Cities will soon qualify for funding though the $1.2 trillion 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which can be used to magnify their impact on climate and resilience priorities. This crucial funding opportunity comes at just the right time for impactful climate action as well as economic recovery from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding through the IIJA will advance transportation, energy, broadband, and resilience initiatives. The IIJA provides grant funding for state and local governments, increases the cap on private activity bonds—opening the door for more public-private partnerships—and sets a framework for reducing carbon emissions, investing in clean energy, and building national climate resilience.

These case studies from the Alliance for a Sustainable Future, a collaboration between C2ES and The U.S. Conference of Mayors, highlight what cities can do to preposition themselves for this critical funding. By identifying proven strategies for leveraging federal and state funding, this report offers a guide to funding opportunities and steps to position local agencies to receive funds and replicate successful project strategies.