Title
Olympia 2045 - Comprehensive Plan Climate Chapter Recommendation
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to accept the proposed Climate Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and forward to a City Council Study Session for discussion as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Report
Issue:
Whether to accept the proposed Climate Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and forward to a City Council Study Session for discussion as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, City Manager's Office, Climate Program, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator
Background and Analysis:
Climate Element: Description and State Requirements
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A) guides and directs local government planning in WA. It requires cities and counties to adopt and update a comprehensive plan every 10 years, to accommodate 20 years of growth. The Comprehensive Plan also establishes the primary goals and policies that guide all City actions.
Planning for climate change and resiliency was added as the 14th goal to the GMA in 2023, by adoption of House Bill 1181 (Chapter 228, Laws of 2023). The GMA requires local comprehensive plans to include goals and policies for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate resilience.
The new Climate Action & Resilience chapter will address both climate mitigation (the reduction of greenhouse gases) and resiliency (the ability to adapt to our changing climate). The overarching goals of this chapter are to:
* Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* Reduce vehicle miles traveled.
* Improve climate preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
* Maximize co-benefits and prioritize environmental justice in the development of policies/programs to achieve these goals.
To capture th...
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