Agenda

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D.2

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	September 22, 2020

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

ADOPT Climate Emergency Resolution, as Recommended by the Sustainability Committee

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/22/2020

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator, 925-674-7871

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: September 22, 2020
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Climate Emergency Resolution No. 2020/256, as recommended by the Sustainability Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact. As written, the tasks directed in the resolution could be accomplished with existing staff.

BACKGROUND:

At the October 21, 2019 Sustainability Commission meeting, the Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Climate Emergency Resolution (Resolution). At its November 19, 2019 meeting, the Board referred this issue to the Sustainability Committee. On December 9, 2019, the Sustainability Committee discussed options for structuring a Resolution. The Committee directed the Sustainability Coordinator to develop a draft Resolution in consultation with the Sustainability Commission and come back to the Committee.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The Sustainability Commission at its February 24, 2020 meeting considered potential measures that could be included in the Resolution. Staff revised the Resolution to reflect input from the Sustainability Commission as well as the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and presented it to the Sustainability Committee at its May 29, 2020 meeting. The Committee on May 29 directed staff to revise the Resolution in certain areas and further consult with the Sustainability Commission before bringing the resolution back for further consideration.

The Sustainability Commission reviewed the revised draft Resolution at its June 22, 2020 meeting. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend adoption of the Resolution with the inclusion of a number of items. The Sustainability Committee at its July 27, 2020 meeting reviewed the draft Resolution and the recommendations from the Sustainability Commission. The Committee also received public comment from a number of County residents and community organizations.

The Sustainability Committee recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt the attached Climate Emergency Resolution. The Resolution takes the following actions:

Declares a climate emergency that threatens the long-term economic and social well-being, health, safety, and security of the County, and recognizes urgent action by all levels of government is needed to immediately address this climate emergency.

Declares that the County supports the State of California's recent goals to reduce greenhouse gases by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32, 2016); achieve net carbon neutrality by 2045 (Executive Order B-55-18, 2018); and provide 100% of the State’s electricity from clean energy sources by 2045 (SB 100, 2018), and intends to take actions to help achieve these goals.

Establishes an interdepartmental task force of all Department heads, or their senior deputies, that will focus on urgently implementing the County’s Climate Action Plan – as currently adopted and as it may be amended by the Board – and identifying additional actions, policies, and programs the County can undertake to reduce and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. This task force should report to the Board of Supervisors through the County Sustainability Commission and the Board’s Sustainability Committee on a semi-annual basis starting in March 2021. Reports to the Board of Supervisors shall be discussion items for the Board.

Resolves that the Board of Supervisors and the County Sustainability Commission seek input from the community (with a special focus on highly impacted Environmental Justice communities), workers (especially impacted workers), and business/industry to help the County anticipate and plan for an economy that is less dependent on fossil fuels, helps plan for a “Just Transition” away from a fossil-fuel dependent economy, and considers how the County’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic can incorporate the County’s climate goals. As the State of California adopts policies and goals for reducing pollution and addressing climate change, the County will develop strategies to improve the health, safety, infrastructure, job opportunities and revenue opportunities during the shift to a zero emission economy. The County will provide special attention to helping develop new opportunities for frontline and impacted communities that will realize economic, health and other benefits. The Commission will include this topic in its ongoing advice to the Board of Supervisors.

Resolves that Contra Costa County should develop policies to require all new construction to be fully electric through the adoption of reach building codes.

Resolves that Contra Costa County will prioritize the implementation of its Climate Action Plan in order to achieve greenhouse gas reductions as soon as possible and will consider equity and social justice issues in the implementation of the plan.

Resolves that health, socio-economic, and racial equity considerations should be included in policymaking and climate solutions at all levels and across all sectors as the consequences of climate change have significant impacts on all County residents, especially the young, the elderly, low-income or communities of color, and other vulnerable populations.

Resolves that the General Plan and Climate Action Plan as updated should include land use policies and actions that will facilitate greater availability of fresh food to County residents by creating more opportunities for community gardens, urban gardens, farmers markets, and related policies and programs.

Calls for all Contra Costa cities and agencies, as well as regional agencies, to also approve a Climate Emergency Declaration to create a unified Countywide voice around climate change and strengthen the call for state and federal actions and funds to address the economic, social, public health, and national security threats posed by the climate crisis.

The written comments received to date on the Climate Emergency Resolution are attached. This includes written comments received around the June 22, 2020 Sustainability Commission meeting and the July 27, 2020 Sustainability Committee meeting.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Failure to adopt the Climate Emergency Resolution means the Board of Supervisors would forego an opportunity to provide leadership and take action to address the climate crisis.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Speakers: Vanessa Cleric; Elsie Mills, Concord; Liz Ritchey; Fred Bihale; Kevin Pang, Danville; no name given; Amanda; Bob Haas, Rossmoor; Ganisterer, East Richmond; Amanda Casey; no name given; Lisa Jackson, Walnut Creek; Shelly Crock, Lafayette; Melvin Willis, Richmond City Councilmember; Colleen Knoll Amanda; Sharon; El Cerrito resident; Floyd Andrews, Richmond; Janet; Kelly Ann Bryant; Karen Perkins, Walnut Creek; no name given; Jackie Garcia, Lafayette; Ogie Strogatz, unincorporated area; Linda de Chambeau; Tai Kwok.