covering upfront costs? SJCE also offers an interest-free EcoHome Payment Plan for up to $5,000 to support eligible electric upgrades for heat pump HVAC systems and heat pump water heaters. Learn more at SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/EcoHome-Rebate.
| | that Climate Smart has brand new tote bags and an All-Electric Matching Game that we bring to events? | | Come to one of the upcoming events listed under Community Events and Resources below and find our booth to play the game and secure a bag of your own! | | Celebrating the 2025 Climate Smart Champions | | |
Photo by: Rina Nguyen
San José Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmember Cohen joined the 2025 Climate Smart Champions during a City Council commendation celebrating their contributions.
By: Ngan Doan, Public Information Representative II, Energy Department
On April 15, 2025, Climate Smart San José proudly recognized the 2025 Climate Smart Champions—individuals and organizations making a positive impact through sustainability and climate action.
The 2025 Champions selected this year are:
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Climate Champion of the Year: Rotary Club of San José
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Mobility Champion: Rod Diridon, Sr.
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Climate Smart Equity Champion: The Tenacious Group & Jose Barrera, Daniel Diaz, Bryan Sandoval, Javier Vazquez, Angel Villanueva
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Energy Champion: QuitCarbon
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Water Conservation Champion: Kat Contento
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Youth Climate Champion: Mani Bekele
The 2025 Climate Smart Champions received a commendation from the San José City Council, recognizing their outstanding contributions to a greener city. Later that day, a community reception brought together Champions’ families, past honorees, partners, and City staff for a warm celebration.
By honoring the Champions, Climate Smart San José reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local action and building a more sustainable future together. Learn more about the Champions’ efforts by visiting Climate Smart Champions webpage.
| | Community Events, Resources, and Awards | | |
Photo by: Rina Nguyen
Juneteenth In The Streets Festival attendees
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San José Community Events
August 5, 2025 - 3–9 p.m.
August 9, 2025 - 9 a.m.– 3 p.m.
Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008
August 16, 2025 - 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Lake Cunningham Regional Park, 2305 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95148
August 30-31, 2025
Plaza de César Chávez Park, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
September 7, 2025 - 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
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Resources
Awards
San José was one of 112 cities worldwide earned CDP’s top status. To be recognized on the A List, cities must publicly disclose their data through CDP-ICLEI Track and meet rigorous criteria, including a city-wide emissions inventory, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment, and a published climate action plan.
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Smart Energy Decisions 2025 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Awards: Awarded to Climate Smart staff Sarah Emerson and Jasmine Jain
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Sarah Emerson, Environmental Services Specialist, won in the category of Project/Initiative for her critical role in the Electric Homes San José incentive program.
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Jasmine Jain, Assistant Environmental Services Specialist, won in the category of Rising Star for her efforts to prioritize equity in Climate Smart’s community engagement and education work.
| | Would you like a presentation from a Climate Smart Expert? | | Complete the Climate Smart Presentation Request Form to request a presentation for your community group, school, neighborhood association, or business. We typically provide an overview of Climate Smart San José and our initiatives to help reach the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, but please let us know any areas of particular interest or focus, and we will customize the presentation accordingly. | | |
Do you have a sustainability-related event, program, resource, or community spotlight you'd like to suggest for our next issue? Please fill out the San José Climate Chronicles: Submission Request form to submit your suggestion and nomination, or email ClimateSmart@sanjoseca.gov by September 1, 2025.
Please note: Due to our prioritization of certain topics, we cannot guarantee that your request will be included in the newsletter. If your submission is of interest, we will be in contact via email.
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