BACKGROUND:
The responsibilities of the Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission include: (1) Provide advice to staff and the Board on successful implementation of the Climate Action Plan, including suggestions on how that work can be performed more efficiently and effectively; (2) Advise the Board on opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa County in sustainability programs that support the Climate Action Plan; and (3) Provide suggestions to staff and the Board on how to better engage Contra Costa County residents and businesses on sustainability issues and implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
The Sustainability Commission at its April 26, 2021 meeting received a report from Wes Sullens in his role as Director, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The report focused on USGBC’s green building rating system and opportunities to integrate LEED principles into the County’s Climate Action Plan.
The Commission formed a working group to explore ideas and develop recommendations. At the June 28, 2021 meeting of the Sustainability Commission, the Commission unanimously adopted four of the five recommendations brought forward by the working group. Those recommendations were provided to the Board on August 3, 2021, and referred to and considered by the Sustainability Committee at its November 2021 meeting.
At its February 28, 2022, meeting, the Sustainability Commission received a report from the working group on its final recommendation regarding the use of low-carbon concrete in County construction projects, as well as in projects approved by the County. The attached report describes that concrete accounts for approximately 8% of the world's manmade carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and that the concrete industry has available low-carbon concrete mixes. The report states that Marin County and several Bay Area cities have adopted building codes that require the use of low-carbon concrete mixes. It describes different strategies that could be used to reduce the amount of carbon embodied, or captured, in concrete.
The Sustainability Commission recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to study adoption of low-carbon concrete standards. It further recommends that low-carbon concrete standards be implemented through reach codes that would apply to all new construction in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Staff recommends this proposal be more thoroughly examined by the Sustainability Committee.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to take action on the recommendations in the letter means the Board would be disregarding the advice of the Sustainability Commission.