HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-2016 Item 2, BoswellCOUNCIL MEETING: O —119—Z01 Io
ITEM
To: Fowler, Xzandrea
Subject: RE: Climate Action Plan Implementation Update RECEIVED
OCT 8 2016
From: M Boswell [
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 11:08 AM SLD CITY CLERK
To: Codron, Michael <rncodron@skocit yLorg>; Marx, Jan <imarx@slocity.or >; Fowler, Xzandrea <XFowler slocit .or >
Subject: Climate Action Plan Implementation Update
[Please distribute for City Council meeting — Oct 18, 2016]
Dear Mayor Marx and Council Members:
Thank you for taking time to review progress on the city's climate action plan. I have three recommendations
for moving forward with implementation:
First, schedule an update of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and the climate action plan (CAP).
The inventory was completed in 2008 with a 2005 baseline. The CAP was adopted in 2012. Much has changed
since these documents were prepared. Just to name a few:
The state adopted a new Scoping Plan for the implementation of AB 32.
The state adopted SB 32 establishing 2030 GHG emissions reduction targets.
CEQA law and case law on GHG emissions has evolved considerably.
The state adopted Safeguarding California which elevated the issue of climate adaptation.
New global protocols were established for inventorying GHG emissions (ours is not consistent with
these protocols).
The climate change conference in Paris (COP -21) culminated in new global agreements on climate
change.
In short, nearly the entire field has evolved and the City of SLO GHG inventory and CAP are now out of date.
Second, as recommended in the report the city should establish an internal "green team" assigned the
responsibility of ensuring implementation of CAP policies and programs. This team should report annually and
be held accountable for progress. My extensive research on climate action planning shows that these types of
internal teams are essential for successful implementation.
Third, I suggest that the city create a new position called "Sustainability Coordinator" (or something like that)
assigned the responsibility to coordinate the green team, oversee the GHG emissions inventory and climate
action plan, develop a new climate adaptation strategy, and support energy efficiency programs (such as PACE
and CCA). Many cities are now doing this, thus demonstrating their commitment.
Please let me know if I can assist the city in moving ahead on climate action planning. It is my wish that the
City of SLO be recognized as a leader in helping solve this global problem.
Michael R. Boswell, Ph.D., AICP
254 Branch St, SLO
Department Head & Professor of City & Regional Planning at Cal Poly