Inquiry with impact

California Air Resource Board logo

Community Insight Team Solicitation to Support the Equitable Development of California Climate Investments Benefits Quantification Methodologies

Para español

California Climate Investments is a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest, formerly Cap-and-Trade, dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthening the economy, improving public health and the environment, and providing benefits to residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households, collectively referred to as priority populations.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is responsible for developing quantification methodologies (QMs) that estimate the GHG emissions reductions and co-benefits from projects funded by California Climate Investments. CARB in partnership with scholars from the Institute for Social Transformation (IST) at University of California, Santa Cruz, is working to improve the QM development and update process. These QMs are critical tools that help CARB estimate GHG emissions reductions benefits and other public health, economic, and environmental co-benefits such as air pollution mitigation, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction, energy efficiency, and affordable housing.

To ensure that QMs reflect not only scientific rigor but also community realities, CARB and IST are convening a Community Insight Team (CIT) to provide ongoing guidance and community-grounded insight throughout the development process of the QMs identified below (2025–2026). The team will play a key advisory role by offering input on equity, accessibility, usability, and environmental justice implications during the development of QMs.

UCSC is inviting applications from individuals with lived experience, local expertise, and/or leadership in environmental or climate justice, public health, affordable housing development, active transportation, or sustainable communities to serve on the  Community Insight Team in this process. We are aiming for a total of 5-6 community experts who will meet approximately quarterly (3 or 4 times during the QM development process) and be compensated for their time and insights through honoraria. Commitments will vary based on the complexity of each QM, but are anticipated to be $140/hr for roughly 8-12 hours per QM. Compensation will be provided for both modest preparation for and attendance at virtual meetings. Depending on the individual’s expertise, they may be considered to work across more than one QM.

Background, What Are Quantification Methods (QMs), Who Should Apply, and Eligibility Requirements

Learn about the background and qualifications

Background

CARB’s QMs are critical for reporting the benefits of California Climate Investments projects to the public and the legislature. The goal of this solicitation is to incorporate a more robust community engagement process during the QM development and update process and to ground truth methods with community experiences. The Community Insight Team process aims to  integrate interdisciplinary expertise with grounded community input.

This opportunity specifically supports the review of two key portions of the CARB quantification methodologies for the California Strategic Growth Council Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. AHSC funds affordable housing and transportation projects close to jobs, schools, and other daily destinations to help California meet both its climate and equity goals. The AHSC QM and benefits calculator tool estimates total GHG reductions from new housing development, transit and active transportation strategies, and solar PV installations.

  • QM1: Quantifying VMT Reductions from New Housing Projects — This methodology calculates VMT reductions from new housing projects to estimate GHG emissions reductions and other co-benefits. See “A. Emissions reductions from Affordable Housing Development and Residential Subsidies” in the AHSC QM for more information.
  • QM2: Quantifying VMT Reductions from New Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure — This methodology evaluates GHG emissions reductions and other co-benefits associated with new bike paths, lanes, cycle tracks (Class I, II, and IV facilities), pedestrian facilities, including sidewalks and shared-use Class I bicycle paths. It includes literature-backed methods and empirical data to calculate VMT reductions and modal shift away from car use. AHSC uses the methods in the Clean Mobility Benefits Quantification Methodology to estimate benefits from bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, see B.5 and B.6 in the Clean Mobility QM for more information.

To support this work, IST is leading the development of a new approach to QMs that will be informed by:

  • Technical experts and researchers (Technical Review Teams)
  • Agency partners and practitioners
  • And Community Insight Team, who will provide recommendations for incorporating of equity, accessibility, usability, and real-world lived experiences into the QM development and update process (this solicitation).

What are Quantification Methods (QMs)?

Quantification Methodologies (QMs) are analytical tools used to estimate the climate, economic, environmental, and public health benefits of California Climate Investments programs. They measure benefits such as:

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions
  • Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reductions
  • Air pollutant emissions reductions
  • Energy savings or generation
  • Travel cost savings
  • Change in the incidence of health outcomes such as premature cardiopulmonary mortality, heart attacks, asthma symptoms, and cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations

Who Should Apply to be on the Community Insight Team?

We encourage applications from individuals who have firsthand experience with the kinds of impacts that California Climate Investments aim to address—whether through advocacy, community leadership, personal lived experience, or professional work. This could include, but is not limited to:

  • Environmental justice advocates
  • Public health workers or organizers
  • Community leaders or organizers
  • Nonprofit staff
  • Youth leaders
  • Elders with lived experience
  • Tribal representatives and leaders
  • Practitioners or advocates working on sustainable transportation, active transportation, affordable housing, or climate justice

Desired Expertise

Qualified applicants do not need to have technical expertise but should broadly understand the basis for and be conversant in the emerging technical and scientific concepts of land-use planning, sustainable communities, affordable housing, active transportation, or climate mitigation or resilience. Experience with the AHSC program, affordable housing, or active transportation projects in your community is also relevant. We are also looking for individuals who can bring valuable insight on questions like:

  • Are the QM assumptions, inputs, and outputs reflective of the real outcomes or benefits of affordable housing and active transportation projects experienced by communities?
  • How can the usability and user experience of the AHSC benefits calculator tool be improved?
  • How should we measure benefits of affordable housing and active transportation developments beyond just emissions and VMT reductions? (see here for a list of existing identified co-benefits and assessment methodologies)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should:

  • Be a resident of California, affiliated with a California Tribal Government and/or have significant knowledge and experience of California communities.
  • Represent or have close ties to a disadvantaged or low-income communities or households, or community impacted by pollution, climate-related natural disasters, or historic disinvestment
  • Be available to attend virtual meetings
  • Have experience advocating for or supporting affordable housing and active transportation investments or their community’s health, environment, or well-being

We especially encourage applicants from disadvantaged and/or unincorporated communities and tribal lands.

 Please note there is a limit to one individual per organization/CBO sitting on the Community Insight Team (not including coalitions, who may have members representing different groups). However, there can be more than one individual from the same community; this will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any individual who is part of an existing CARB advisory committee (e.g., Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, Research Screening Committee, AB 617 Consultation Group, and Scientific Review Panel on Toxic Air Contaminants) cannot apply.

Scope of Work, Expectations, Time Commitment and Compensation

Understand your commitments

Scope of Work and Expectations

Community Insight Team members will lend their insight and lived expertise to help ensure that the Quantification Methodologies (QMs) developed by CARB in partnership with UCSC and Technical Review Teams are grounded in real-world conditions, consider equity and environmental justice priorities, and are accessible and usable to frontline communities.

The Community Insight Team will provide feedback through written comments and/or verbal input during meetings and other collaborative spaces. Their input will directly inform draft methodologies, project communications, and/or the final project report.

Each Community Insight Team member will:

  • Collaborate with fellow Community Insight Team members, IST researchers, and CARB staff to provide recommendations and ground truth the QMs with community-grounded and equity-centered insights.
  • Attend 4 virtual meetings per QM (via Zoom) across the project period to provide structured feedback, participate in discussion, and shape recommendations.
  • Review and provide input on draft methodologies, project summaries, or evaluation tools, with modest preparation expected in advance of meetings.
  • Offer expertise on racial equity and environmental justice (EJ)—drawing on personal, professional, or community-based experience—including barriers and solutions for more equitable benefits quantification.
  • Advise on how to embed equity and community engagement into QM development and update processes, including how agencies can better measure co-benefits beyond emissions.
  • Share insights on the accessibility, effectiveness, and real-world impacts of affordable housing and active transportation projects from a community perspective.
  • Support additional outreach or input-gathering, when feasible, within their community or networks to amplify a diversity of perspectives.
  • Conduct work remotely.

Time Commitment and Compensation

  • Timeline: October 2025 – May 2026
  • Members will be compensated for about three, one-hour meetings per QM, plus 1 – 2 hours to review draft materials prior to each meeting
  • Asynchronous written review and feedback are expected in between meetings
  • All meetings will be conducted virtually
  • Members will receive $140/hr compensation for their time and expertise

Application Process, Scoring Rubric, and Criteria

View and submit the application

Application Process

Apply Here

If you are interested in supporting the equitable development of CARB’s QMs on the Community Insight Team, please submit your application by 5:00 P.M. PST on September 30, 2025.

  • Your application should include a completed Application Form and your uploaded “Statement of Interest” and Resume/CV (optional).
  • If you have questions, you can reach out to Darío León (dariol@ucsc.edu) with the subject title “Community Insight Team.”
  • By early October 2025, the most qualified candidates will be contacted to move forward in this process.

Application Scoring Criteria

The Community Insight Team application will be scored using the criteria below.

  • Interest: Applicant communicates their specific interest to pursuing the objectives described in the solicitation and scope of work.
  • Experience: Applicant demonstrates experience engaging stakeholders and other public entities from racially disadvantaged communities and/or communities impacted by environmental inequity and/or climate change.
  • Application of Experiences: Applicant’s written responses draw links between their experience and relevance to the contracting position.

Priority will be placed on applicants with a demonstrated commitment to or lived experience with racial equity and environmental justice and to those who live and/or work in low-income and disadvantaged communities. We encourage people with lived and non-traditional experiences in advocating for their own or others’ racial and/or environmental equity to apply.

Scoring Rubric and Criteria

The application consists of three questions. Each question has a maximum of 10 points, for a total of 30 points. The rubric for each application question is provided below.

Question 1: Do you live in or does your organization represent an environmentally disadvantaged or low-income community? CARB’s Priority Populations Map identifies specific vulnerable communities according to SB 535 (Disadvantaged community designation), AB 1550 (Low-income definitions), and disadvantaged community Tribal land areas which you are encouraged to reference. If so, which one/ones. (250 words)

Guide to using the map: 1) locate the search bar, it is on the upper left-hand side of the screen; 2) type your location [e.g., zip code, address, city, or census tract]; 3) click on your census tract, a box will appear with the designations identifying your census tract as disadvantaged, low-income, and/or disadvantaged communities Tribal lands.  

  • The applicant will receive 10 points if they answer the question fully, and if they live in or work in an SB 535 or AB 1550 disadvantaged or low-income community, Tribal land areas, or can otherwise demonstrate living in or representing an environmentally disadvantaged community.
  • The applicant will receive 5 points if they answer the question fully, and they do not live in or work in a SB 535 or AB 1550 disadvantaged or low-income community, Tribal land areas, but the applicant is the only applicant from a certain region of the state that is not represented by another applicant. This will help provide a regional balance of community partners.
  • The applicant will receive 3 points if they answer the question fully, but they do not live in a SB 535 or AB 1550 disadvantaged or low-income community, Tribal land areas, and there are multiple applicants from their region.
  • The applicant will receive 0 points if they do not answer the question.

Question 2:   Why are you interested in shaping how California Climate Investments measures climate, active transportation, or affordable housing project benefits? How does your skillset match the description of the eligibility requirements and desired expertise? (250 words)

  • The applicant will receive 7-10 points if they answer the question fully and clearly, and if they provide strong rationale related to criteria.
  • The applicant will receive 1-6 points if they do not answer the question fully and clearly, but they do provide some rationale related to criteria.
  • The applicant will receive 0 points if they do not answer the question.

Question 3: What strengths or experiences would you bring to a collaborative advisory team working to inform California Climate Investment methods and tools? (250 words)

Please share examples of any experience you have participating in community meetings, giving feedback, representing local voices, or working in cross-sector teams.

  • The applicant will receive 7-10 points if they answer the question fully and clearly, and if they provide strong examples of experience working within their community.
  • The applicant will receive 1-6 points if they do not answer the question fully and clearly, but they do provide some examples of details about experience with community engagement.
  • The applicant will receive 0 points if they do not answer the question.