The City of Gonzales in Louisiana has taken significant strides towards climate resilience by becoming the second city in the state to develop its own climate action plan. Aligned with Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan, Gonzales aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40–50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In collaboration with the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), the city engaged its residents through surveys and participation in a large community event to identify their preferences for improvements such as bike lanes, community gardens, farmers markets, composting and recycling services, transit options, and public parks.

CPEX used the input received from the various public outreach and engagement methods along with input from Gonzales’s Climate Action Committee and focus group findings, to develop strategies for compact development and energy efficiency, fostering a collaborative approach that addressed concerns and provided tailored solutions to achieve the city’s climate resilience goals.

The Center for Planning Excellence played a crucial role in building trust within the community and strengthening its relationship with city leaders during the development of the Gonzales Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. By actively listening to residents, addressing concerns about changes and new technologies like electric vehicles, and collaboratively developing solutions, CPEX ensured that the strategies developed were well-received and aligned with the city’s comfort level and aspirations.

The success of Gonzales in taking proactive steps towards climate resilience sets an example for other communities, aligning with Louisiana’s broader greenhouse gas reduction goals and contributing to the collective effort to prepare for future climate impacts while maintaining economic competitiveness in a low-carbon future.

Leveraging this effort, CPEX supported implementation of the various strategies by connecting city leadership with relevant entities, such as Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF). LCF further worked with Gonzales to begin identifying needs and supporting implementation of EV within the city through an EPA grant.