HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 8066
City of Palo Alto (ID # 8066)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 6/5/2017
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Discuss S/CAP Implementation Plan
Title: Discuss the Draft 2017-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP)
and Direct Staff on Next Steps
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Accept the attached (Attachment B) Sustainability/Climate Action Plan (S/CAP)
Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) "Key Actions," including those for Chapters on
Mobility, Energy, Zero Waste, Water Management, Municipal Operations, Adaption and
Sea Level Rise, the Natural Environment, and Finance.
2. Authorize staff to proceed on the Key Actions, including analytical work and
consultation with stakeholders.
In addition, as a next step Staff will conduct the requisite environmental review on potential
projects and programs, including under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and
ultimately return to Council for action on the complete S/CAP (including Framework and all
actions) and adoption of the appropriate environmental documents. Staff will return to Council
as needed for approval of specific S/CAP Projects, Policies and/or Budget items requiring
additional allocation of staffing and/or financial resources.
Executive Summary
On November 28, 2016, Council adopted the Palo Alto’s S/CAP Framework, directing staff to
return with a Sustainability Implementation Plan that would include the more detailed action
items. Staff has been working on these detailed action items and is bringing forward items
identified as “Key Actions” for Council consideration. The intent of these key actions is to
articulate what can be accomplished within the three year timeframe between now and 2020
to continue progress toward the S/CAP overall target to attain an 80% greenhouse gas
reduction from 1990 levels by 2030. Staff envisions bringing a completed S/CAP, including SIP
and environmental review, back to Council later this year to inform annual budget and program
decisions, then updating it in 2020 and 2025.
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Background
On 4/18/16 City Council first received and discussed the draft Sustainability/Climate Action Plan
(S/CAP), and unanimously (8-0) approved the following motions1:
A. Adopt a goal of 80% greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by 2030, calculated utilizing the
1990 baseline;
B. Direct staff to return within two months with a process for integration of the
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) with the Comprehensive Plan Update;
C. Support the general framework of the S/CAP;
D. Support the S/CAP Guiding Principles, which are to be reviewed and formally adopted
within six months.
In response to these directives, Staff formed seven inter-departmental teams to develop a
“Sustainability Implementation Plan” (SIP) covering the key S/CAP Chapters: Mobility, Energy,
Water, Zero Waste, Municipal Operations, Adaption and Sea Level Rise, and Natural
Environment.
Staff has also been working in parallel on the Comprehensive Plan Update, and is scheduled to
bring forward all of the Community Advisory Committee’s (CAC’s) recommended changes to
the City Council for their review prior to the City Council’s summer break. This means that it
will be increasingly possible to align the two planning efforts as envisioned in the handout
prepared for the Sustainability Summit (Attachment C).
Discussion
Staff has undertaken the development of the S/CAP in several phases. An overview of the
S/CAP organization and definition of terms is provided in Attachment A, with the key
milestones described here:
The April 2016 draft S/CAP, including draft anticipated Actions through 2030, as well as
GHG reduction analysis and financial impact analysis for most critical measures.
A subset of the S/CAP called the "Framework", including Guiding Principles, Design
Principles and Decision Criteria, and Goals and Strategies, (with draft Actions in the April
2016 Draft removed; and Goals and Strategies enhanced in several Chapters). The S/CAP
Framework was adopted by Council on November 28, 2016. (These terms are explained
in the Glossary section of Attachment A.)
A "Sustainability Implementation Plan” (SIP) covering each Chapter of the S/CAP
Framework. The full SIP is in progress, with “Key Actions” presented in Attachment B.
1 http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/52025
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Staff will return to Council with the full S/CAP, including SIP and environmental review,
back to Council later this year.
In the future, staff will report progress annually (or more often as warranted), and anticipates
updating the S/CAP in 2020 and 2025.
Resource Impacts
Much of the funding to implement the SIP is already embedded in existing Department
Budgets. Additional funding or staffing will be required to implement all the Key Actions in the
SIP. This will be identified as we move ahead and submitted to Council for approval separately.
Council can approve the SIP now, with the understanding that if additional funding is not
approved, some Key Actions in the SIP will not be implemented.
CEQA review will be conducted by a consultant engaged by the Office of Sustainability (OOS),
which currently estimates a cost of roughly $40,000, which is included in the OOS FY 2017
Contingency Budget.
Policy Implications
As indicated above, the City Council has adopted the S/CAP overall target of reducing Palo
Alto’s GHG emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2030, which will also be the horizon year of
the updated Comprehensive Plan. The S/CAP also addresses other sustainability topics that
overlap and complement the updated Comprehensive Plan, making coordination between the
two planning efforts a critical exercise. Staff has been working to ensure this integration, has
conducted a “cross-walk” analysis of both plans, assisted by a sustainability subcommittee of
the Comprehensive Plan Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
While this effort is not yet complete, the two planning efforts are proceeding in parallel,
including:
Incorporation of key S/CAP goals and strategies into the Comp Plan as Comp Plan
policies and programs;
“Cross-walk” and identification and resolution of potential conflicts between the drafts;
Incorporation of the entire S/CAP into the Comp Plan "by reference," acknowledging
that the S/CAP will be a living document which is likely to be revised and updated more
frequently than the Comp Plan.
Exploration of Comp Plan references within the S/CAP as well.
Again, Attachment C includes the handout prepared for the sustainability summit that
summarized our initial approach to the integration of these two planning efforts.
Questions regarding the relationships, consistency, and integration among planning efforts are
to some extent inevitable, as Palo Alto has placed a high priority on strategic decision making
while advancing multiple priorities. While this is particularly relevant as the Comprehensive
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Plan nears completion, it is also an important consideration between the S/CAP and priority
areas such as the Urban Forest Master Plan, Parks/Trails/Open Space Master Plan, and Utilities
plans. Given the likelihood of overlapping update timeframes among these plans, staff
endeavors to ensure that current efforts reflect the latest developments within areas of
specialized knowledge and are coordinated accordingly among departments and stakeholders.
This coordination challenge reinforces the importance of timely completion of planning efforts,
both for the efficient use of resources and to minimize the potential for changes in underlying
assumptions to require significant rework before priorities can be finalized.
Environmental Review
Acceptance, discussion and direction to staff regarding next steps concerning the S/CAP SIPs
does not meet the California Environmental Quality Act’s (CEQA) definition of a “project under
California Public Resources Code section 21065” at this time. Staff will conduct the requisite
environmental review on projects and proposals set forth in the SIPs in advance of any Council
action on them. Note that ongoing projects identified in the SIPs that have already been
approved by Council were also subject to the necessary environmental review. Over the next
few months, staff plans to conduct CEQA review, and return to Council for adoption of the
complete S/CAP (including Framework and all actions).
Attachments:
Attachment A: S/CAP Definition of Terms
Attachment B: 2017-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan
Attachment C: CompPlan/SCAP Integration Plan
Attachments:
Attachment A: S/CAP Definition of Terms
Attachment B: 2017-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan
Attachment C: S/CAP - CompPlan Handout
Version 10: March 14, 2017
Definition of Terms
2016-2030 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) – An ambitious plan to reduce the city and
community’s greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate protection goals and to address broader issues of
sustainability, such as land use and biological resources. S/CAP includes an overall Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
reduction target, Guiding Principles, Design Principles, Decision Criteria, Chapters, Goals, Strategies, Actions,
and 2030 Performance Targets. Staff anticipates reviewing and revising the SCAP for 2020 and every five
years thereafter.
Overall Target – The overall GHG reduction target of the S/CAP - achieving an 80% reduction in
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) below 1990 levels by 2030 – was unanimously approved by Council on
April 18, 2016.
Framework – The S/CAP Framework includes the Guiding Principles, Decision Criteria, Design
Principles, and key Goals and Strategies. The Framework is the road map for development of the
Sustainability Implementation Plans, and was adopted unanimously by Council on Nov. 28, 2016.
Chapter – The topic-specific sustainability levers outlined in the S/CAP. These include: Mobility;
Energy; Water Management; Zero Waste & Circular Economy; Municipal Operations; Climate
Adaptation & Resilience; Regeneration & Natural Environment; Financing Strategies; Community
Behavior, Culture, and Innovation; and Utility of the Future.
Goals – The desired results or intended outcomes for each S/CAP Chapter that will contribute to
achieving overall S/CAP overall targets.
Strategies – The overarching approaches for meeting the S/CAP Goals for each S/CAP Chapter
Actions – Specific actions, measures, or policies designed to fulfill S/CAP Strategies for each S/CAP
Chapter.
Principles and Criteria – Guiding principles, design principles and decision criteria to assist Staff in
developing, refining and selecting near term strategies that support the City’s long term vision and
goals.
2017-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan (2017-2020 SIP) – A near-term plan outlining goals from the
S/CAP Framework and key actions for 2017 to 2020. Goals and key actions, grouped by S/CAP Chapter,
including: Mobility; Energy; Water Management; Zero Waste & Circular Economy; Municipal Operations;
Climate Adaptation & Resilience; Regeneration & Natural Environment; and Financing Strategies. Staff
anticipates creating a new near-term SIP every three to five years.
2020-2030 Sustainability Implementation Plans (2020-2030 SIPs) – Specific strategies and actions for each
S/CAP chapter, to be determined based on the experience of implementing the 2017-2020 SIP. Staff
anticipates creating a new SIP every three years.
Version 10: March 14, 2017
CITY OF
PALO ALTO
Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP)
Key Actions
2017-2020
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 2 of 15
SUSTAINABILITY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN KEY ACTIONS
2017-2020
On November 28, 2016, City Council approved the Sustainability Climate Action Plan (S/CAP)
FRAMEWORK1 for the City of Palo Alto, including GOALS and STRATEGIES. Council directed Staff to
return with a Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) specifying ACTIONS needed to build City
capacity to achieve the “80x30” GHG reduction goal unanimously endorsed by Council on April 18,
2016. (Note: GHG reduction is not S/CAP’s only goal, but is a key indicator tied to other goals and
co-benefits addressed by SOP actions.)
As a next step, the current document includes all the GOALS from the S/CAP Framework, and KEY
ACTIONS for 2017 to 2020 (a subset of all of the SIP ACTIONS which are being finalized by staff).
This document also identifies the budget requests which would be needed for FY 2018 (only). Some
of the Key Actions can be adopted readily at a staff level; some will require review and approval by
Council; and all will require environmental review, including under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), prior to adoption and implementation.
As this work proceeds within the 2017-2020 time frame, Staff will revise plans as necessary, based
on implementation experience—returning to Council for policy and budget approvals as needed. SIP
actions and budgets will be added and amended based on evaluating progress at least every three
years, beginning in 2020.
The total estimated cost of the SIP Key Actions for FY 18 is approximately $1.5 Million (not including
Mobility, CEQA review, or OOS Project Management staff).
Staff estimates that these Key Actions and other actions could enable Palo Alto to reduce GHG
emissions up to 50% (from the 1990 base year) by 2020 as the SIP is implemented (depending of
course on the pace of implementation)2. That will be a major step forward towards the S/CAP’s
2030 Goal of 80% GHG reduction, which far exceeds the state of California’s world-leading
reduction goals of 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. As the rest of the country looks to
California for leadership in sustainability, the City of Palo Alto will continue to lead by example.
Key Timeline Dates:
2016 – Begin Development of SIP with department leaders and staff
Q2 2017 – SIP Key 2017-2020 Actions to Council
2017 – Conduct CEQA Review
FY 2018 – Bring full S/CAP to Council for adoption
2020 – Report progress, evaluate, adjust and update S/CAP
2020 – Achieve 50 % GHG Reduction
1 See “Definition of Terms” at the end of this document.
2 Based on 1) SCAP projections (for which we are behind schedule) and 2) Carbon Neutral Natural Gas, which alone will
take Palo Alto to more than 60% reduction).
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 3 of 15
2030 – Achieve S/CAP Goals including 80 % GHG Reduction
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 4 of 15
SUSTAINABILITY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2017—2020 GOALS
ENERGY
Reduce GHG emissions and energy consumption in buildings
Increase building developer/owner/operator learning and accountability via performance
requirements
Reduce natural gas use in buildings through electrification
Reduce carbon intensity of natural gas use via purchase of carbon off-sets
MOBILITY
Expand non-SOV (single-occupancy vehicle) mobility options
Create right incentives for mobility
Use balanced development to reduce SOV travel
Reduce carbon intensity of vehicles
WATER MANAGEMENT
Reduce consumption
Provide sufficient quantity of water of the right water quality for the right use
Protect creeks, bay, and groundwater
Lead by example
ZERO WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, and ultimately achieve zero waste to landfills
Save energy & reduce pollutants in waste collection, transportation, and processing
MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
Create energy and water efficient buildings
Minimize emissions & maximize efficiency of City Fleet
“Default to Green” purchasing for goods & services
Embed sustainability in City management systems, processes, and operations
CLIMATE ADAPTATION & RESILIENCE
Plan for the upcoming changes in our climate and environment
Protect the City from climate change hazards
Adapt to current & projected conditions
Empower local community and foster regional partnerships
REGENERATION & NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Renew, restore and enhance resilience of our natural environment
Align S/CAP planning for the Natural Environment with other City plans
Maximize carbon sequestration and storage in the Natural Environment
FINANCING STRATEGIES
Utilize diverse financial pathways to drive S/CAP
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 5 of 15
GOALS
Expand non-SOV mobility options
Create right incentives for mobility
Use balanced development to reduce SOV travel
Reduce carbon intensity of vehicles
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Work with the TMA and other agencies to expand shuttle routes and other transit services so
75% of households are within ¼ mile of stops.
Explore development of “mobility as a service” (MaaS) offerings including flexible, responsive
services, apps and commuter programs.
Align City facilities, parking services and commute benefit programs with MaaS approach.
Encourage local ownership of 3-5,000 EVs by 2020 through programs such as group buys and
explore reducing process and other barriers (e.g. fee- and rate-related barriers).
Increase bicycle boulevard mileage within Palo Alto from 5.6 to 18.7 miles (by 2020),
consistent with the City’s adopted Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan.
Upgrade Class II bicycle lanes to Class IV separated bikeways, integrated with bicycle
boulevards where feasible.
Reestablish and expand citywide bike share program (350 bikes by 2018), integrated with
regional transit.
Consider adopting a carpool matching app/service with City employees serving as initial pilot.
Explore using city vehicles as "ride share" vehicles, and/or contracting with 3rd party for pool
car management.
Consider institution of paid parking at City-owned parking lots and garages, and evaluate
ways to achieve comparable programs at private parking sites; apply net parking revenues to
non-auto alternatives.
Explore ways to extend universal transit passes to residents and employees in transit served
areas.
Explore housing strategies that reduce auto trips, including mixed use, transportation
demand management programs, trip caps and parking maximums.
Consider redesigning existing streets to support active and non-SOV transportation modes.
Prioritize traffic signal timing to reduce GHG emissions as well as travel delays.
Promote EV charger installation.
Evaluate incentives, policies, and financing options to stimulate ownership/use of EVs.
Continue education and advocacy to achieve a non-SOV student mode share of 40-50% for
neighborhood elementary schools and 35-60% for all middle and high schools.
MOBILITY
Road transportation represents about 66% of Palo Alto’s existing carbon footprint – and a congestion
headache. GHG’s are a function of two factors: Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and the carbon intensity
(GHG/VMT). Reducing GHG/VMT is largely driven by Federal Standards, state policy and vehicle offerings
(including fuel efficiency and EVs). However, VMT and EV adoption can be influenced by local programs.
(Lead departments: Transportation, Sustainability)
The mobility marketplace is changing rapidly: Palo Alto has perhaps the highest EV penetration in the
country; US EV sales are increasing 37%/year; “range anxiety” is softening as 200-300 mile range EVs
hit the market this year; Lyft and Uber are growing in significance; Autonomous Vehicles are on the
way. In addition, land use and mobility interact in substantial and complex ways.
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 6 of 15
GOALS
Reduce GHG emissions and energy consumption in buildings
Increase building developer/owner/operator learning and accountability via performance
requirements
Reduce natural gas use in buildings through electrification
Reduce carbon intensity of natural gas use via purchase of carbon off-sets
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Ensure Utilities Strategic Plan addresses resource needs and business model changes to
implement sustainability initiatives, including adapting to impacts of distributed energy
resources, new technologies, and other changes to the utility service model.
Develop higher local energy efficiency (& Net Zero) standards for new & existing buildings
through codes & standards.
Develop a post-occupancy regulatory process for commissioning/retro-commissioning and
energy benchmarking to improve building design, construction and performance.
Explore options for using performance requirements and transparency to increase learning
and accountability of building operators; use data driven decision criteria to improve building
performance.
Encourage voluntary electrification of natural gas appliances by reducing barriers where
possible (processes, fees, rates, financing, regulation, supply chain, etc.), educating
consumers and contractors, and implementing utility pilot programs (e.g. heat pump water
heaters and space heaters).
Facilitate the adoption of local distributed energy resources (DER) such as PVs, EVs, and
storage with the goal of generating 2% of electricity needs locally by 2020 (and 4% by 2023).
Complete assessment of smart grid investment merits and long term electric distribution
system investment needs by early 2018 to support energy and electrification goals.
Develop a ZNE Roadmap and baseline energy study for existing buildings.
Explore formation of an eco-district complete with a board and participating members.
Implement utility energy efficiency (EE) programs to achieve cumulative electric and gas EE
savings of 2% by 2020.
Implement natural gas offset program approved by Council; prioritize investment in cost-
effective local offset projects, where feasible.
ENERGY
Efficiency, renewables and electrification are key to Palo Alto’s—and California’s—low carbon energy strategy, but
pace of implementation will depend on technology evolution and cost-effectiveness as well as market acceptance.
Electrification—and encouraging existing buildings to upgrade to modern energy efficiency levels —may pose
significant strategic and operating challenges for the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU). (Lead departments: Utilities,
Development Services)
Emissions from natural gas use represent ~25% of Palo Alto’s remaining carbon footprint. The
decreasing emissions of California and Palo Alto’s energy supply due to renewable energy
opens the opportunity to reduce natural gas use through electrification in addition to
continued efficiency measures. Palo Alto will first seek to reduce natural gas usage through
energy efficiency and conservation, followed by electrification of water heating, space
heating, and cooking / clothes drying where cost effective.
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 7 of 15
GOALS
Divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, and ultimately achieve zero waste to
landfills
Save energy & reduce pollutants in waste collection, transportation, and processing
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Study waste composition & develop new Zero Waste Operations Plan to identify new
programs needed to achieve above goals.
Develop new local Construction & Demolition (C&D) and deconstruction
requirements.
Increase conversion of Refuse Collection Fleet to compressed natural gas (CNG) &
electric, with a pilot electric collection truck in FY18.
Develop local policies to support State recycling and Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) regulations to increase the responsibility of manufacturers and
retailers to reduce waste and recycle their products.
Utilize a wide variety of outreach and engagement techniques to increase sharing,
reuse, recycling and composting.
Develop regional partnerships (such as with Goodwill & others) to promote sharing,
reuse and recycling.
Identify local processing facilities, especially for diapers, bathroom, & pet waste--the
wastes currently hardest to manage.
ZERO WASTE & CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Reducing the amount of waste discarded in landfills is an important strategy for both greenhouse gas reductions
and overall sustainability. Diverting waste from landfills occurs through product changes, material use reduction,
reuse, recycling, and composting. These create a “circular economy” where materials, water and energy do not
create waste or pollute, but rather contribute their value back into a sustainable, circular cycle of human and
ecosystem activity. (Lead department: Public Works)
Palo Alto’s current “diversion rate” is 79%, close behind San Francisco as one of the leading
cities in the US. Getting to our 95% goal will require both refinement of existing programs and
“upstream” work with both the businesses that generate what will become waste and the
residents and companies that purchase what will eventually become waste.
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 8 of 15
GOALS
Reduce consumption
Provide sufficient quantity of water of the right water quality for the right use
Protect creeks, bay, and groundwater
Lead by example
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Develop a Green Storm Water Infrastructure Plan to better capture and infiltrate
storm water back into the hydrologic cycle and integrate with Urban Forestry Plan.
Develop a long-term Water Integrated Resources Plan that includes potable water
alternatives, demand side management, and recycled water.
Develop a local ordinance (similar to San Francisco’s) that facilitates the use of non-
traditional non-potable water sources such as gray, black, and storm water.
Develop programs to encourage more use of non-traditional sources of non-potable
water such as gray, black, and storm water.
Develop a policy and local ordinance to facilitate water self-sufficient (net zero)
construction.
Explore build a new or modifying an existing City facility to be water self-sufficient
(net zero).
Investigate installation of additional trash capture devices in the storm drain system
to improve storm water quality.
Investigate delivery of recycled water to other agencies for non-potable use.
Investigate delivery of raw water to other agencies for further treatment.
Convert ornamental turf on medians and City parks to conserve water use at existing
facilities, following evaluation of costs.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Palo Alto has done an outstanding job of meeting annual water use reduction requirements of the
current “drought.” But both potable water supplies and hydroelectric needs could be challenged by long-
term shifts in California’s precipitation regime. With shifting climate patterns, and significant long-term
water supply uncertainty, it would be prudent to reduce water consumption while exploring ways to
capture and store water, as well as to increase the availability and use of recycled water. (Lead
departments: Utilities, Public Works)
Perhaps more than most of the other SIP elements, Water Management will require extensive
public engagement, since many people will assume the “drought” is over, or bristle at rising
water rates as deeper consumption cuts take hold (and cling to their attachment to lawns).
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 9 of 15
GOALS
Create energy and water efficient buildings
Minimize emissions & maximize efficiency of City Fleet
“Default to Green” purchasing for goods & services
Embed sustainability in City management systems, processes, and operations
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Evaluate City Buildings and develop appropriate water use, efficiency and
electrification plans and policies for existing and new City buildings. Evaluate
implementing these and other types of sustainability measures in new Capital
Improvement Projects (CIPs).
Strengthen City’s requirements for its own facilities by assessing the cost and
benefits of meeting higher LEED & other standards.
Embed sustainability in City management systems, processes, and operations,
including contracting and CIPs.
Update Green Purchasing policy directives, ordinances, operating procedures,
tracking systems, etc.
Explore options to accelerate electrification of the city fleet, including partnerships with
car-sharing, leasing and other companies.
Evaluate third party EV charging providers as an option for expanding EV charging
infrastructure.
Fund Green Purchasing Manager by adding 0.5 FTE to Administrative Services
Department (ASD) to manage green purchasing.
Add Green Specs & Policies to ASD Purchasing Manual.
Add and enforce green elements in contracts.
Explore development of an internal price for carbon in City management and finance.
Add “Sustainability Impacts” section into staff report templates.
MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
Palo Alto is upgrading existing facilities and purchasing and constructing new ones to achieve energy and
water use efficiency while minimizing carbon and other emissions. While City operations account for only
3.1% of the community’s electric use, 2.9% of its natural gas use, and 5.3% of its water use (in 2014), it is
critical for the City to demonstrate leadership and be the first to implement new reduction measures.
(Lead department: Public Works)
In addition to reducing expenses (for example, the ~$6m the City spends on utility service for
City facilities), the City’s “we go first” commitment is key to engaging the public in comparable
efforts.
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 10 of 15
GOALS
Plan for the upcoming changes in our climate and environment
Protect the City from climate change hazards
Adapt to current & projected conditions
Empower local community and foster regional partnerships
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Develop a Sea Level Rise (SLR) Policy and Plan, including vulnerability assessment and
asset-based risk assessment.
Develop strategies, policies and building codes to protect key infrastructure, and to
optimize ecosystem services by maximizing horizontal levees (Ecotones)
Protect existing infrastructure by designing San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers
Authority (JPA) Levee Project along the Bay (SAFER).
Educate property owners on risks of sea level rise and flooding.
Encourage owners to build climate-adaptive/resilient features into designs.
Consider adopting financial incentives to guide development and reduce flooding
risk.
Develop green storm water infrastructure policies and projects to capture, store
and/or infiltrate water. (See Municipal Operations)
Implement Palo Alto’s chapter of County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Secure funding for coastal protection by applying for Measure AA Funds.
Complete the “downstream” San Francisquito Creek flood control projects.
Participate in regional alliances for policy advocacy.
CLIMATE ADAPTATION & RESILIENCE
Palo Alto will build resilience planning into city planning, capital projects, policies, building codes, and
especially near the San Francisco Bay shoreline. This includes ensuring appropriate forecasting of water
supply and energy security into the future, optimizing and preserving ecosystem services to protect from
sea level rise and flooding as well as implementing the Palo Alto Chapter of the County Mitigation Plan,
and participating in regional alliances for policy advocacy. Further, multiple plans for engaging with the
residential and business communities to educate, solicit their participation and to assist them in
compliance with any new measures will be essential. (Lead department: Public Works)
Recent projections by the National Research Council anticipate a potential 3 to 5.5 foot rise in
SF Bay water levels by 2100. How will we prepare? What will we protect? How will we adapt?
Where will we, if necessary, retreat?
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 11 of 15
GOALS
Renew, restore and enhance resilience of our natural environment
Align S/CAP planning for the Natural Environment with other City plans
Maximize carbon sequestration and storage in the Natural Environment
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Explore programs and policies that use of Palo Alto’s public and private natural
capital (e.g., canopy, soils, watersheds, etc.) to provide local carbon offsets and other
environmental benefits
Adapt canopy parklands, biodiversity & soil health to changing climatic regimes.
Implement the Urban Forest & Parks Plans together.
Explore expanding the requirements of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(WELO) to further the S/CAP Goals.
Audit Palo Alto’s Common Wealth*, and prepare a “legacy “plan to leave these assets
in good condition for future generations.
Develop a Green Infrastructure Policy and deploy green infrastructure for roofs,
streets, parking, etc.
Establish buffers for natural ecosystems & ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss.
Maximize carbon sequestration & other ecosystem services.
Develop methods for providing jointly for solar carports & trees.
REGENERATION AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Sustainability is not only about mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, but also regeneration –identifying
opportunities for renewal, restoration and growth of our natural resources and environment. Palo Alto
will continue to build and restore its natural resources, “common wealth” and the bio-capacity that
supports it, including soils, tree canopy, biodiversity, and other components. Enhancing and maintaining
Green Infrastructure will use natural areas and systems to provide habitat, flood protection, storm water
management, cleaner air, cleaner water, and human health enhancement. (Lead departments: Public
Works, Sustainability)
*“Common wealth” refers to the wealth we share in common, including the natural
environment and its ecosystem services, and civic infrastructure.
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 12 of 15
GOALS
Goal: Utilize diverse financial pathways to drive S/CAP
NEW/KEY ACTIONS
Complete development and policy direction on financial and demand-management
tools including carbon-neutral natural gas, paid public parking, and paid electric
vehicle charging.
Explore utilizing the general fund or other financing sources to incentivize
electrification (See Energy)
Explore development of an internal price for carbon in City operations and financial
management. (See Municipal Operations)
Explore development of a local carbon tax or fund.
Identify a potential neighborhoods or commercial district as a special district to carry
out innovative pilot projects around GHG reduction, electric transportation
development, or other approaches, possibly using the Cool Block model.
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FINANCING STRATEGIES
Implementation of the goals and strategies identified in the S/CAP will require investment of public and
private funds; these investments should be designed and assessed based on GHG mitigation cost as well
as net present value and return on investment. S/CAP projections are current best estimates in the face
of rapidly evolving technologies and rapidly improving price/performance ratios in energy, mobility and
other sectors; they will need to be revised periodically. (Lead departments: Sustainability, Administrative
Services)
S/CAP initiatives and other sustainability efforts may require additional funding. Options such
as operating savings, parking feebates, revolving loan funds, local offsets, carbon tax or fee,
green bonds, transfer taxes, public/private partnerships and private financial vehicles will be
explored as needed.
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 13 of 15
SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION PLAN:
Guiding Principles, Design Principles, and Design Criteria
Council approved (November 28, 2016) these guiding principles, design principles and decision criteria to
assist Staff in developing and refining near term strategies that support the City’s long term vision and goals.
Fully anticipating that many things will change on the path to 2030, Council expects that Staff and Council will
apply these Principles and Criteria in designing and selecting specific programs and policies to pursue, and in
allocating public resources to support them.
Guiding Principles
The Vision Statement for the 1998 Comprehensive Plan Governance Element declares that:
“Palo Alto will maintain a positive civic image and be a leader in the regional, state, and national
policy discussions affecting the community. The City will work with neighboring communities to
address common concerns and pursue common interests. The public will be actively and effectively
involved in City affairs, both at the Citywide and neighborhood levels.”3
S/CAP builds on that vision with these guiding principles as a basis for effective and sustainable decision-
making:
Consider “sustainability” in its broadest dimensions, including quality of life, the natural environment
and resilience, not just climate change and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Address the sustainability issues most important to the community and select most cost-effective
programs and policies—recognizing that this will entail moral and political, as well as economic,
decision factors.
Seek to improve quality of life as well as environmental quality, economic health and social equity.
Foster a prosperous, robust and inclusive economy.
Build resilience—both physical and cultural—throughout the community.
Include diverse perspectives from all community stakeholders, residents, and businesses.
Recognize Palo Alto’s role as a leader and linkages with regional, national and global community.
Design Principles
Focus on what’s feasible—recognizing that technology and costs are shifting rapidly.
Prioritize actions that are in the City’s control – recognizing that we can urge others to join us, but
leading by example is most effective
Be specific about the actions and costs to achieve near-term goals, while accepting that longer-term
goals can be more aspirational
Use ambient resources: Maximize the efficient capture and use of the energy and water that fall on
Palo Alto.
Full cost accounting: Use total (life cycle) cost of ownership and consideration of externalities to
guide financial decisions, while focusing on emission reductions that achievable at a point in time (i.e.
not on life cycle emissions).
Align incentives: Ensure that subsidies, if any, and other investment of public resources encourage
what we want and discourage what we don’t want.
Flexible platforms: Take practical near term steps that expand rather than restrict capacity for future
actions and pivots.
3 http://www.paloaltocompplan.org/plan-contents/governance-element/
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 14 of 15
Decision Criteria
Greenhouse gas impact
Quality of life impact
Mitigation cost
Return on investment (ROI)
Ecosystem health
Resilience
Impact on future generations
Sustainability Implementation Plan 2017-2020 Page 15 of 15
How Will the Comprehensive Plan Update & the
Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Work Together?
Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan
Update and the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) are be-
ing prepared in parallel and will both
address issues related to sustainability,
including reducing greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions and single occu-
pant vehicle trips, conserving energy,
water, and other natural resources,
and adapting to expected changes in
climate and resulting impacts such
as sea level rise, drought, increased
flooding and fire risk, etc. The fol-
lowing points describe how these two
concurrent planning efforts interact
with each other.
The Comprehensive Plan Update will
embrace principles of sustainability
via new goals, policies, and imple-
mentation programs, particularly in
the Transportation, Land Use & Com-
munity Design, Natural Environment,
and Safety elements of the updated
plan. A subcommittee of the Citizens
Advisory Committee has been formed
to work across elements on this issue.
Also, the use of icons or a special sec-
tion in the final plan can allow readers
to find goals, policies, and programs
related to sustainability and climate
change adaption wherever they occur
in the document.
The Comprehensive Plan Update will
describe the intent and scope of the
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan and explicitly incorporate the
plan by reference, similar to how
other important community plans
will be referenced (e.g. the Baylands
Master Plan; the Local Hazard Mitiga-
tion Plan; the Parks, Trails and Open
Space Master Plan; the Urban Forest
Master Plan, etc.).
As a more focused plan, the Sus-tainability and Climate Action Plan
will be much more specific than the
Comprehensive Plan Update when
it comes to strategies for reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
for addressing other sustainability-re-
lated topics. The Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan will also look
out farther than the Comprehensive
Plan Update horizon year of 2030.
Both the Comprehensive Plan Up-
date and the Sustainability and Cli-mate Action Plan will require review
pursuant to the California Environ-
mental Quality Act (CEQA) and the
Draft Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) that is being prepared for the
Comprehensive Plan Update will con-
tain a conservative (i.e. probably high)
forecast of community-wide GHG
emissions in the year 2030. The Sus-
tainability and Climate Action Plan
will be more aspirational in assuming
aggressive emission reductions.
Finalization, adoption and imple-
mentation of the Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan will be included
as a mitigation measure in the Com-
prehensive Plan Update Draft EIR to
ensure that the City meets or exceeds
the State’s targets for GHG emission
reductions in 2030 and 2050.
Palo Alto’s Comprehen-
sive Plan Update and
the Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan
are being prepared in
parallel and will both
address issues related to
sustainability.
Interested in helping craft solutions to
the critical issues facing us now and
into the future? Join us at the Sustain-
ability and Climate Action Summit:www.cityofpaloalto.org/scapreg