HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-17 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Agenda PacketCLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Special Meeting
Friday, April 17, 2026
Community Meeting Room & Hybrid
2:00 PM
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the
option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. Information on how the
public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The
meeting will be broadcast live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto.
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Meeting ID: 853 8091 8387 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
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minutes or an amount of time determind by the Chair. General public comment will be heard
for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to
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comments can be submitted in advance to city.council@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to
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presiding officer reduces the speaking time for individual speakers.
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1 April 17, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of
speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
STANDING VERBAL REPORTS
A.Staff Comments
B.Committee Member Comments and Announcements
ACTION ITEMS
1.Review and Discussion of Scope of Policy Research and Analysis Planned for 2026-2027
S/CAP Work Plan Items CA13, CA14, and CA16 focused on the Regulatory and Financial
Strategies and Scenarios for Community-wide Electrification; CEQA Status – Not a Project
Late Packet Report Added
2.Status Update on 2026 Communications and Engagement Planned for 2026-2027 S/CAP
Work Plan Items C1, C2, and C3; CEQA Status – Not a Project Late Packet Report Added
FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s)
ADJOURNMENT
2 April 17, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@PaloAlto.gov.
2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the
table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliever it to the Clerk prior to
discussion of the item.
3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be
accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link
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4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number
listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we
know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before
addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 853 8091 8387 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
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3 April 17, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an
elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a
license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution
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decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform
Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources
of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a
“party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a
Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the
campaign contribution before making your comments.
4 April 17, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
Staff Report
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: April 17, 2026
Report #:2604-6204
TITLE
Review and Discussion of Scope of Policy Research and Analysis Planned for 2026-2027 S/CAP
Work Plan Items CA13, CA14, and CA16 focused on the Regulatory and Financial Strategies and
Scenarios for Community-wide Electrification; CEQA Status – Not a Project
This item will be a late packet publication on 4/9/26.
Item 1
Item 1 Staff Report
Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 5 of 31
9
7
4
3
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
Staff Report
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: April 17, 2026
Report #:2604-6205
TITLE
Status Update on 2026 Communications and Engagement Planned for 2026-2027 S/CAP Work
Plan Items C1, C2, and C3; CEQA Status – Not a Project
This item will be a late packet publication on 4/9/26.
Item 2
Item 2 Staff Report
Item 2: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 6 of 31
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: April 17, 2026
Report #:2602-5956
TITLE
Review and Discussion of Scope of Policy Research and Analysis Planned for 2026-2027 S/CAP
Work Plan Items CA13, CA14, and CA16 focused on the Regulatory and Financial Strategies and
Scenarios for Community-wide Electrification; CEQA Status – Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
This is a discussion item to engage the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee (CASC)
about regulatory options staff intends to explore and scenarios and strategies it intends to
model, and to collect feedback to ensure the scope aligns with community priorities. No action
or recommendation is requested.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report outlines the key elements staff plans to evaluate in developing policy options for
community-wide electrification, including potential regulations, scenarios for the pace of
electrification, the City’s role and strategies, and related issues such as carbon pricing and the
transition from gas. Staff intends to complete this analysis by the end of 2026, with the goal of
CASC and UAC review in December 2026 or Q1 2027. To facilitate this rapid timeline, staff plans
to seek feedback from the CASC in June on the policy options to be analyzed and the scope of
the analysis to ensure it effectively enables CASC, UAC, and City Council policy review and
decision making.
To enable development of these policy options staff is seeking CASC feedback on regulatory
approaches staff is considering integrating into the policy options. The report includes a survey
of regulations and pricing approaches used in other jurisdictions; some outside of California.
Not all elements reviewed will necessarily be feasible for final policy packages due to legal,
operational, or business constraints. However, staff is seeking CASC feedback on the list of
regulatory items to explore—especially priorities, gaps, or concerns—and will incorporate that
input when returning with specific policy packages for analysis, ideally before the Council’s
Item 1.
Item 1 Late Packet Report
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 7 of 31
summer break. Feedback is intended to ensure staff work is focused and the prospective
detailed analysis completed is in alignment with expectations.
BACKGROUND
1 As
part of the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan4 staff worked with a consultant, E3, to establish an
S/CAP Funding Model and supporting input data to model the costs, benefits, and funding
needs of different scenarios and strategies for community-wide electrification.2
3 which includes
Climate Action work plan items CA 13 (Develop Funding and Financing Strategies for
Consideration), CA 14 (Regulatory Measures), and CA 16 (Cost-Based Pricing of Non-Electric
Decarbonization and Inefficient Electrification). This staff report outlines how staff intends to
further these work items over the course of this year.
4 and October 17, 20255 meetings,
respectively, suggested that while only about 40% of gas utility costs were associated with the
fixed costs of distributing gas, meaning they did not necessarily decline with declining gas
usage, reductions in those costs would require very high levels of electrification. It would take
very high levels of electrification before there were enough gas mains without usage that could
be abandoned and result in reductions in costs of operating the distribution system. This
transitional cost will be critical to consider in any strategic analysis.
ANALYSIS
1 https://www.paloalto.gov/climateaction
2 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Special Meeting, December 13, 2025; Agenda Item #A; SR #2507-
5025, https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=84030&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
3 City Council, March 2, 2026; Agenda Item #9; SR #2602-5985,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=86664&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
4 Utilities Advisory Commission, October 1, 2025; Agenda Item #2; SR #2502-4137,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=84155&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
5 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, October 17, 2025; Agenda Item #2; SR #2507-5022,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83904&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
Item 1.
Item 1 Late Packet Report
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 8 of 31
scenarios for community-wide electrification and the funding needs for each. These scenarios
gave insight into the financial dynamics of community-wide electrification, but were not
actionable, in part because they were based on a 2024 policy environment.
End of life replacement regulations, where cost-effective
A building emissions savings ordinance, where efficiency or electrification measures are
funded (or completed, if preferred) upon building sale
Building performance standards, where larger commercial buildings are required to
meet efficiency or emissions standards that tighten over time
Rental habitability standards that require landlords to implement a certain level of
energy efficiency over time. Staff would explore whether and how such standards could
be used for electrification
Tenant “right to plug” rules requiring landlords to allow tenants to install EV charging
unless they provide it themselves. Rules like these could be paired with City programs to
make such installations easier for both tenants and landlords.
Item 1.
Item 1 Late Packet Report
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 9 of 31
Staff would pair regulatory options with City program strategies to develop policy options that
vary in the pace at which the community achieves its emissions goals. Staff would return with
these policy options for CASC feedback in June before completing modeling to ensure they
cover a complete range of policy options the CASC believes the City Council would want to
consider. The policy options would include an updated “business as usual” baseline for what
electrification would occur absent any City regulatory or programmatic actions, and would
include the infrastructure investment needed to support that electrification under the baseline
scenario. It would then include several other policy options, including:
Options that maintain current levels of electrification program spending, though
adapted to maximize cost-efficiency and complemented by local regulations, with a
prediction of how quickly the community would achieve its emissions goals at that level
of spending.
Policy options designed to achieve specific targets, such as 80x35, 80x40, and 80x45
11 and Low Carbon Fuel Standard revenues), new
taxes, or utility ratepayer revenues (e.g. through a surcharge), though the latter requires
analysis of the rate impact and potential electrification-related cost for any given proposal. The
legal requirements for these revenue sources, such as ballot measures, would be highlighted
and the timelines for their implementation would be factored into the scenarios. Any
uncertainties about these revenue sources (such as long-term availability of special revenue
sources) would be factored in as well.
11 Cap and Invest was previously known as Cap and Trade. While the funding sources have been reauthorized
through 2045, Air Resources Board rulemakings continue (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/rulemaking/2026/cap-and-
invest2026) and there continues to be uncertainty about revenue amounts and limitations on use of revenue.
Item 1.
Item 1 Late Packet Report
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 10 of 31
There has been some discussion by the CASC and community environmental stakeholders
about including a wider variety of global environmental costs within Palo Alto’s gas rates. It is
possible that under high electrification scenarios declining sales could lead to an increase in gas
rates if fixed costs were not reduced as quickly as sales declined, which could have a similar
effect, though this is less likely in early years. The California constitution requires the City’s gas
rates to reflect only the City’s cost to provide gas service to ratepayers, unless 2/3 of Palo Alto
ratepayers approve adding additional costs to their rates. Attachment B includes a survey of
different carbon pricing approaches.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
13
13 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Special Meeting, December 13, 2025; Agenda Item #A; SR #2507-
5025, https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=84030&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
Item 1.
Item 1 Late Packet Report
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 11 of 31
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This update is for informational purposes only with no action requested by the CASC, and
therefore it is not a project subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Survey of Electrification Regulations
Attachment B: Survey of Carbon Pricing Approaches
APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer
Item 1.
Item 1 Late Packet Report
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 12 of 31
Attachment A
1
0
6
1
5
Survey of Electrification Regulations
Activity/Trigger Regulation Description Examples Notes
Energy use standards for new construction that
take source energy into account, which ensures
the carbon-related costs of mixed fuel homes are
included in calculations
Electric readiness when installing mixed fuel
equipment
EV charger / EV readiness requirements
California statewide energy
code, local amendments with
more stringent standards
Already in effect in Palo Alto,
regulations regularly reviewed
and improved.
Electric readiness upon tenant improvement / unit
or room remodel with hydronic heat system –
ensure hydronic terminals can be resized to
handle lower temp water. High temperature gas-
fueled hydronic systems use smaller fans, and
heat pumps cannot provide high enough
temperature water for the smaller fans
None found This is a potential form of
electrification readiness to
investigate that addresses
commonly encountered
challenges replacing gas
hydronic systems. This may or
may not be technically feasible
upon review.
New
Construction
and major
remodels
Major renovation ordinance (gas only allowed if
electric cannot be done safely or feasibly)
San Francisco implementing
this effective July 1, 2026
Track ordinance
AC→HP regulation: require either efficiency
measures or a heat pump replacement upon
replacement of an air conditioning unit
Mountain View – already in
effect (January 1, 2026)
Palo Alto – becomes effective
Jan 1, 2027
Already adopted by Palo Alto.
Implementation planning in
progress. Tracking lessons
learned from other agencies’
implementations
GWH->HPWH regulations: require either
efficiency measures (e.g. solar water heating) or a
heat pump water heater upon gas water heater
replacement
Cost-effectiveness study
completed, but not aware of
agencies adopting this
Under consideration as part of
2026 Reach Code adoption
End of life
equipment
replacement
Building Electrification Savings Ordinance
(BESO): Upon home sale, require efficiency or
electrification measure implementation or funding
for future implementation by buyer and seller
City of Berkeley – already in
effect (January 1, 2026)
Potentially impactful, requires
operational analysis, would
require outreach to key
stakeholders (e.g. realtors)
Item 1.
Attachment A Survey of Electrification
Regulations
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 13 of 31
Attachment A
1
0
6
1
5
Activity/Trigge
r
Regulation Description Examples Notes
Zero NOx requirements based on air quality /
public health regulatory authority
Bay Area Air District Rule 9-6,
effective January 1, 2027
Town of Los Altos Hills,
currently in effect
South Coast Air District currently
in litigation about zero NOx
regulation, do not recommend
considering local regulations until
resolved
Building performance standards (BPS) – requiring
buildings (generally larger buildings) to meet
gradually tightening efficiency or emissions
standards
Statewide BPS in effect in
Washington State, Colorado,
Maryland, and Oregon
City-level BPS in effect in
Washington DC, New York
City, Boston, St Louis
California Energy
Commission developing
strategy for statewide BPS
per SB 48 (2023)
West Hollywood sole
California city with BPS,
others considering it
Potentially impactful, requires
more operational analysis
Establish efficiency standards for housing for
health and safety
Boulder Smartregs program
(since 2010)
Potentially impactful, would
require operational analysis
Mandated
electrification
or
electrification
support
Cooling habitability standard – require rental
properties to be able to maintain indoor
temperatures below a certain level (e.g. 82
degrees). In practice this can provide a pathway
for heat pump installation.
Arizona and Nevada:
Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson,
Clark County
California Dept of Housing &
Community Development
recommends maximum safe
indoor temps in report per AB
2091
Could consider as part of rental
licensing program above
1 https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/policy-and-research/plan-report/ab-209-policy-recommendations.pdf
Item 1.
Attachment A Survey of Electrification
Regulations
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 14 of 31
Attachment A
1
0
6
1
5
Activity/Trigger Regulation Description Examples Notes
Clean Heat Standard - require gas utilities to
achieve emissions reductions through various
types of measures (efficiency, RNG / green
hydrogen, electrification) subject to a cost cap
State of Colorado Clean Heat
Plans (22% emissions
reduction by 2030, 2.5%
ratepayer impact cost cap)
This could be duplicative of the
City’s existing emissions goals,
but staff could evaluate what
concepts could be adapted from
CO regulations
Limiting manufacturer sales of GHG emitting
appliances
California Air Resources
Board (CARB) developing
rules to limit GHG emitting
appliances – not yet finalized
or proposed to CARB board
This type of regulation is more
compelling at a state rather than
local level
End of gas date City of Half Moon Bay (by
2045)
Staff would recommend
completing gas transition and
studies of funding for community
electrification to inform a goal
Make a plan to end gas service to a specific area
based on a neighborhood vote
CA investor-owned utility –
pilot “Neighborhood
Decarbonization Zones” per
SB 1221 (2024) is being
explored involving
neighborhood consent to
relieve obligation to serve for
a neighborhood
Mandated EV
adoption, EV
charger
adoption, or
EV / charging
regulatory
support
EV charging in multi-family buildings at major
event or by date certain
Various agencies require EV
readiness upon modification
of parking or electrical
No agencies found requiring
retrofits by a date certain
Considering EV readiness upon
modification of parking or
electrical as part of 2026 Reach
Codes
Recommend against requiring
charging by a date certain until
incentive-free business models
for multi-family EV charging can
be tested.
Item 1.
Attachment A Survey of Electrification
Regulations
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 15 of 31
Attachment A
1
0
6
1
5
Activity/Trigger Regulation Description Examples Notes
Tenant “right to plug” – require landlords to allow
tenants to install EV charging at their own
expense
France, Code de la
construction et de l’habitation
(CCH) Article L113-16.
Similar code in Germany.
Already included in California
State Law (CA Civil Code
1947.6), local outreach could
increase use.
Ultra-low emissions driving zone – tax vehicles
that do not meet certain emissions standards
London Complex administratively, would
require change in CA law to allow
this
Emissions-based parking charges – charge
vehicles that do not meet certain emissions
standards more for parking permits
London, various boroughs Potentially impactful, may require
change in state law to permit this.
Limit manufacturer sales of gasoline vehicles State of California Advanced
Clean Cars II regulation –
currently stalled due to
Federal actions being litigated
This type of regulation is more
compelling at a state level
Item 1.
Attachment A Survey of Electrification
Regulations
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 16 of 31
Attachment B
Survey of Carbon Pricing Approaches
Pricing Approach Examples Notes
Carbon Offset Gas: reflecting in the gas rates the cost of
complying with mandated participation in the regional Cap
and Trade program plus purchasing offsets eligible for
certification by the California Air Resources Board
City of Palo Alto current practice Already in effect in Palo Alto. This
is the baseline approach for
carbon pricing.
Carbon Offset Gas with Different Offset Mix: Purchasing
different products than currently purchased to offset natural
gas. Some types of carbon offsets or carbon removal
products are more expensive than the lowest cost options
on the market. If these are more durable, more scalable,
have more market potential, or are more robustly verifiable
than other offsets, the community may consider the higher
cost may worthwhile.
Requires more investigation, but
some kinds of carbon dioxide
removal like biochar or direct air
capture currently cost more than
offsets currently purchased for the
Carbon Offset Gas portfolio
Additional research required to
identify alternative offsets.
Carbon Tax (or Tax and Dividend): Taxing carbon
emissions to reflect the estimated cost impacts of emitting
carbon and using the funds either to fund emissions
reduction programs or to return them to community
members. This differs slightly from California’s Cap and
Trade program in that the price is set administratively or
legislatively rather than using an allowance trading market
mechanism to set the price.
Examples include the City of
Boulder, CO Climate Tax1 on gas
and electricity, British Colombia’s tax
and dividend system, national
carbon taxes in Finland, Sweden,
and other European Union countries.
Staff has heard stakeholder
interest in understanding this
approach. . A possible design
feature could be a tax only on
usage above a certain amount, or
with exemptions for income-
qualified community members
Voluntary Carbon Pricing Program: Drawing on the
history of voluntary action in Palo Alto, staff can also
evaluate whether a voluntary carbon fee on gas, perhaps
one that directed funds for use solely on the property for
which the fees were assessed, could be feasible.
PaloAltoGreen (voluntary green
electricity program that ended in
2013)
Staff can evaluate a variety of
options: opt-in or opt-out
programs, or programs required to
participate in certain City
electrification programs.
1 https://bouldercolorado.gov/climate-tax-frequently-asked-questions
Item 1.
Attachment B Survey of Carbon Pricing
Approaches
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 11 Packet Pg. 17 of 31
Attachment B
Pricing Approach Examples Notes
Renewable Gas Procurement: Staff can also evaluate
renewable natural gas procurement requirements.
Renewable natural gas use is a carbon-free alternative to
electrification, and incorporating it into the gas portfolio
would reflect the true cost of achieving emissions reduction
while continuing to use natural gas.
California requires investor-owned
utility biomethane purchases equal
to about 12% of core demand by
2030.
Vermont, Oregon, Quebec, and
British Columbia have similar
standards
Lack of a short-term market for
renewable gas results in a risk of
stranded assets under a high
electrification scenario where gas
demand reduces rapidly, since
long-term purchases are generally
required.
Clean Heat Standard: This Colorado program is similar to
a renewable gas procurement requirement in that it
requires gas utilities to achieve emissions reductions, but it
allows for reductions to be achieved through other
measures (e.g. electrification, gas efficiency, or methane
capture) in addition to renewable natural gas.
State of Colorado Clean Heat
Standard, similar regulations in
Vermont, Illinois, and New Jersey
This may be less applicable to the
City of Palo Alto, which has control
over its gas utility and what
electrification programs the City
offers, but staff can review this
standard for any concepts that
could apply locally.
Item 1.
Attachment B Survey of Carbon Pricing
Approaches
Item 1.: Staff Report Pg. 12 Packet Pg. 18 of 31
Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: April 17, 2026
Report #:2603-6032
TITLE
Status Update on 2026 Communications and Engagement Planned for 2026-2027 S/CAP Work
Plan Items C1, C2, and C3.
RECOMMENDATION
This is a discussion item; no action or recommendation is requested.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Three distinct 2026-2027 Sustainability/Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) workplan items were
added this year specific to communications and community engagement- Items C1, C2 and C3
(referenced in detail in the Background section).
Advancing strategies within these workplan items:
Creates space for the community to understand how they are connected to the City’s
Sustainability and Climate Action goals
Builds community awareness about what is possible–through City programs, resources
and tools–to create meaningful change one homeowner, business-owner, property
owner, employee, visitor and renter at a time
Leverages partners to extend our work and reach specifically through communication
and engagement
Helps to drive community interest in City programs, ultimately influencing community
action to support S/CAP goals
This staff report shares details on the planned work ahead, including:
updating the City’s S/CAP theme and tagline to continue to unify citywide S/CAP
branding and marketing.
celebrating sustainability milestones to build community awareness,
sharing tools and resources for the community to take action to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, and
Item 2.
Item 2 Late Packet Report
Item 2.: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 19 of 31
leveraging community partners to extend City S/CAP communications and community
engagement.
BACKGROUND
Communications and engagement are fundamental elements of the 2026-2027
Sustainability/Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Work Plan, notably to build community awareness,
drive community participation, and celebrate achievements as the plan’s goals support the
whole community.
Based on direction from Council on March 2, 2026, the updated communications-specific
workplan items incorporate additional clarifications as noted below (additions are underlined):
C1. Build Awareness about Sustainability and Climate Action and City Programs Available to
the Community. Achieve widespread awareness about sustainability and climate action, the 80
x 30 goal, City services and programs, achievements and community benefits including the
health benefits of switching to electric appliances. Leverage partnerships with local volunteers
and organizations to drive grassroots outreach helping to build residents, commercial
customers, and contractor awareness. Develop a community engagement tool kit using best
practices reflected in other toolkits such as the San Mateo County plan.
C2. Drive Community Actions to Achieve S/CAP Goals: Run effective marketing and outreach
campaigns, leveraging partnerships that seek to increase program participation and drive
community action in initiatives to achieve S/CAP goals.
C3. S/CAP Data Collection and Annual Reporting: Track community sentiment and
engagement, including key performance indicators, through tools such as surveys and online
analytics, and program analysis to guide decision making. Annually develop, implement, and
report out on S/CAP communications objectives and progress.
Staff utilize several metrics to track and evaluate changes in messaging, and outreach strategies
used, such as:
Digital communications analysis and data tracking through websites, digital landing
pages, and social media
Google and social media advertising
Message testing through digital e-blasts which evaluates effectiveness and sends higher
performing messaging through the platform
Annual community satisfaction survey results, and social media polls and surveys
Community partnership feedback and outreach, such as Youth Climate Action Board
input and Silicon Valley 350 Palo Alto support for outreach/event hosting and resharing
social media posts and print collateral
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ANALYSIS
The City’s overarching sustainability and climate action communications strategies seek to build
community awareness around City goals and progress; offer tangible ways residents and the
broader community can take action to advance communitywide sustainability goals and
celebrate milestones and achievements reaching the S/CAP goals. Since the adoption of the
S/CAP, staff unified S/CAP elements under one brand and tagline, shared progress on goals, and
communicated about programs, services and resources available to residents and businesses to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The City’s communications/marketing approaches and
strategies are broad and vary based on audience. All communications efforts build on each
other using digital tools and printed collateral, leveraging partners, and hosting community
events/workshops to build awareness and influence community action.
Key to the City’s efforts include continuing to communicate milestones, results and progress,
creating community connections to the S/CAP elements and programs, announcing special
promotions, new programs or changes to existing programs, sharing resources/rebates, and
celebrating achievements.
Staff will present a status update on workplan items, including the following:
Updating the City’s S/CAP theme to continue to unify S/CAP branding and marketing
A theme and tagline help building awareness, inspires the community to embrace changes and
influences action to advance sustainability efforts by offering a connection to the S/CAP and
reinforces what’s possible through the City’s goals, priorities and programs. It also provides a
visual reminder of connections between individual program communications and unifying
strategic purpose.
Work underway offers an update to the theme and tagline to better connect the community to
our S/CAP, programs, services and achievements. Last week, staff presented the two
theme/tagline finalists to our Youth Climate Action Board (YCAB). Feedback gained at the YCAB
meeting included:
Consensus and excitement around the final tagline “Sustaining Our Future.” Noted
comments from the YCAB included the theme and tagline is community centered,
connotation of progress and innovation while still connecting to our past and where
we’ve come from
Community connection to actions that support future generations and S/CAP goals
Use of a tree icon to reinforce Palo Alto generally, plus sustainability, and progress
Embraced the use of photos, visuals and branding colors to bring together all S/CAP
elements
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Staff will present our work to date at the committee meeting, along with final tagline details to
gain additional committee input. Throughout 2026, the updated tagline will be used to connect
the S/CAP elements together, build awareness, and inspire community action.
Celebrating sustainability milestones to build community awareness
celebrating the start of construction of the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project
launching a new electrification portal
refreshing the Regional Water Quality Control Plan website, sharing Capital
infrastructure project milestones that support sustainability, climate action and
adaptation
Sharing tools and resources for the community to take action to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions through City programs and services
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advertising, and mailed collateral such as flyers, posters, door hangers, utility bills and lawn
signs to share public information, build awareness and drive community action.
1,160 posts on climate and sustainability through City social media channels
Over 500,000 views on the City’s social media platforms
Climate Action blog series 9 posts with 357 reads
About 50,000 views on Nextdoor posts
8 targeted digital newsletters and eblasts sent with a 52% open rate
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Regular committee communications status updates
Throughout 2026, quarterly informational reports will provide a summary of communications
and engagement efforts and an opportunity to look ahead at work planned for the next
quarter. Tentative timing of these informational updates through committee staff comments
includes a review of Q1 communications results at the May meeting, review of Q2 results in
August, Q3 results in October, and Q4 results summary in February along with 2026 annual
results.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
No funding is being requested. As noted in the work plan adoption, these specific items are fully
staffed and partially funded.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Stakeholder engagement and community outreach are an integral part of S/CAP
implementation and is a component of all S/CAP initiatives. The communications focus of the
2026 and 2027 S/CAP Work Plan includes building widespread awareness about sustainability
and climate action, running effective outreach campaigns to drive community action and
program participation in initiatives to achieve S/CAP goals, and tracking community sentiment
and engagement to guide decision making.
Staff will also continue to advance stakeholder engagement through the Climate Action and
Sustainability Committee, the Climate Action Working Group, Youth Climate Action Board, and
leveraging community partnerships and community connections to extend the City’s outreach
and engagement. Major outreach efforts include Earth Day Festival, utilizing other major events
like May Fete Parade and Fair to share program information and encourage community action
through city programs, signing up for the City’s sustainability newsletter, following the City’s
climate action blog series and more.
Key online resources:
-Electrify My Home
-Electrification Rebate Hub
-Sustainability Goals and Progress
-Sign Up for Sustainability eNews
-Sign Up for Transportation Connect
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This update is for informational purposes with no action requested by the committee, and
therefore it is not a project subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
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ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
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SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION COMMUNICATIONS ANALYTICS
January 1, 2025- December 31, 2025
Summary Results
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
• 1,160 posts across 4 social media platforms including Nextdoor; generally,
25% of total impressions on City channels in 2025
• 9 Climate Action blog posts with 357 reads
• Total Sustainability Newsletters published, with over 52% open rate
• ZeroWaste posts on Instagram with 25,463 views
• Started new effort sharing social media content with community partners to
increase engagement rate
PRINT OUTREACH
• 7 Utility Bill Inserts in 2025
• Thousands of printed flyers and brochures distributed at events and shared
with partners
• Three mailers, one targeted to 750 Heat Pump Water Heater program
participants, two targeted citywide to single family homeowners reaching
approximately 15,200 households
• Lawn sign program launched in the second quarter of 2025
EVENTS & ENGAGEMENT EXAMPLES
• March: State of the City, 300 attendees in person, 441 YouTube views
• April: Earth Day Festival, 750 attendees
• May: Park to Park Ride, 50 attendees
• May: Bike to Work Day/Wherever Days
• May: National River Cleanup Day
• July: MSC Open House, 3,000 attendees
• August: Reach Code Information Sessions
• August: Extreme Heat Summit
• August: Go Electric at Home Webinar
• August: Commercial Heat Pump Water Heater Webinar
• September: Coastal Clean Up
• September: City Hall Open House
• September: Bike/Ped Rail Crossings Workshop
• October: Bike Palo Alto
• October: Heat Pump Happy Hour, 50 attendees
• October: Storm Preparedness Workshop
• November: Green@Home Electric Home Tours
• December: Horizontal Levee Pilot Project Media and Community Tour
• December: Climate Action & Sustainability Workshop - Home Electrification
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Attachment A- 2025 Sustainability and Climate
Action Communications Analytics Dashboard
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2
Citywide Social Media Analytics
2025 Audience (Followers)
2,068,981 70,004 X 18,555
Facebook 13,814
3% Instagram 9,012
LinkedIn 9,672
Nextdoor 50,888
Sustainability & Climate Action
Social Media Analytics
Definitions
Impressions: Total number of times a post is displayed
Reach*: Unique users who see the content
Engagement: Like, share, comment, click
Engagement Rate: Number of engagements per impression
*Reach is not tracked by the platforms on LinkedIn, X, Nextdoor
Network Impression Reach* Video Views Engagement Rate
Facebook 177,680 106,875 3,382 1.50%
Instagram 231,803 123,891 25,953 1.08%
LinkedIn 52,277 5,119 3.55%
X 84,085 6,738 2.58%
Nextdoor 49,607 0.31%
Totals 545,845 230,766 41,192 2.08%
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Action Communications Analytics Dashboard
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Top Social Media Posts
ACEBOOK OST MPRESSIONS
LINKED N IGHEST NGAGEMENT ATE NSTAGRAM OST IDEO IEWS
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Action Communications Analytics Dashboard
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Website Analytics
Definitions
Views: Total number of times a page was viewed
Active Users: Total number of users visiting the page
Event Count: Number of actions taken on the page
Website Analytics
Switch Your Water Heater 7511 3953 19802
Rebate Hub 6741 2807 21133
Residential Electrification 6345 2819 15555
Electrification 4421 2635 9786
Electrify Your Drive 3975 2454 10890
Sustainability 2852 1376 7349
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) 2744 1666 7753
EV Chargers for Multi-Family Properties 2609 1495 6861
Consider Solar 1951 1071 5165
Youth Climate Advisory Board 1917 747 5188
EV FAQs 1866 1208 5084
Electric Panel Upgrade 1497 950 4311
Ways to Save 1434 845 3955
Business Customer Rebates 1353 822 3928
Heat Pump Water Heater FAQs 1184 684 2816
Business Electrification 1167 723 2673
Zero Waste 1090 695 2356
Commercial Heat Pump HVAC Program 1025 726 2706
Emissions Reduction Goals and Progress 1009 683 2446
Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2 976 475 2358
Grid Modernization for Electrification 913 560 2502
EV Chargers for Multi-Family Properties and
Non-Profits 880 423 2661
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Action Communications Analytics Dashboard
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Email Newsletters & Announcements
Sustainability & Climate Action Focused
• Quarterly sustainability e-newsletter with the potential to reach
3,300 subscribers, noting a high engagement rate/open rate of
over 50%. For reference, government industry average open rate is
between 20-25%.
• Last year’s top e-blast was related to the State TECH incentives,
encouraging heat pump water heater conversions.
Winter
eNews
Spring
eNews
HPWH
TECH
Summer
eNews
HPWH
eblast Fall eNews Refer a
Neighbor
Climate
Workshop
Clicks 92 104 81 89 134 149 24 36
Opens 1753 1745 4431 1704 1617 1695 493 1614
Sends 3392 3373 7487 3368 3412 3349 970 3346
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
Email Newsletters and Announcements
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Action Communications Analytics Dashboard
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Medium.com Blog Posts
• 15 topic specific posts
• 2,322 total views
Totals including “Weekly City Manager
Comments” and “In Case You Missed It”
when sustainability and climate action
information was shared:
• 40 posts
• 6,069 views
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Views Reads
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Attachment A- 2025 Sustainability and Climate
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