Be a Sustainability Eco-Hero

Now is a perfect time to strengthen your commitment to sustainable habits or start a new one, with the new school year starting. Use the “fresh start effect” to give you a better chance at developing a new habit. Even better – combine the fresh start effect with using an accountability partner to help you stick to your habit. With the Planet Protection Pledge, we’ll be your accountability partner and recognize your win as a “local climate hero” when you accomplish your goal, whether it’s a one-time improvement like replacing a gas appliance with electric, or an ongoing habit like biking to work or school!

Plus, the City now has lawn signs for you to share your climate action efforts with your neighbors. If you’ve gone electric at home, fill out this form and we’ll deliver a lawn sign for you to show off being an eco-hero!

Climate Action Blog: Be Cool This Summer by Switching from Gas to Electric

Check out our latest Climate Action Blog on Switching to Electric, sharing 5 ways you can join your neighbors by going electric at home, advancing our community goals by reducing emissions 80% by 2030.

Act Fast to Switch & Save on a Heat Pump Water Heater

Take advantage of the new TECH Clean California rebate to help you save when switching to a heat pump water heater. For a limited time while state funding lasts, save money when you participate in a Palo Alto heat pump water heater program and make the switch for as low as $1,900. Based on previous rounds of TECH funding, we anticipate that funds will be exhausted soon.

If you're upgrading your gas furnace to a heat pump HVAC, there are also extra state incentives available now.

Switching is easy. One call does it all: (650) 713-3411.

Extreme Heat Summit This Sunday

This Sunday, Aug 17 at Cooley Landing, join the Cool Cities Coalition and a panel of city leaders and activists to learn how to prepare for the hotter summers ahead. RSVP for the event here.

Bring Your Yard to Life

Swap out your thirsty lawn for beautiful, California-friendly plants and get a rebate of up to $5,000! The City of Palo Alto and Valley Water offer rebates and expert resources to help you create a water-efficient landscape and upgrade your irrigation system. These improvements can cut your water use and your utility bill.

Start with a free Water-Wise Outdoor Survey. Learn more and apply at paloalto.gov/waystosave.

Safe Discposal of Lithium-ion Batteries

When it comes to lithium-ion batteries, the importance of responsible disposal could not be more dire. Please reduce fire risk of lithium-ion batteries by disposing your batteries safely, responsibly, and free at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) station open every Saturday. Find more information at paloalto.gov/hazwaste.

South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity Project

To improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and in support of the City’s mobility and sustainability goals, the South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity project will identify locations and design concepts where two new grade-separated bicycle and pedestrian pathways across the Caltrain corridor may be constructed. Share your input on eight preliminary designs through an online survey and participate in an in-person community workshop on September 9 at the Mitchell Park Community Center.

Proposed 2026-2028 Green Building and Local Energy Code Update

Every three years, the City of Palo Alto has the opportunity to make local amendments to the Statewide Energy and Green Building Codes. The proposed regulations would promote water conservation, lower embodied carbon in new construction projects, reduce fossil fuel use in buildings, and facilitate electric vehicle adoption. Find more information on Proposed Reach Code Amendments here.

Federal Incentives for Clean Energy Are Ending

Federal clean energy and decarbonization incentives are expiring for heat pumps, electric panels, and attic/roof insulation on December 31, 2025. To gain the existing tax credits, installation for these projects must be completed by December 31, 2025. Despite the changes to federal tax credits, the City continues to offer incentives and services to support your home electrification projects. Learn more at paloalto.gov/ElectrifyMyHome.

LIBRARY LEARNING CORNER

From Borrowing to Repairing: Sustainability Resources at Palo Alto City Library

Reduce waste and live more sustainably with free resources from your library! Borrow book club kits, parks passes, seeds and more from the Library of Things. Check out the Make Do & Mend booklist for tips on fixing and refreshing your wardrobe. Your library card also gives you access to environmental documentaries on Kanopy.

Fall Into Nature Journaling

As the seasons change, it’s the perfect time to start or deepen your nature journaling practice by exploring the library's nature journaling guide for tips and resources. Document your observations, reflect on the environment, and connect with the outdoors.

Youth Climate Advisory Board 2024-25 Recap: From Classrooms to City Hall

This year, the inaugural Youth Climate Advisory Board worked hard to help Palo Alto become more sustainable. Here are some of their highlights:

Gathered, analyzed, and provided feedback with data from 200+ Bay-Area youth on public transportation interest
Organized water conservation workshops and curricula
Taught 100+ middle-school students about Zero Waste and our sustainability goals
Provided input on PAUSD’s upcoming Sustainability Master Plan
Built the foundations for a board that will work alongside Palo Alto for years

The Board will be back this September with even bigger plans to help Palo Alto reach its sustainability goals! To learn more, visit the Youth Climate Advisory Board home page.