Engage in the Climate Investment Plan (CIP) development process

Information

Portlanders will have multiple opportunities to have a say in the development of the first-ever Climate Investment Plan (CIP). We need every voice, especially those most impacted by climate change, to make sure PCEF’s investments are working toward a climate-resilient future.

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Help guide our funding priorities

Public engagement is focused on ten funding priorities, which are based on City Council direction during recent code improvements and the original ballot initiative.

Two priorities are on a different and faster track for development upon request by City Council when they evaluated and updated the PCEF program in October 2022. Draft strategy documents for these fast-tracked programs are available for public comment now through March 2, 2023.

Learn more about the fast-tracked programs and provide feedback

The remaining eight funding priorities are on a separate timeline for development and completion. The public engagement process spans from December 2022 until July 2023 when the PCEF Committee is anticipated to make a recommendation for City Council approval in September 2023.

Participate in the Climate Investment Plan development process

There are four major rounds of input in the CIP development process:

Round 1: Project overview and accessibility survey (completed January 2023)

Before launching efforts to write a plan, we listened to what you needed to participate in the Climate Investment Plan process. Read the recap of what you told us and how we’ve responded.

Round 2: Community visioning and priorities (in progress)

We heard from a diverse range of stakeholders to develop a vision of what’s possible when we invest in community-grounded solutions to address the climate crisis.

We hosted three public workshops to collect input: one for community members, one for nonprofits, and an open virtual session. Also available was an online survey that asked the same questions as the public workshops, which provided an additional avenue for engagement. Roundtable conversations with subject matter experts were also convened to inform our strategies and solutions.

Round 3. Preliminary draft (March to April 2023)

Using information collected from workshops, subject-matter roundtables, relevant community studies, research, and best practices, a preliminary draft of the Climate Investment Plan will be released for public review and comment. The preliminary draft will contain proposed funding allocations, strategies, and goals. The following opportunities are available to provide input on the preliminary draft, which was released on March 14:

Round 4. Full Climate Investment Plan draft (May 2023)

After considering comments from the preliminary draft, PCEF staff will refine a full draft of the Climate Investment Plan and circulate it for public review and comment. The full draft will contain more detail on program elements and updated goals and strategies. The following opportunities will be offered:

May 2-16, 2023: Public comment period open for the full Climate Investment Plan draft
May 4: Virtual information session explaining the full Climate Investment Plan draft
May 11: In-person community conversation
May 15: Virtual listening session

Apply for the community review panel

Two community review panels are being formed to provide high-level feedback on the preliminary draft and full draft during Round 3 and Round 4:

Frontline communities panel
Youth panel

Based on information from the accessibility survey, we designed these two tracks to provide intentional space to support individuals to participate fully in discussions. We expect panelists will include a mix of community members and nonprofit staff.

Review panel participants provide high-level feedback on the draft plans based on PCEF’s guiding principles.

Learn more about the review panels

Read about Topic Roundtables

As part of the CIP process, PCEF staff will be convening roundtables for each funding priority (or topic) in the Climate Investment Plan to create robust first drafts for public review and comment. Roundtables are limited to two 2-hour long meetings that will inform the development of goals, outcomes, eligibility criteria, and funding levels for this topic area along with public input from the community visioning and priorities workshops and stakeholder input. An incentive of $300 for participation in both roundtable meetings can be provided for those selected.

When roundtables conclude in early March, participants are encouraged to continue to provide feedback within the CIP process.

How are roundtable participants selected?

The number of participants is limited to approximately eight individuals to encourage deeper feedback and critical deliberation on program elements to provide thoughtful drafts for public review. Considerations for selection are:

Specialized expertise including priority population* perspectives.
Play a potential role in implementation.
Availability to participate fully.
Demonstrated community involvement.

*PCEF priority populations are people with low income and people of color; priority populations for workforce and contractor development projects also include people with disabilities, women, and other people experiencing gender or sex-based discrimination in the workplace.

When will roundtable participants be notified?

Roundtable participants will be selected by January 9 for equitable tree canopy, regulated multi-family affordable housing, and building community-based organizational capacity. The remaining topic area participants are aimed to be selected by January 23.