The Zero Emission Neighborhood (ZEN) pilot aims to implement Climate Smart projects co-created with community members within a targeted area. The ZEN pilot was developed with three main goals in mind:

• Improve quality of life in a pilot neighborhood in ways that matter deeply to residents, including combining outreach and education with hands-on projects;
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing access to and awareness of actions that support San José’s Climate Smart goals; and
• Demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of the ZEN concept, with an equity focus in mind, in order to gain lessons-learned for potential expansion of the pilot project and for future City programs.

BACKGROUND

The ZEN pilot was established through a two-year research and outreach process, supported by the City’s American Cities Climate Challenge grant, to determine the pilot design and pilot neighborhood. Climate Smart San José staff collaborated with Environmental Studies graduate students at Santa Clara University to analyze multiple equity metrics and identify potential candidate neighborhoods. The team also engaged residents in candidate neighborhoods to understand how the community viewed the ZEN concept, and conducted workshops with community-based organizations to review and discuss the ZEN concept and the potential candidate areas. Ultimately, Climate Smart staff selected the Santee neighborhood located in Council District 7 as the pilot neighborhood.

ZEn projects

 The ZEN pilot has implemented a wide range of projects.

Current ZEN projects include accelerating heat resiliency education, resources, and improvements in Santee. There are significant risks associated with extreme heat, and the risks and frequency of extreme heat events are intensified by climate change. The ZEN pilot is currently also advancing building electrification. Burning natural gas in our buildings is a major contributor to climate change, and can have a negative impact on our health and safety. Financial incentives for electrification are available to buildings owners throughout San José via the EcoHome Network Program.

Urban greening projects have also been implemented under ZEN. These projects include planting native plants throughout Santee and supporting local community gardens.

Climate Smart staff regularly attend community meetings to provide updates and gain feedback on projects. Community collaboration has been key to all ZEN pilot projects, with community input and ideas as the foundation for the development and implementation of projects.

Department of Transportation staff also support the ZEN pilot, with efforts focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from delivery and transportation of goods in Santee.

next steps

Pending funding from internal and external sources and input from community members, planned additional ZEN pilot measures include zero emissions mobility and transportation mode shifting, water conservation, and waste reduction.

While the program grows, residents are encouraged to take advantage of financial incentives, rebates, and programs to help create Climate Smart homes and neighborhoods while providing health, safety, and economic community benefits. To learn more, visit the Climate Smart webpage.

recognizing zen community collaborators

Thank you to the many organizations and community groups whose support makes ZEN possible.

• McLaughlin Area Tenants Neighborhood Association
• North Santa Clara Resource Conservation District
• Franklin-McKinley Children’s Initiative, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
• City of San José Project Hope

contact

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at: ClimateSmart@sanjoseca.gov.