Step 8: Design Your Plan
Integrate all aspects of your climate action plan into one readable document, ensuring that it's graphical, easy to read, and focuses on why the community wants to become more sustainable.
Why It’s Important
You want to make sure that people are reading your climate action plan and not just ignoring it. To achieve this, you need to integrate everything we've discussed: creating a compelling story, highlighting impactful data, and calling people to action. A visually appealing, well-designed plan is essential.
​
You’ve dedicated significant time and energy to your climate or sustainability plan, and you want it to show. Long after months of community outreach, stakeholder meetings, technical analysis, internal discussions, and the final launch, the plan will stand as the final stamp of your efforts—how it will be remembered.
​
You want a professional product that reflects the extensive process it took to get there. A plan that tells the story of your climate and sustainability journey and goals in a visual way that spurs action.
​
This is why the design of your final plan actually needs to start on day one and be integrated throughout the process. When we say “design,” we mean both the creative elements (icons, images, etc.) and the content organization.
​
How to Design
Pick a Theme
You might be using “City Climate Action Plan” as your title, but don’t leave it in plain 12-point black font. That won’t grab the reader’s attention or provide a common design element to apply throughout the plan and additional materials. Your final plan design will be stronger if you have a plan name and tagline, a logo or font treatment, a style guide with typography and color palette. Ensure you have your local government’s brand guide or equivalent to maintain consistency. The final plan should carry over into any post-plan products like a website. Our design PDF guide goes through how to create a cohesive design even without hiring designers.
​
Clear Outline from the Beginning
Start with a clear outline that includes the story and your "why," a review of historical data and GHG inventory, community outreach findings, and future action items and roadmaps. This ensures that all the steps you’ve been working so hard on are integrated into the final document.
Content Issues
Overarching Story
Go back to step 4 and review your "why" statement for your community. Make sure this "why" statement is integrated throughout your climate and sustainability planning process—from your logo to your title to all outreach materials. Include the story behind your "why" along with a one-sentence summary. For example, if your community is concerned with climate change-induced air pollution and asthma issues, create a one-sentence summary like “Help our community breathe better & join our climate planning process.” Add community photos and quotes to heighten impact.
Starting the design process on day one ensures that your final plan is cohesive and integrated. Design isn’t just about making the document look good; it’s about making the information accessible, engaging, and actionable.
A well-designed plan that tells a compelling story will help engage the community and garner support for your initiatives. Use visuals to highlight community involvement and illustrate how their input shaped the final plan.
Before finalizing your plan, seek feedback from community members and stakeholders. This ensures that the document resonates with the audience and addresses their concerns effectively.
Infographics and Data
Use the infographics and data created in the previous steps to make a point with easy-to-read and memorable graphics on historical GHG emissions and other climate drivers. Visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps can help illustrate key points clearly and concisely.
Focus on Action Items and Roadmaps
Design these sections as pages that people can remove and share with other community members and at events. Make it clear what you’re working on and what the steps are to improve. Highlight specific actions, timelines, responsible parties, and how progress will be measured.
