We’re creating climate solutions for all
The threat of climate change demands urgent action and innovative solutions. In a time of historic investment in the transition of our energy economy, it’s imperative that we address long-standing financial barriers, ineffective community engagement, and inequitable distribution of resources. HR&A’s Climate Practice is dedicated to tackling these challenges head-on by designing and managing plans, policies, and programs that help create resilient and sustainable communities and cities. We work to create pathways to decarbonization, steward blue and green economies, and help clients adapt to a changing climate.
Effective climate strategies require fostering dialogue among policy makers, market actors, and local communities. When working with the people whose lives will be impacted by our efforts, we co-create strategies by stripping away the technical jargon to build shared meaning and garner input. We help our clients align community needs, market realities, and public policy to create thriving green economies, resilient communities, and healthy and sustainable futures for all.
Keep readingCreating Pathways to Decarbonization
We understand the policies and economics that shape both decarbonization and real estate, which informs a bespoke approach to charting effective decarbonization pathways to reducing emissions. We help clients worldwide — city and state agencies, utilities, building owners, and more — to invest in decarbonization. Our work is underpinned by robust financial analysis and market engagement to evaluate the return on investment and community impact for implementing tailored decarbonization strategies at scale, program design to deliver innovative financing and technical assistance, and implementation and transaction support to advance and expand programs.
New York City Public Solar Program
To accelerate New York City’s equitable clean energy transition, HR&A has been helping the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) and the Office of the Comptroller to assess the feasibility of Public Solar NYC (PSNYC) — NYC’s first public solar program targeted to Low-to-Moderate Income residents. The City’s new solar program has already secured $250 million in federal funding and will contribute to a more climate-resilient and equitable NYC. Learn more…
State of Washington Weatherization Program
The State of Washington engaged HR&A Advisors to conduct a Needs Assessment for Equitable Energy Assistance to better serve thousands of low-income households that face high energy costs and unhealthy living conditions at home. HR&A presented 15 recommendations and a roadmap to achieve equitable decarbonization by 2050, informed by voices of environmentally burdened communities across the state. Learn more…
Con Edison Building Decarbonization Incentive Strategy and Marketing
Since 2020, HR&A has supported Con Edison’s strategy for incentivizing building decarbonization throughout New York City and Westchester County. Leveraging our deep experience in New York City real estate and our quantitative modeling capabilities, we are helping Con Edison achieve the ambitious goals of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which commits the State to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050. Learn more…
Nationwide Initiative to Accelerate Energy Upgrades for Affordable Housing
As part of the Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) partnership, HR&A is providing training and capacity building assistance for awardees of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP). Separate from this work, R2E2 provides technical assistance to state and local governments, community-based organizations, and other entities to jumpstart energy retrofit programs for both single family and multifamily low- to moderate-income housing (“LMI” housing), especially in frontline communities. Learn more…
Stewarding Blue and Green Economies
As the world shifts towards low-carbon and carbon-free economies, there are significant opportunities to create jobs, grow businesses, and build wealth in communities. Blue and green economies offer a chance to build a more inclusive labor market, especially for marginalized communities that have historically been left behind. We partner with governments, educational institutions, and private clients to craft solutions and develop economic and workforce strategies that link climate action with inclusive green and blue economic development.
Reimagine Ravenswood: Just Transition Site Reuse Planning in Long Island City
The Long Island City northern waterfront currently hosts the Ravenswood Generating Station, the largest fossil fuel plant in New York City, providing over 20% of the City’s local power capacity. After Rise Light & Power committed to transforming it into a renewable energy hub, the Office of the Queens Borough President brought on HR&A to lead “Reimagine Ravenswood,” a community-driven site reuse, neighborhood improvement, and workforce development planning process to guide a just transition to an inclusive clean energy economy in western Queens. Learn more…
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Green Jobs Impact Study and Transportation Electrification Partnership
HR&A has supported the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) since 2017 to drive investment and strategic partnerships across Los Angeles County to realize its goal of reaching 600,000 green jobs by 2050. HR&A’s collaboration with LACI began with a Green Jobs Study to quantify and characterize the green economy in Los Angeles County, essential for setting workforce goals and strategies. Simultaneously, we provided strategic support to the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), to organize local, regional, and state stakeholders around a series of goals and commitments to accelerate zero emissions transportation. HR&A continues to support LACI through the Green Jobs Regional Partnership, which seeks to develop strategies to ensure the region has the workforce necessary to realize its TEP goals and capitalize on historic investments in the cleantech ecosystem. Learn more…
CVCF Central Valley Clean Energy Community Benefits Planning
HR&A supported the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) in its Spring Sprint to prepare a Regional Investment Plan for the Sierra San Joaquin Valley as part of California’s Jobs First initiative. The region, comprised of Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties, is expected to generate a disproportionate share of California’s renewable energy needs and required a community benefits framework to ensure that future private investments will benefit local residents and advance equity. Learn more…
Adapting to a Changing Climate
Every city and community must plan for how they’ll adapt to our changing climate, and we help our clients understand how. The first step is acknowledging that effective adaption isn’t just about climate. It requires multidisciplinary thinking around how issues like finance, design, engineering, and policy come together to shape infrastructure investment, land use, housing, and community and economic development. With experts working in all of those sectors, we help clients understand the big picture: who is impacted today, who is at risk, how will that change in the future, and what can we do today to minimize future risk?
We quantify impacts, advise on funding and financing for adaptation, and create comprehensive plans that scale from the macro level of entire states down to the micro level of individual neighborhoods. These plans aren’t made to sit on a shelf. They’re designed to help clients hit the ground running with practical solutions, ensuring communities are better prepared for climate challenges as they build more resilient systems and resources that serve everyone.
Keep readingHonolulu Climate Financial Risk Assessment and Funding Strategies
HR&A is supporting the City and County of Honolulu to assess the City’s climate-related financial risks and define strategies for funding and budgeting vital adaptation measures. As climate hazards like coastal erosion, flooding, and hurricanes become more frequent and severe, this initiative marks a significant opportunity for Honolulu to safeguard its future by investing in resilient infrastructure and long-term solutions. Learn more…
NYC Climate Adaptation Roadmap
HR&A supported the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) to develop the AdaptNYC initiative, including a Climate Adaptation Roadmap, a led a multi-disciplinary team to summarize and forecast climate impacts to New Yorkers through 2100, including how particular hazards (extreme heat, extreme storms, chronic flooding) will impact people’s health, homes, mobility, economy, culture, and community. The work addressed systemic and institutional racism disproportionately impacting New Yorkers of color. Learn more…
South Africa Metro Investments Private Participation
As part of an engagement with the World Bank Cities Resilience Program and the National Treasury of South Africa, and in partnership with local public policy consulting firm PDG, HR&A helped seven South African metropolitan governments advance a suite of nine resilient infrastructure and renewable energy projects, including stormwater management, river catchment rehabilitation, energy storage, and waste management. Learn more…
Plan and Financial Analysis for a Climate Resilient Lower Manhattan
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency and the New York City Economic Development Corporation engaged HR&A to develop a strategic plan for Lower Manhattan as part of the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project following Superstorm Sandy. Our work led to capital projects with over $1.7 billion in committed funds, as well as the innovative FiDi and Seaport Climate Resilience Plan. Learn more…