About the Collaborative
The Collaborative is a cross-sector network and community of practice for public agencies, academia, nonprofit and community-based organizations, and business and community leaders to advance regional solutions to climate change through resource and expertise sharing, joint-funding opportunities, and partnership development.
Vision for a Resilient Santa Clara County
We envision a Santa Clara County where diverse stakeholders come together to partner on and coordinate regional strategies to combat climate change and protect people and the natural environment, while advancing strategies to eliminate inequities and improve quality of life for all.
Achieve Net Zero Emissions
Set ambitious targets to decrease greenhouse gas emissions countrywide and across local jurisdictions
Empower Communities to Build Resilience to Climate Change
Apply a community centered approach to mitigate impacts of climate threats and build the capacity to withstand and recover from events
Prepare Communities for Extreme Heat and Impaired Air Quality
Help communities reduce the impacts of extreme heat and impaired air quality through a multifaceted approach
Decrease Flood Risk
Undertake collaborative efforts between public agencies and communities for flood risk elimination
Impact Area Outcomes
Collaborative Activities
Santa Clara County benefits from a vibrant ecosystem of actors, including government and public agencies, academic institutions, philanthropies, community-based organizations, and businesses, whom all contribute individually to the region’s resilience. Through the formation of a regional collaborative, we work to empower organizations to build strong partnerships to support alignment in decision-making, policy implementation, and program development consistent with state and local climate priorities. This is an informal collaboration and not a separate body, organization, or entity.
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The Collaborative is guided by the following four principles:
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Principle 1: Sustain a diverse impact network of staff from Santa Clara County public agencies and organizations to advance regional climate projects, programs and policies.
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Principle 2: Develop and formalize partnerships to coordinate and fund programs and projects that enhance the county’s ability to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
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Principle 3: Empower communities through inclusive decision-making processes that provide culturally responsive engagement and capacity building to support the integration of equity and climate justice in the Collaborative.
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Principle 4: Prioritize natural and nature-based climate solutions to promote regional resilience.
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The Collaborative convenes for two countywide meetings a year, provides connections to regional and statewide initiatives, coordinates topic or project-specific work groups, and maintains a website and online portal for resource sharing.
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An appointed Leadership Advisory Team, made up of climate leaders from public agencies, academia, nonprofit and community-based organizations, serves as the primary governing and decision-making body for the Collaborative. Meet the Leadership Advisory Team.
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The County of Santa Clara Office of Sustainability provides fiscal and administrative support for the Collaborative.
Collaborative Partners
Public Agencies
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City of Campbell
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City of Cupertino
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City of Los Altos
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City of Palo Alto
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City of San Jose
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City of Sunnyvale
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City of Milpitas
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City of Mountain View
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North Santa Clara Resource Conservation District
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San Mateo County Transit District (Caltrain)
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Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
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Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
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Santa Clara Valley Water
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Town of Los Altos Hills
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Town of Los Gatos
​Organizations
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Alviso in Action
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Breathe California
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Climate Resilient Communities
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Canopy
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Coastal Quest
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Collaborating Agencies' Disaster Relief Effort (CADRE)
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Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services (CARAS)
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Dayenu Circle of Jewish Silicon Valley
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Greenbelt Alliance
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Green Foothills
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Lighthouse Silicon Valley
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Our City Forest
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Save the Bay
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Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
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Silicon Valley Community Foundation
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Silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC)
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Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
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Stanford University
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Sustainable Silicon Valley
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The Tenacious Group
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Veggielution
Work Groups
As a supportive function of the Collaborative, work groups have been formed to delve deeper into key topics. The work groups and the topics will evolve over time based on Collaborative needs and interests.
These work groups are open to Collaborative members as well as other individuals and organizations interested in participating. Below is a summary of the currently active work groups.
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Apply & Join the Collaborative
The Collaborative welcomes representatives from the following organizations based in Santa Clara County:
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Local and Regional Public Agencies: staff of local jurisdictions, special districts, and metropolitan planning organizations.
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Non-profit Organizations: staff of not-for-profit faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, social advocacy groups, or foundations.
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Tribes-tribal communities or native-led organizations.
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Academic Institutions: staff of academic or research institutions.
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For-profit organizations*: private businesses and firms, based in Santa Clara County.
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Joining The Collaborative
All organizations will sign a Commitment Letter to join the Collaborative and to demonstrate their commitment to working jointly with other members to advance the Collaborative vision and goals by dedicating staff time, sharing information, and coordinating efforts. For-profit organizations will be required to sign an Affiliate Commitment letter that specifies the terms and expectations of their participation in the Collaborative.
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To learn more about the Collaborative or how to participate, complete the form below. To join the Collaborative email the signed Commitment Letter to sustainability@ceo.sccgov.org
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*For-profit organizations can attend Collaborative meetings and participate in work groups (see above) of the Collaborative, but are not eligible to be appointed to a leadership position or serve as work group chair.