Title
Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan Project Update
Recommended Action
Receive a briefing on the Thurston Regional Climate Mitigation Plan and Olympia’s early climate actions.
Report
Issue:
Receive an update on the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan and the early climate actions City staff is working to implement prior to completion of the regional plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenter:
Susan Clark
Background and Analysis:
Regional Climate Mitigation Planning
In April 2018, Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) signed an Interlocal Agreement to complete Phase I of a regional Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, with TRPC leading the effort. Phase I work resulted in the following regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets:
• 45% below 2015 levels by 2030
• 85% below 2015 levels by 2050
In November 2018, Olympia and the other regional jurisdictions approved a Phase II Interlocal Agreement addressing the development of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP).
To date, the regional planning process accomplishments include:
• Steering Committee formed and eight meetings held (Councilmembers Parshley and Cooper represent Olympia)
• Consultant team selected
• Climate Advisory Committee formed and four meetings held
• Public Engagement Strategy approved and initial community outreach completed
• Review of Thurston County Communitywide Greenhouse Gas Inventory completed
• Development of 300+ community-wide climate actions
• Approval of climate action screening criteria by the Steering Committee
• Preliminary screening of the 300+ community-wide climate actions
A fact sheet on the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan is attached and additional project details will be provided at the March 5 meeting.
Need for Early Actions
During review of the Phase II Interlocal Agreement, City Council asked staff to identify the early actions the City could take while work on the TCMP occurs. City Council and community members expressed a sense of urgency in working on the climate crisis. During mitigation planning meetings, various project stakeholders and community members have also voiced requests for jurisdictions to implement early actions.
Early Actions Development Approach
In response to City Council’s request, the City of Olympia’s Executive Team formed an internal Climate Action Workgroup (Workgroup). Public Works staff are leading the Workgroup with representatives from Parks, Community Planning and Development (CP&D), Administrative Services and Communications Services. Over the course of the last several months, the Workgroup developed a list of 130+ potential early actions, including early action recommendations received from Olympia Community Solar and Thurston Climate Action Team.
The Workgroup then prioritized the list of potential early actions based upon the expected level of effort involved in implementation and the likelihood the early action would assist the City to meet its early action goals. Those actions that were larger in scale, and required more resources, analysis and public involvement were deferred to the regional planning process.
The resulting list of recommended early actions reflect the efforts that staff can support within existing resources between now and the end of 2020. On a parallel track, staff will also continue to support the regional development of the TCMP.
As outlined in the attached document “Early Action-Strategies,” Olympia’s early actions are focused on building the foundation for climate action across City operations and are organized under six themes:
• Establish a framework for climate-focused decisions
• Set the foundation for a solar and green building community
• Create a City staff culture of climate awareness
• Green City facilities and fleet
• Build the foundation for climate friendly infrastructure
• Build and leverage partnerships
Staff is prepared to discuss the full list of recommended Early Actions and progress made to implement the actions since August in more detail at the March 5 meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During mitigation planning outreach activities and at mitigation planning meetings, various stakeholders and community members have voiced general support for the planning process and taking action to mitigate the region’s greenhouse gas emissions.
During mitigation planning meetings, various project stakeholders and community members have requested that the participating jurisdictions implement early actions.
Olympia Community Solar and Thurston Climate Action Team provided recommended early actions to consider.
Options: None at this time. Briefing only.
Financial Impact: None at this time. Additional efforts beyond the list of proposed early actions would likely require resources for additional staff and/or consultant support.
Attachments:
Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan fact sheet
Early Action - Strategies
Early Actions