Planning can take several forms. There are three specific types of plans that a community may wish to engage in.
There is no one right approach for every community. Each community is unique in its current situation, goals, resources, priorities, and interests. Depending on where a specific community is, one of the following four planning approaches may be appropriate.
- Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
- Air Quality Management Plan
- Greenhouse Gas Action Plan
- Community Energy Plan
| Plans | Integrated Community Sustainability Plan | Air Quality Management Plan | Greenhouse Gas Action Plan | Community Energy Plan |
| Typical Scope | Broadest scope. All elements of community sustainability. Can include energy. | All or priority emissions to air. Can include GHG's. Targets for air quality and plans to meet them. | Narrowest scope. Identification of GHG emissions, targets for reductions, plans to meet targets. May not encompass all energy considerations (ie electricity) | Energy use across the community, targets for future energy use and plans to get there. Not as broad as an ICSP, broader than a GHGAP. |
| Output | Provides a complete picture including the inter-relationships between elements | Provides a roadmap to cleaner air. Easy to link to health outcomes. | Provides a roadmap for addressing GHG emission, likely over multiple years. Can be a way to engage the community in energy and climate change. | Provides a full picture of energy in a community, links to other decision-areas such as land-use. Provides a roadmap for the most effective deployment of resources to reduce energy use and/or move to renewables. |
| Notes | Maintaining focus and momentum is key since the large scope could lead to "analysis paralysis" | Many local governments have completed AQMP's and refresh them regularly. | Required for PCP milestone. Potential for inefficient fuel-switching if not careful. | May meet PCP requirements. |
