Title
Climate Action Plan Scoping
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive update on City’s climate efforts under the Compact of Mayors. Move to refer scoping of a climate action plan to the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC).
Report
Issue:
Whether to refer scoping of a climate action plan to the LUEC.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Danelle MacEwen, Senior Program Specialist, Public Works, 360.753.8211
Presenter(s):
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director
Eileen Quigley, Clean Energy Transition
Adrian Down, Stockholm Environment Institute (available for questions)
Background and Analysis:
In November, 2015, the City formally signed on to the Compact of Mayors. The Compact of Mayors is a global coalition of mayors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a local level. In 2016, the Compact expanded to become the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. More than 7,100 cities world-wide participate.
By signing on to the Global Covenant of Mayors, the City committed to the following by the end of 2018:
1. Committing to significant reduction of local greenhouse gas emissions;
2. Measuring and taking an inventory of community emissions;
3. Setting reduction targets;
4. Developing a climate action plan to meet the targets.
Olympia has made considerable progress on items 1, 2, and 3. Ambitious reduction targets are set in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and staff completed an inventory of community-wide emissions. City Council has also passed several resolutions aimed at shifting away from fossil fuel use. The next big step is to develop a climate action plan that outlines the City’s strategy to meet community-wide emissions targets.
In 2016, as a precursor to a climate action plan, the City retained Climate Solutions to develop an “energy map” and “carbon wedge analysis.” Climate Solutions (with support from Clean Energy Transition and Stockholm Environment Institute) has done similar work with many other Pacific Northwest communities. The energy map and carbon wedge analysis are meant to help the City identify ways to achieve meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. A background memo on the energy map and carbon wedge analysis is attached and will be briefly covered in the presentation.
In summary, the Council briefing will include the following:
• High level overview of obligations under the Global Covenant of Mayors
• Update on energy reduction efforts in City buildings
• Sample scope of a climate action plan
• Review of energy map and carbon wedge analysis (presented by Eileen Quigley)
• Request for referral to Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) for climate action plan scoping
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is strong community interest in local action on climate change. Thurston Climate Action Team, a local non-profit organization, has expressed interest in engaging with the City on scoping and developing a climate action plan.
Options:
1. Receive briefing and move to refer scoping of a climate action plan to the Land Use and Environment Committee. This keeps the City on track to meet obligations under the Global Covenant of Mayors.
2. Receive briefing and do not refer scoping of a climate action plan at this time. This could delay development of a climate action plan and affect whether the City can meet its obligations under the Global Covenant of Mayors.
Financial Impact:
None at this time. However, staff anticipates that developing a climate action plan will require consultant support. Following initial plan scoping with the LUEC, staff intends to bring forward a funding recommendation as part of the 2018 budget process.
Attachments:
Memo, Map and Analysis