This measure provides the County with an adaptive management tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the established 2030 target. The County will develop the local direct investment program and conduct a feasibility study on potential direct investment projects (e.g., reforestation, grassland conservation, advanced refrigerant management) and register the projects with a qualified and recognized greenhouse gas (GHG) registry such as the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Exchange (GHG Rx), Climate Action Reserve, Verra (formally Verified Carbon Standard), and/or American Carbon Standard. The County will monitor GHG emissions reductions toward the 2030 target and will reevaluate reductions needed with each climate action plan update.

The County will fund, implement, and register direct investment projects with a GHG registry. A third-party will verify the emissions reductions from the County’s direct investment projects in accordance with the governing protocols established for carbon offset projects. The verifying entity will ensure that the County’s direct investment projects have retired the specified amount of GHG emissions. Credits will be retired by the County in perpetuity and will not be available for purchase by third parties. The County will only register GHG projects that yield a surplus of GHG emissions reductions (i.e., GHG reductions beyond what are projected to occur under the business-as-usual scenario and not otherwise mandated by climate action regulations).

The local direct investment program will provide flexibility for the County in reducing GHG emissions and is therefore an adaptable way to reach the 2030 reduction target. By directly investing in projects within the unincorporated county, the County can achieve GHG reductions and provide local co-benefits such as improved air quality, improved public health, water and energy savings, protection of biological resources, carbon sequestration, and cost savings.