HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 426-066
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER
DECEMBER 18, 2006
RESOLUTION JOINING THE
DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER
CMR:426:06
ICLEI CITIES FOR CLIMATE
PROTECTION® CAMPAIGN AND PLEDGING TO UNDERTAKE THE
CAMPAIGN’S FIVE MILESTONES TO REDUCE LOCAL EMISSIONS
THAT CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL WARMING
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the attached resolution joining ICLEI’s Cities for
Climate Protection* Campaign (CCPC) and pledging to undertake the campaign’s five
milestones to reduce local emissions that contribute to global warming.
BACKGROUND
Emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities, dominantly carbon dioxide from burning
Of fossil fuels, alter the earth’s atmosphere, increasing the risk of significant and potentially
catastrophic changes in global climate.
The City of Palo Alto is actively involved in several activities that either directly or indirectly
seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Utility programs to foster energy efficiency
and renewable energy, the Zero Waste Strategic Plan, use of alternative fuels in the City’s fleet,
commute programs, and committing to green building principles. The City is an active
participant in Sustainable Silicon Valley, is a member of the California Climate Action Registry,
and is a signatory to the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. The community at large is
also involved in developing approaches to address greenhouse gas emissions, through the
Mayor’s Green Ribbon Task Force that was created in March 2006 to "recommend tangible steps
and local actions by all stakeholder groups, including the City, to reduce global warming and
encourage sustainable practices."
CMR:426:06 Page 1 of 3
DISCUSSION
ICLEI is short for International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, an international
association of local governments dedicated to the prevention and solution of local, regional, and
global environmental problems through local action. ICLEI’s CCPC provides much more than
just a list of milestones, as members are provided with access to a wealth of software tools,
technical expertise and guidance, best practices information, and a network of other cities
worldwide with whom to share experiences and ideas. A city joins the CCPC by joining ICLEI
and adopting a resolution or making an executive, proclamation committing to reducing local
emissions that contribute to global warming. The process consists of working through five
milestones to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the co~Nunity, specifically: .
1. Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast to determine the source and
quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the jurisdiction;
2. Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;
3. Develop an action plan with both existing and future actions which when implemented
will meet the local greenhouse gas reduction target;
4. Implement the action plan; and
5. Monitor and report progress and update plans.
Joining ICLEI will also make the sofb0vare tools available to Mayor’s Green Ribbon Task Force
members to help improve methods for estimating community-wide emissions for difficult-to-
quantify categories such as transportatioia.
Staff is already on track to complete its emissions inventory for City government operations.
Staff plans to coordinate the development of greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and
climate action plan through the interdepartmental Environmental Stewardship Steering
Committee and Executive Staff, and to consider and address the ideas and recommendations of
the Mayor’s Green Ribbon Task Force in formulating the action plan specified as milestones 3
and 4 above.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Joining ICLEI costs $1,200 per year. The development and implementation of a climate action
plan consistent with the ICLEI CCPC are included in the approved budget. Staff will return to
Council in 2007 with a proposed action plan as specified in milestone 3, along with any resource
impacts.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The ICLEI Cities CCP pledge supports the City’s Sustainability Policy adopted April 2, 2001
(CMR 175:01), the Green Government Pledge adopted July 19, 1999 (CMR 284:99), and
Comprehensive Plan Pglicy N-44: "Maintain Palo Alto’s long-term supply of electricity and
natural gas while addressing environmental and economic concerns."
The pledge also support the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and is consistent with
and complement the California Publicly Owned Electric Utilities’ Principles Addressing
Greenhouse Reduction Goals endorsed by Council August 7, 2006 (CMR:315:06), and can serve
CMR:426:06 Page 2 of 3
as a core foundation for development of the Climate Action Plan as described in the Long-term
Electric Acquisition Plan Implementation Task #1 (CMR 169:06, April 17, 2006), which states,
"Promote environmental stewardship by completing the California Climate Action Registry
process for reporting and certifying greenhouse gas emissions, developing a Climate Action Plan
for utilities, and supporting City efforts to address climate change and other environmental
issues."
NEXT STEPS
1. Status report to Council, April 2007
2. Proposed Climate Action Plan, Fall 2007
ATTACHMENTS
A..Resolution joining ICLEI CCPC
B. ICLEI FAQ’s
PREPARED BY:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Karl E. Knapp, Se~n~o~esource Planner
Utilities Department
Assistant City Manager
CMR:426:06 Page 3 of 3
***NOT YET APPROVED***
Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION IN ICLEI’S CITIES FOR
CLIMATE PROTECTION~CAMPAIGN AND PLEDGING TO
UNDERTAKE THE CAMPAIGN’S FIVE MILESTONES TO REDUCE
LOCAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE
TO GLOBAL WARMING
WHEREAS, the scientific consensus is that carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have a
profound effect ~on the Earth’s climate;
WHEREAS, 162 countries, including the United States, have
each pledged under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change to reduce their local greenhouse gas emissions;
WHEREAS, in 2006, the U.S. National Climatic Data Center
confirmed clear evidence of human influences on climate due to
changes in greenhouse gases;
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006, declares that global warming poses a
serious threat to .the economic well-being, public heath, natural
resources, and the environment of California;
WHEREAS, in 1999, Palo Alto adopted the Santa Clara
County Green Government Pledge to lead by example, by improving
its own environmental performance;
WHEREAS, in 2001, Palo Alto adopted a Sustainability
Policy, to strive to be a sustainable community, meaning one
which meets its current needs without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed the 2005
U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, initiated by Seattle
Mayor Nickels and, as of June 2006, signed by 238 UoS. mayors,
including the Mayor of Palo Alto;
WHEREAS, in 2006, the City of Palo Alto ("Palo Alto")
endorsed the California Publicly Owned Electric Utilities’
Principles Addressing Greenhouse Reduction Goals;
WHEREAS, local government actions, taken to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency,
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***NOT YET APPROVED***
providing multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution,
creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money
for local governments, businesses, and residents;
WHEREAS, ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability
(~ICLEI") has invited its full members, including Palo Alto, to
become partners in its Cities for Climate Protection® campaign,
and Palo Alto wishes to join in such campaign;
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does
RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. The City of Palo Alto, as a full member of
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, hereby declares
its intention to participate in ICLEI’s Cities for Climate
Protection® (~CCP") campaign and, as a CCP campaign participant,
pledges to take a leadership role in promoting public awareness
of the causes and impacts of climate change.
SECTION 2. The City hereby agrees to undertake the
development and achievement of the CCP’s campaign’s five
milestones, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the
community, and the City agrees to:
Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and
forecast to determine the source and quantity of
greenhouse gas emissions in its jurisdiction;
Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;
Develop existing and future action plans which, when
implemented, will meet the local greenhouse gas
reduction target;
Implement the action plan; and
Monitor and report progress; and update plans.
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***NOT YET APPROVED***
SECTION 3. The City hereby requests the assistance of
ICLEI as it works to develop and achieve the milestones of
ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection® campaign.
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
Senior Asst. City Attorney City Manager
Director of Utilities
Director of Administrative
Services
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CMR 426:06 Attachment B
ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection® Campaign
Frequently Asked Questions
Local
Governments
__ for Sustai~ability
What is ICLEI?
ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability is an international membership association of local governments dedicated
to addressing environmental problems through local actions.
What is the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign®?
The Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign® is an ICLEI program that engages cities, towns, and counties in
reducing the emissions that cause global warming. The CCP began in 1993.
How many cities, towns, and counties participate?
More than 190 cities, towns, and counties in the United States and over 600 worldwide participate in the Cities for Climate
Protection Campaign.
How does a jurisdiction participate in CCP?
Any city, county, or town can participate in the CCP campaign by joining ICLH and adopting a resolution or making an
executive proclamation committing to reducing local emissions that contribute to global warming. The process is not linear
and consists of working through five CCP Milestones:
¯Conduct a local emissions inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions
¯Adopt an emissions reduction target
¯Draft an action plan to achieve the target
¯Implement the action plan
¯Evaluate, report on progress, and update plans
How do jurisdictions benefit from CCP?
CCP jurisdictions reduce global warming pollution, cut traffic, save tax dollars, clean the air, and
improve quality of life in their communities.
CCP participants have access to a national and worldwide network of local governments that act to protect the
climate through innovative and proven projects.
ICLEI provides technical assistance, emissions analysis software, case studies, training workshops, publications and
other learning, networking and recognition opportunities.
How much staff time does the CCP require?
A staff liaison to the CCP from Energy, Planning, Public Works or other department dovetails CCP work with ongoing
department activity. The time requirement varies depending on the size and complexity of the local government, the pace at
which the community opts to address the milestones, and involvement from community members.
How do local governments inventory emissions?
Collect relevant data on local transportation, waste, and energy consumption. ICLEI provides forms for collecting data and
software for conducting the emissions inventory. The software computes emissions numbers as well as co-benefits related
to cost savings and criteria air pollution prevention. The resulting inventory is a valuable resource for planning new
activities and serves as a baseline for.measuring progress.
How do local governments develop emissions reduction plans?
Cities and counties follow the CCP Toolkit through the CCP Milestone process. The Toolkit helps participants identify
emissions reduction ideas and strategies. ICLEI also provides case studies and sample action plans prepared by other CCP
local governments.
How much does CCP cost?
The CCP is bee for members of ICLEI. MemberShip in ICLEI provides discounts
on publications, events and software. ICLEI members pay an annual fee based on
population.
Learn more about ICLEI
and the Cities for Climate
Protection Campaign:
Visit www.iclei.or.q/usa
or call 510.844.0699
% E.: I ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Local 436 14th Street, Suite 1520 * Oakland, CA 94612
Governments phone 510.844.0699 * fax 510.844.0698 * email iclei_usa@iclei.orgfor Sustainabillty