1. How to Organize a Local Campaign in Your Community
Buy Clean Campaign
How to Organize a Local Campaign in Your Community
This is a presentation for people who are interested in starting or working on a local buy clean campaign in your community. This presentation outlines the steps necessary to run a successful campaign, and how we can achieve environmental victories at the local level. So let’s get in to it: What does it mean to “Buy Clean”?

2. What does it mean to “Buy Clean”?
Purchase products and materials from manufacturers who have reduced their greenhouse gas pollution during the production process
$10 billion/ year on public infrastructure projects
$100 billion/ year on long-term obligations
California is a leader in the fight against climate change
5th largest economy in the world
To “Buy Clean” means to use our purchasing power (tax dollars) to buy products and materials from less polluting manufacturers. The State of CA spends about $10 billion per year on purchases made for public works projects and has over $100 billion in long term obligations for infrastructure projects. This does not include spending that is done at the local level. It matters where we put this money. CA is the 5th largest economy in the world. Do we want our tax dollars to support dirty industries, or do we want to support companies that are better for the environment?

3. The Buy Clean California Act (2017)
AB 262 Buy Clean California was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017
The country’s first law that addresses greenhouse gas emissions within a state’s supply chain
25% of global greenhouse gas emissions pass through a “carbon loophole” of embedded emissions
Establishes a process that ensures the State purchase certain construction materials used in public works projects from less polluting manufacturers
Eligible materials: structural steel, carbon steel rebar, mineral wool board insulation, flat glass
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
A “nutritional label” for manufactured materials that shows how much climate pollution is produced during manufacturing process of each material
Only requires State Agencies, UCs, and CSUs to comply
Does not include infrastructure purchasing at the city and county level
The State of CA has found a way to put this concept to work by aligning our spending with our environmental goals. AB 262 the Buy Clean California Act was signed into law in October 2017, and became effective this year. It is the country’s first law that addresses greenhouse gas pollution within the supply chain of heavy products the state buys for infrastructure. It requires disclosure of emissions produced during the manufacturing process of certain construction materials purchased for public works projects (everything from roads to bridges, to government buildings, etc.). The pollution is disclosed in an Environmental Product Declaration, (or EPD) which is like a “nutritional label” that describes the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that were created during the manufacturing process. While the Buy Clean California Act only requires state agencies, UCs, and CSUs to comply, city and county governments have the opportunity to adopt similar policies at the local level. These are the steps to organize a successful, local Buy Clean campaign in your community:

4. Buy Clean Campaign Goals
Educate members of the public about the law
2. Support State implementation of the law
3. Advocate for similar policies at the local level
There are three essential goals for a local Buy Clean campaign. The first is to make sure Sierra Club California members and the general public understand what Buy Clean is and how it has been pioneered in California. The second is to make sure there is local support for the state effort. That can include ensuring that local city councils adopt resolutions supporting the state’s implementation of Buy Clean policies and AB 262. The third goal is to encourage local governments and governmental departments to incorporate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into their purchasing decisions. That is, advocating for local governments and departments to establish their own Buy Clean policies.

5. Organizing a Local Campaign
Let Sierra Club CA staff know you are interested in starting a local campaign in your community
Check-in with staff to see if there is already a campaign happening in your area
Educate your friends and allies on Buy Clean
Organize a meeting and invite Sierra Club CA staff to talk about the Buy Clean Campaign
Volunteer to work with the Sierra Club on developing a local Buy Clean Strategy
Receive Buy Clean Campaign Kit
Stay up to date on the campaign by following Sierra Club CA on social media
There’s a lot that Sierra Club activists can do at the local level to help make sure governments are buying clean with taxpayer dollars. This is where you come in. First, let us know that you’re interested in participating in or establishing a Buy Clean campaign in your area. Next, talk to your friends and allies about Buy Clean. Organize a meeting among your network and invite Sierra Club CA to come and present on the campaign. Finally, work with Sierra Club California staff to develop a local strategy for your city and/or county. City and county governments have the opportunity to pass resolutions to encourage the state agencies to implement Buy Clean and they can also adopt similar low-carbon purchasing policies at the local level.

6. Developing a Local Strategy
Buy Clean Campaign Kit
Buy Clean Fact Sheet “How To Organize A Local Campaign” “How To Work With Local Elected Officials” Model Resolution for Buy Clean Media Materials Sample op-eds Sample Letters to the Editor (LTEs) Sample social media postings
Research procurement processes of your local government
Are there any sustainable purchasing policies in place where Buy Clean could be included?
Climate Action Plans (CAP)
Including Buy Clean into the next City/County CAP update
Each local government is different. Many city councilmembers will be willing to pass resolutions supporting a state-level program. It can become more challenging to get local councils to adopt local Buy Clean policies. So start with the easy part first: Get a resolution passed. Then learn about your city’s and/or county’s procurement process, and the types of infrastructure being built. What kind of projects are in the pipeline? How are materials currently purchased for local infrastructure projects? Many cities and counties have adopted or are in the process of developing Climate Action Plans. Become familiar with these plans and try to get Buy Clean policies written in to them when they are updated. Finally, some councils or city departments will be willing to develop and pass Buy Clean policies that ensure greenhouse gas emissions are considered when they buy products for their infrastructure projects.

7. Advocating for Local Policies
Identify councilmembers who would be interested in drafting and introducing a resolution to council
Research members of council
Identify who the “environmental champions” are
Use your connections if you have them
Set up meetings with council members
Bring Sierra Club CA staff with you to meeting (optional)
Include Buy Clean materials (Fact Sheet, Sample Resolution)
Show up and make noise
Write letters to the editor (LTEs), letters to council
Attend council meetings and make public comment in support of Buy Clean
Post on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
This is where the really important stuff comes in. This is where you lobby your city/county government to try to get them to consider and pass a resolution supporting the state’s Buy Clean efforts. If you have any connections to any council members or staff, use them!! Reach out to the folks you know who work for the local government. Set up meetings with them and invite SCC staff to join you in these meetings. Once a resolution has been drafted and is scheduled to be presented to council, start writing letters to council, to local newspapers, posting on social media- basically you’ll want to do whatever you can get the word out and generate excitement for the resolution.

8. RESOURCES Buy Clean Campaign Website:
AB 262 DGS Implementation Website:
AB 262 Bill Text:
Sierra Club CA Facebook:
Sierra Club CA Twitter:

9. Contact Information
Molly Culton
Organizer, Sierra Club CA
Kathryn Phillips
Director, Sierra Club CA