Agenda

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AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

Meeting Date:	09/14/2015
Subject: Update on Status of County Climate Action Plan
Submitted For:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:	Conservation & Development
Referral No.:	2015-14
Referral Name:	Update on Status of County Climate Action Plan
Presenter:	Will Nelson, DCD Staff	Contact:	Will Nelson, (925) 674-7791

Information

Referral History:

In April 2012 the Board of Supervisors directed the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) to prepare a community-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address climate change impacts by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response to the Board’s direction, DCD retained Pacific Municipal Consultants (PMC), conducted public outreach, and worked with other County departments to prepare a CAP that would serve as the County’s roadmap for reducing GHG emissions within the unincorporated areas. In December 2012 DCD released the Draft CAP for public review, but the document was never completed. In January 2015 DCD reengaged PMC with the intention of completing the CAP in 2015.

Referral Update:

At the second meeting of the Sustainability Committee on May 11, 2015, DCD staff updated the Committee on its efforts to complete the CAP. Staff indicated that its preference was to bring the draft CAP to the Committee review and comment prior to releasing it for environmental/public review. The Committee agreed with staff’s proposal.

The following has occurred since the May meeting:

On May 28 and August 19 DCD hosted meetings of the Interdepartmental Working Group consisting of County departments anticipated to be responsible for implementing the CAP’s GHG reduction measures, including the County Administrator’s Office, Public Works Department, Health Services Department, and Agriculture Department. The purpose of these meetings was to review the GHG reduction measures identified in the 2012 draft CAP, identity GHG reduction measures and efforts implemented by the County since the 2012 draft CAP was written, and formulate new measures.

Based on the input from the Interdepartmental Working Group, in early September a revised draft CAP was produced (see Attachment A). Highlights of the revised draft CAP include:

The proposed GHG reduction measures will allow the County to meet the Assembly Bill 32 target of reducing GHG emissions to 15 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

The GHG emissions inventory has been updated with information from 2013 (the 2012 draft CAP included information only from 2005).

The community health-related content has been integrated more thoroughly. In the 2012 draft CAP the health information was contained in its own chapter and appendix that did not flow well with the rest of the document. The 2015 draft CAP integrates the community health information throughout the document.

Each GHG reduction measure includes a summary box indicating the measure’s anticipated 2020 and 2035 GHG reductions; the County departments responsible for implementation; the co-benefits, such as improved public health, energy conservation, money savings, etc.; and the public health priority benefits, such as health equity and increased walking and biking.

Select GHG reduction measures include a text box explaining that measure’s community benefits so that the public can easily understand the tangible benefits of the CAP.

After incorporating any revisions suggested by the Committee, staff will release the draft CAP for environmental/public review and comment. DCD has assembled an extensive list of recipients including, but not limited to, government agencies, business groups, and environmental organizations (see Attachment B). Staff intends to place the CAP on the Board’s agenda for adoption sometime in November or December.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

ACCEPT the report on the status of the CAP; and PROVIDE comments on the CAP and additional direction to staff as necessary.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

CAP preparation, including the consultant’s contract, is being funded out of DCD’s current year budget.

Attachments
Attachment A: 2015 Draft CAP
Attachment B: Notification List