Policy Advocacy Program

Turning Community Evidence into Systemic Change

Neighborhood-level action creates real, visible improvements. But lasting environmental progress requires changes in policy, regulation, and public investment. TerraFuture's Policy Advocacy Program translates the data we collect and the community knowledge we cultivate into concrete policy campaigns that reshape the systems governing energy, land use, housing, and environmental accountability.

Our approach is distinctive: every policy position we advance is grounded in community-gathered data, resident testimony, and rigorous analysis. We do not lobby in the abstract. We bring the evidence directly from the neighborhoods we serve into city halls, state agencies, and legislative offices.

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Zoning Reform

Land use decisions shape environmental outcomes for decades. TerraFuture advocates for zoning reforms that prioritize green space preservation, mixed-use development, urban agriculture, and equitable transit access. In 2024, our testimony and data analysis contributed to the adoption of a revised green overlay zone in two districts, protecting 180 acres of urban green space from commercial redevelopment and establishing mandatory tree canopy requirements for new construction.

We are currently campaigning for expanded community garden zoning protections that would allow garden sites on publicly owned vacant lots to receive long-term use agreements, ensuring that gardens built by residents are not displaced by speculative development.

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Renewable Energy Procurement

TerraFuture has been a leading voice in campaigns to increase municipal renewable energy procurement. Our data team prepared the economic analysis that supported the city's 2024 commitment to source 60% of municipal electricity from renewable sources by 2030, up from 38%.

We continue to push for policies that extend renewable benefits to residents, including community solar enabling legislation, inclusive financing programs for low-income households, and performance standards for utility-scale renewable projects that include community benefit agreements.

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Green Building Standards

New construction and major renovations represent critical opportunities to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions for decades. TerraFuture advocates for strengthened green building standards that go beyond minimum code compliance to include energy performance benchmarking, embodied carbon disclosure, and electrification-ready requirements.

In 2025, our coalition successfully advocated for the adoption of updated energy performance standards for all new municipal buildings, requiring net-zero-ready design and on-site renewable energy generation. We are now working with private sector partners to develop voluntary green building certification incentives for residential and commercial developers.

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Just Transition Support

The transition to a clean energy economy must not leave workers and communities behind. TerraFuture's just transition advocacy focuses on policies that support workers in fossil fuel-dependent industries, invest in retraining and workforce development, and ensure that the economic benefits of the green economy are broadly shared.

We have partnered with labor organizations and workforce development agencies to advocate for a municipal green jobs training fund, which would provide tuition assistance and living stipends for residents pursuing certifications in solar installation, energy auditing, green building trades, and urban forestry. The proposal is currently under review by the city council, with a vote expected in late 2026.

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Coalition Building

Policy change requires collective power. TerraFuture convenes and participates in coalitions that bring together environmental organizations, community groups, labor unions, public health advocates, faith communities, and resident associations around shared policy goals.

We currently co-lead the Regional Climate Action Coalition, a network of 23 organizations coordinating advocacy on climate resilience, energy equity, and environmental justice across four municipalities. The coalition's combined membership represents more than 40,000 residents and provides a unified platform for community voices in regional policy discussions.

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Impact at a Glance

• 180 acres of urban green space protected through zoning reform
• 60% renewable procurement target adopted by the city (up from 38%)
• Net-zero-ready standards adopted for new municipal buildings
• 23 organizations in the Regional Climate Action Coalition
• 4 municipalities engaged in coordinated regional advocacy
• Green jobs training fund proposal under city council review

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Add Your Voice

TerraFuture's advocacy is powered by community participation. To join an advocacy campaign, attend a policy briefing, or share your neighborhood's story with decision-makers, contact our Policy Advocacy team at policy@terrafuture.org or call (555) 312-8804.