OUR WORK
From policy to practice:
climate-ready schools for every California student
We help California policymakers, agencies, and district leaders adopt, resource, and implement policies that decarbonize school buildings and protect students from extreme weather.
CURRENT PRIORITIES
2026 Policy Agenda
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Establish a regional network of Climate Resilient Schools Coordinators
Regional technical assistance and capacity building via County Offices of Education for LEAs to advance climate-resilient, healthy, cost-efficient schools across California.
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Extend the CalSHAPE program to provide $192M for school HVAC upgrades
Keep remaining CalSHAPE funds flowing to schools for ventilation and HVAC upgrades instead of reverting to utilities.
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Embed climate resilience into existing school planning
Three recommendations to modernize California school safety and planning expectations to align with today’s climate realities, without new appropriations.
OUR TRACK RECORD
Four years of advocating for climate-ready schools
2026
Pushed the Legislature to extend the CalSHAPE program and release the remaining $194 million in funding for HVAC upgrades to schools.
Supported two successful climate-ready schools bills: AB 1653 (Heat illness in the Health Curriculum) and SB 1107 (Supporting Playground Shade Structure Installations)
UndauntedK12 and Ten Strands sponsored successful legislation to create a California State Seal of Climate Literacy (SB 1048)
2025
Published a policy brief, Climate Adaptation and Resilience at California’s K–12 Schools: Actions and Recommendations for State and District Leadership
Shaped Proposition 2 implementation through comments submitted to the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) and implementation guidance and considerations provided to state agencies
Advocated for a $10M grant program for regional support and capacity building to advance climate-resilient, health, efficient schools. Five County Superintendents signed a letter expressing their desire to participate in the grant program if approved.
2024
Legislature passed three climate-ready schools bills co-sponsored and supported by members of the Coalition: SB 1091 (Schoolyard Greening and Shade), SB 1182 (State Master Plan for Climate-Resilient Schools), and SB 1374 (School Solar and Storage). Governor Newsom signed SB 1091 and vetoed SB 1182 and SB 1374.
Voters passed Proposition 2, a $10B school bond, and Proposition 4, a $10B climate bond, both of which were shaped by members of the coalition.
Successfully defeated AB 3121, which would have terminated the CalSHAPE program early.
Earned the 2024 “Best of Green Schools” collaborator award at the National Green Schools Conference.
Published a budget brief, "Modest Investments, Lasting Returns for California Students and Schools”
Held a Virtual Policy Forum: Protecting Student Health and Learning with Heat-Resilient Schools
2023
Published “Climate-Resilient California Schools: A Call to Action”
Introduced SB 394 (Gonzalez): Master Plan for Healthy, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Schools, which passed the legislature 114-1 and was vetoed by Governor Newsom
Held a Virtual Policy Forum on Climate-Resilient California Schools