On November 15, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission. The mission of the Sustainability Commission is to:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 has been operating since June 2017 with eleven members and five alternates. In August 2019, the Board of Supervisors created an additional at-large seat representing Environmental Justice, bringing the total number of members to twelve. The breakdown is as follows:
- Five District representatives nominated by individual members of the Board of Supervisors (representatives must be a resident of that district);
- Two members representing community groups whose mission includes sustainability and/or environmental issues ("At-Large, Community");
- Two members representing commercial groups or organizations whose business focuses on sustainability and/or environmental issues ("At-Large, Business");
- Two members representing environmental justice issues and who live in disadvantaged communities ("At-Large, Environmental Justice"). The Environmental Justice seats should represent the geographic diversity of the County; and
- Five alternate District representatives nominated by individual members of the Board of Supervisors (alternates must be a resident of that district).
The terms of each seat were staggered so that about half expire every two years. This allows for continuity on the Commission.
The Board directed the Sustainability Committee to review and interview applicants to the At-Large seats and recommend candidates for those seats as they become vacant.
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