2022 Impact Report: Looking Back, Forging Ahead

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Foreword

States are critical in accelerating the transition to a zero-emissions economy, which is why Climate XChange (CXC) is focused on helping states access federal funding and pass equitable climate policies. In a year of unprecedented progress — with the passing of the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and major policy advancements at the state level — we continued to empower state actors with information and resources to push for critical climate action. 

Climate XChange’s impact model makes us unique; through our programs and resources, we amplify and enrich the work of climate actors across the country. Our State Climate Policy Network has an audience of more than 18,000 state and local policymakers, advocates, and other movement leaders, and in 2022, we partnered with other prominent organizations to share vital information and tools to advance state climate policy. At the heart of Climate XChange’s resources is our knowledge engine — our State Climate Policy Dashboard, the most comprehensive publicly accessible policy database. The Dashboard is powered by information from more than 100 contributing organizations and helps identify the best opportunities for state actors to develop effective and equitable climate policies. In addition to facilitating nationwide climate policies, we’re on the ground in Maryland, committed to pursuing environmental justice by passing the Climate Crisis and Environmental Justice Act.  

I joined Climate XChange in March 2022 and couldn’t be more proud of what our team has accomplished since then, Last summer, we started developing our 5-Year Strategic Plan to reassess our priorities and  ensure we make the greatest impact. This report shows that our small and nimble team has made great strides in delivering powerful results while forging a clear path for our organization’s future. I am excited about what the future holds! 

We are grateful to our donors, the foundations that have supported our work, and our partners who inspire us. In the year ahead, CXC will continue diversifying its income sources by reaching out to foundations that share our values and principles while building upon the success of our annual EV Raffle to fund  exciting new programs in our impactful strategic plan. Our efforts are bolstered by the invaluable advice and entrepreneurial spirit of our Board and its commitment to Climate XChange’s mission. I am deeply thankful  for their continued leadership and support.

Paola Ferreira Miani, Executive Director

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to achieve a rapid and equitable transition towards a zero-emissions economy by advancing state climate policy.

We empower state and local policy makers, business leaders, and advocates with the information, resources, and networks they need to make these policies a reality in a way that best serves local communities.

A hand holding a yellow square with the top of a wind turbine placing the square onto a grid of other yellow squares to represent policy stacking

Greg Casto, Climate XChange

Our Values

Science-based

Impact-driven

Committed to justice, equity, and diversity

Led by empathy

Collaborative

Our Work

We support state actors’ efforts to pass climate policies through three main areas of focus:

State Climate Policy Network

An online network that serves to increase interstate collaboration and empower state actors working on climate policy.

State Climate Policy Dashboard

A comprehensive public database tracking more than 65 climate policies across all 50 states.

Direct Advocacy in Maryland

We organize a diverse coalition of stakeholders in Maryland to pass environmental justice legislation in the state.

Climate XChange staff during our Strategic Planning Workshop in Boston, MA.

Climate XChange staff during our Strategic Planning Workshop in Boston, MA.

State Climate Policy Network

At its core, the State Climate Policy Network (SCPN) exists to help climate movement leaders meet their needs. We offer digital programs such as monthly national policy calls and webinars, quarterly legislator discussions, a biweekly newsletter, and policy assistance, each designed to facilitate connection and collaboration among state legislators, nonprofit advocates, government officials, and researchers in the climate space. In 2022, we grew the SCPN in both quantity and quality, deepened our relationships with network actors, and developed robust partnerships with other leading organizations to support the climate movement.

The SCPN audience is also offered a direct line to our staff experts and organizational partners to help advance their work. Our team provides technical policy assistance, collaborates with external partners to answer questions, and connects actors to other stakeholders working through similar issues.

In 2022, we fulfilled 47 assistance requests from legislators, executive branch officials, advocates, and technical experts working in 31 states, including many multistate and national requests. Some notable services have included helping NGOs and legislators draft new bills, training executive branch officials on tracking state climate policy and developing model language using our State Climate Policy Dashboard, producing custom policy analysis for national organizations and state coalitions, and connecting state actors on specific campaigns to collaborate within and across state lines.

Program Achievements

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Actors

18,217

Actors in the State Climate Policy Network

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Membership Increase

12%

Increase in SCPN Membership

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Webinars

7

Deep Dive Webinars

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Attendees (web)

185

Average Attendees Per Webinar

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Phone

9

National Policy Calls Hosted

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Attendees (phone)

130

Average Attendees Per Call

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Phone

4

State Legislator Climate Solutions Calls

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Attendees (phone)

58

Average Attendees Per Call

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Assistance Requests

47

Assistance Requests Fulfilled by CXC Staff

2022_Impact_Report_Icons_Open Rate

32%

Open Rate for our Biweekly Newsletter

Program Achievements

18,217

Actors in the State Climate Policy Network

12%

Increase in SCPN Membership

7

Deep Dive Webinars

185

Average Attendees Per Webinar

9

National Policy Calls Hosted

130

Average Attendees Per Call

4

State Legislator Climate Solutions Calls

58

Average Attendees Per Call

47

Assistance Requests Fulfilled by CXC Staff

32%

Open Rate for our Biweekly Newsletter

The SCPN Has Members in All 50 States

Greg Casto, Climate XChange

State Climate Policy Dashboard

In 2021, we launched the State Climate Policy Dashboard — the most comprehensive publicly accessible database tracking 65+ climate policies across all 50 states, with quarterly updates. Since launching, the Dashboard has seen more than 50,000 pageviews by climate actors and has been cited in dozens of research reports, articles, and policy tools.

Our new Dashboard Digest article series dives deeper into each policy that we track. So far we’ve published 13 articles on electricity and building policies from energy storage and shared renewables to utility reform and energy efficiency.

65+

Policies

50

States

50,000

Pageviews

100+

Organizations Featured

100+

Dashboard citations and shared by the EPA, The New York Times, and ACEEE

Our new Dashboard Digest article series dives deeper into each policy that we track. So far we’ve published 13 articles on electricity and building policies from energy storage and shared renewables to utility reform and energy efficiency.

100+

Dashboard citations and shared by the EPA, The New York Times, and ACEEE

Thank You!

The Dashboard features the work of more than 100 organizations, but we’d like to thank our key contributors for sharing data and resources:

  • American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
  • Center for a New Energy Economy
  • National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
  • Lawyers for Good Government
  • The League of American Bicyclists
  • Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
  • RMI 
  • Georgetown Climate Center
  • LPDD

Dashboard Policy Areas

Dashboard Policy Areas

Climate Governance & Equity

11 Policies

Adaptation & Resilience

11 Policies

Electricity

10 Policies

Buildings & Efficiency

10 Policies

Transportation

14 Policies

Agriculture

4 Policies

Industry, Materials & Waste Management

6 Policies

Thank You!

The Dashboard features the work of more than 100 organizations, but we’d like to thank our key contributors for sharing data and resources:

  • American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
  • Center for a New Energy Economy
  • National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
  • Lawyers for Good Government
  • The League of American Bicyclists
  • Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
  • RMI 
  • Georgetown Climate Center
  • LPDD

Pursuing Environmental Justice in Maryland

In 2022, Maryland passed strong greenhouse gas reduction goals, proving the state is a national leader on climate policy. But Maryland’s climate commitment is only the first step, and  it’s crucial that as the state’s economy becomes cleaner, historically underserved communities are no longer left behind. 

Our team leads the Rebuild Maryland Coalition, a diverse group of stakeholders working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, hold polluters responsible for the damage they have caused, and put frontline communities first. Our main priority is to pass the Climate Crisis and Environmental Justice Act (CCEJ) which will enhance the state’s greenhouse gas targets by holding polluters accountable while funding programs that support our most vulnerable communities. 

The CCEJ establishes a strong fee on polluters, increasing each year while raising money for key climate programs in the state. The revenue raised by the CCEJ will go towards a Benefit Fund, protecting disproportionately affected households and energy-intensive businesses, and an Infrastructure Fund, which invests in initiatives that improve overall public health and welfare. 

Maryland Regional Director Wandra Ashley-Williams speaking at an Annapolis rally.

Last Year

We Made Strides

  • Secured the endorsement from the new chair of the Education, Energy, and Environmental Committee.
  • Hosted a policy forum that included six of the then-gubernatorial candidates.
  • Sponsored a rally at the University of Maryland with nearly 50 students, community members, and climate activists. Over a dozen students now volunteer for the Rebuild Maryland Coalition to take action on the climate crisis.

Next Year

Roadmap to Victory

In the next year, our team will focus on strengthening the support for the CCEJ by engaging with legislators, nonprofits, businesses, and voters to show how this funding will make our communities healthier and strengthen local economies. And as we increase the membership of the Rebuild Maryland Coalition, we’ll ensure that the voices of frontline community members are being lifted up and listened to. 

The Rebuild Maryland Coalition has the support of hundreds of voters, a growing and passionate student movement, and nearly 70 organizations including:

  • Maryland Legislative Coalition Climate Justice Wing
  • Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW)
  • Citizens Climate Lobby, Annapolis Chapter
  • 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland/DC Division
  • Chesapeake Climate Action Network
  • League of Women Voters of Maryland
  • Elders Climate Action, DMV Chapter

Our Strategic Plan

Greg Casto, Climate XChange

Thanking our Supporters

Our team at Climate XChange is dedicated to helping states pass effective and equitable climate policies, and our work is made possible by our generous supporters. Thank you so much to all who contributed to our cause in 2022!

4045

Ticket Purchasers in our Annual EV Raffle

$102k+

From Individual Donors in 2022

Foundations Supporting our Programs

Alex C. Walker Foundation

DES Foundation

Lockhart Vaughan Foundation

Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation

Sally Mead Hands Foundation

2022 Financials

Yearly Budget: $1.1 Million

Income

Expenses

Looking Ahead to 2023:

Our 5-year Strategic Plan sets a path for growth for the organization, intending to diversify our income sources and secure additional funds through grants. For FY 2023, we have already secured 98% more grant funding than the previous year, so we are well on our way!

View Financial Records

Source: Climate XChange Education and Research Inc. Audited Financial Statement

Board

Cathy Carruthers

Chair

Cathy is a retired Natural Resource Economist, previously working for the state of Washington for 21 years, most recently for Tacoma Power.

Kalman Gacs

Secretary

Kalman is the Project Manager and Creative Director at Viv Web Solutions, but found his start making digital graphics for the climate movement.

Laura Teicher

Board Member

Laura is the Executive Director at FORGE, a nonprofit that helps startups navigate the journey to reach impact at scale.

Peter Kirby

Board Member & Raffle Director

Peter is a former strategy consultant and executive for IBM, now investing his time and assets to fight the climate crisis.

Quinton Zondervan

Treasurer

Quinton is a Cambridge City Councillor, and his business and technology background helped him start and lead several companies and organizations.

Climate XChange Team

Amanda (Griffiths) Pontillo

Communications Director & Operations Lead

Amanda comes to Climate XChange from the Massachusetts State House in various roles where she focused on energy and environmental policy. She oversees the organization’s content creation and brand identity – designing graphics and report layouts, managing the website, and editing insights and research. She also oversees operations for CXC.

Da'Juan Gay

Da'Juan Gay

Maryland Organizer

At Climate XChange, Da’Juan works on our Maryland Campaign, building a diverse group of stakeholders to join the Rebuild Maryland Coalition. Da’Juan also serves on the City Council in Annapolis, MD, winning a seat as the youngest member in the city’s history. He is committed to the goal of helping our most vulnerable citizens.

Greg Casto

Senior Communications Associate

Greg’s work at Climate XChange focuses on helping people understand the nuanced topic of climate policy. He is responsible for writing online content, social media, and managing all external communications for Climate XChange.

Jonah Kurman-Faber Headshot

Jonah Kurman-Faber

Policy & Research Director

Jonah is a climate and energy policy expert with a focus on decarbonization pathways, green stimulus, state policy, carbon pricing, equity and environmental justice, and public health. He serves as a technical resource for policymakers and leaders at the nexus of interdisciplinary economics and social movements.

Kristen Soares

Kristen Soares

State Climate Policy Network Manager

Kristen is a UCLA graduate with a degree in Environmental Science and Public Affairs. At Climate XChange they manage the SCPN: conducting outreach, organizing webinars, and facilitating connections between state climate actors.

Paola Ferreira

Paola Ferreira Miani

Executive Director

Paola Ferreira is an environmental policy and strategy expert with 22 years of international experience in biodiversity conservation, climate change, and energy. As Climate XChange’s Executive Director, Paola leads our organization by spearheading our 5-Year Strategic Plan.

Ruby Wincele

Ruby Wincele

Policy & Research Manager

Ruby researches the economic, social, and environmental benefits of state climate policy and provides technical assistance to policymakers and advocates working to pass equitable climate policy in their states. She also tracks climate and adaptation policies across every state for the State Climate Policy Dashboard.

Sean Lau

Operations Associate

Sean graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and a Masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy. At Climate XChange, Sean keeps track of our income and expenses and maintains our Customer Relationship Management software.

Wandra Ashley-Williams website

Wandra Ashley-Williams

Maryland Regional Director

Wandra Ashley-Williams is an accomplished senior management executive, community activist, and elected official with notable experience in diversified industries as well as public service. Wandra lead’s Climate XChange’s participation in the Rebuild Maryland Coalition in order to pass environmental justice legislation in the state.