Title
Climate Program Update
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Briefing on Olympia's climate change response and implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, City Manager's Office, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Background and Analysis:
Climate Action Goals
In April 2018, Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston Regional Planning Council began the first phase of work to develop a regional climate mitigation plan. Phase I resulted in the following regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets:
* 45% below 2015 levels by 2030
* 85% below 2015 levels by 2050
In February 2021, all partners accepted the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) as a common framework to achieve the regionally adopted emissions reduction targets.
In 2021, Olympia joined the Cities Race to Zero, pledging to achieve net-zero emission by 2040 and set an interim 2030 science-based target, resulting in the following community-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for the City of Olympia:
* 59% below 2019 levels by 2030
* Net-zero by 2040
Implementation Progress
Key progress to date includes:
* Building staff capacity to integrate climate action across all levels of city policy, planning, and decision-making.
* Reducing facility energy consumption and preparing to electrify city facilities and fleet vehicles.
* Developing new policies and programs to reduce community-wide emissions related to transportation and the built environment.
* Designing and implementing projects to make it easier to walk, bike, and ride transit.
* Supporting regional coordination of the TCMP.
* Initiating a new program focus area on climate preparedness and adaptation.
Major projects planned for 2023 include:
Municipal Operations
* Complete facility electrification feasibility assessment.
* Develop fleet electr...
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