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SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	12/09/2019
Subject: RECEIVE REFERRAL from Board of Supervisors to deliberate on adoption of a Climate Emergency Resolution, as recommended by Sustainability Commission.
Submitted For:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:	Conservation & Development
Referral No.:
Referral Name:
Presenter:		Contact:

Information

Referral History:

On November 19, 2019, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Sustainability Committee a proposal from the County's Sustainabilty Commission that the Board adopt a Climate Emergency Resolution (Item C.47).

Referral Update:

Many jurisdictions across the country, particularly in California and the Bay Area, are adopting resolutions declaring a climate emergency and calling for various actions to mobilize resources to address this crisis. The Sustainability Commission recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt such a resolution because the impacts of a changing climate are affecting the quality of life, economy, and well-being of Contra Costa County, for example, recent wildfires and public safety power shutoffs.

Attached are examples of recently adopted Climate Emergency Resolutions adopted by Sonoma County (2018); Austin, Texas (2019); San Mateo County (2019); the City of Alameda (2019); the State of California (2019); the City of Richmond (2018); and the City of Hayward (2019). Possible actions that have been adopted by other jurisdictions and could be included in a Contra Costa County climate emergency resolution include:

Establishing an advisory group that will help the County anticipate and plan for an economy that is less dependent on fossil fuel extraction and processing. As the State of California adopts policies and goals for reducing pollution, the County should consider what this will mean for County revenues, jobs, health, and infrastructure.
Directing the County Administrator to establish an interdepartmental task force that will focus on implementing the County’s Climate Action Plan and identifying additional actions, policies, and programs the County can undertake to reduce and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
Identifying potential resources to support work in Contra Costa County to reduce and adapt to a changing climate.

The Sustainability Commission advised the Board to refer this topic to the Sustainability Committee and direct the Department of Conservation and Development to prepare a report to the Sustainability Committee to evaluate whether the County should adopt a Climate Emergency Resolution.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

RECEIVE REFERRAL from Board of Supervisors to deliberate on adoption of a Climate Emergency Resolution, as recommended by the Sustainability Commission.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

Staff time to evaluate whether the County should adopt a Climate Emergency Resolution.

Attachments
Attachment A: Sonoma County Climate Emergency Resolution
Attachment B: Austin, TX Climate Emergency Resolution
Attachment C: San Mateo County Climate Emergency Resolution
Attachment D: City of Alameda Climate Emergency Resolution
Attachment E: State of California Climate Executive Order
Attachment F: Richmond, CA Climate Emergency Resolution
Attachment G: Hayward, CA Climate Emergency Resolution