A newly formed consortium, the Monterey Bay Regional Climate Project Working Group (RCPWG), is making strides in addressing climate change through collaborative efforts among local jurisdictions. Established last year, the group includes Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties, along with the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz, and is set to welcome Capitola next fiscal year. The initiative aims to leverage federal and state funding to secure significant climate investments, with over $30 million in grants written in 2023 alone.

The RCPWG emphasizes equity and community engagement in its decision-making processes. Recently, the group conducted a project funded by the Urban Sustainability Director's Network, which included workshops with community-based organizations (CBOs) and environmental justice groups. The workshops aimed to foster equitable decision-making and resulted in a guidance document and eight commitments to enhance collaboration with these groups.

Council member Tiffany Wise-West highlighted the importance of building trust and relationships with CBOs, noting that the group's efforts are largely unknown to the public. The RCPWG is now transitioning to focus on developing climate adaptation and funding plans, ensuring that mutual priorities are addressed across all participating organizations.

Support for the RCPWG was echoed by community members during the meeting, with several speakers emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable approaches to climate investments. The group has already secured nearly $3 million in funding and aims to continue its work through 2027, reinforcing the commitment to addressing climate challenges while centering equity in its initiatives.

The city council is expected to vote on a resolution to affirm continued funding for the RCPWG, which has garnered widespread support from local stakeholders.