In 2009, the City of Benicia was an early leader among the increasing number of California communities developing plans to address climate change at the local level, adopting the first Climate Action Plan in Solano County. Benicia partnered with the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo City and Regional Planning program to develop the Climate Action Plan. This partnership was made possible in part by a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The Benicia Climate Action Plan includes actions to affect:

• Education and Public Outreach
• Energy Production
• Transportation and Land Use
• Buildings
• Industrial and Commercial Activities
• Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Systems
• Parks and Open Space

In 2010, the City Council appointed a Community Sustainability Commission to educate, advocate and recommend actions for current and future sustainable economic, ecologic and social health. The City has further supported this effort by hiring a consulting Climate Action Plan Coordinator, funded through an agreement between local oil refiner Valero and a group of concerned citizens known as the Good Neighbor Steering Committee. The Coordinator will work with City staff and the Sustainability Commission to implement the Climate Action Plan and report on greenhouse gas reductions.