Title
Recommendation to Accept 2020 Annual Report on the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP). (City Manager 2110) [Not heard March 17, 2020]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Climate Action & Resiliency Plan (CARP) includes ambitious goals and dozens of strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), sequestering carbon, and building resilience to climate change impacts. The CARP was adopted by the City Council on September 3, 2019. A cornerstone of the CARP implementation plan is the Annual Report to the City Council.
This (first) Annual Report summarizes progress on the near-term actions identified in the CARP, reports on key metrics, and describes next steps for near-, medium-, and long-term actions. Staff is recommending that the City Council accept the 2020 Annual CARP Report.
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopted the 2019 Climate Action & Resiliency Plan (CARP) for Alameda on September 3, 2019. Implementation of the plan includes annual updates to City Council through an Annual Report. This staff report summarizes the 2020 Annual Report and refers to the Report itself, attached as Exhibit 1.
The City of Alameda (City) has addressed local greenhouse gas emissions since 2008, when the Local Action Plan for Climate Protection was completed. A five-year update was completed in 2013, and the CARP was adopted in 2019, expanding the scope of Alameda’s climate action planning to include climate adaptation as well as GHG reduction. In 2019, the City Council also adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution, which influenced the CARP to establish an aim of achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible.
DISCUSSION
The 2020 Annual Report separates actions in the CARP into near-, medium-, and long-term categories and provides updates on progress for all near-term actions. The Annual Report then discusses partnerships with local and regional agencies and organizations, and presents a newly developed dashboard with summary metrics that indicate the City’s overall CARP-related progress and detailed sector-specific metrics. The status of staffing and finances is discussed, and next steps for plan implementation are presented.
During plan development, the CARP was reviewed in draft form by the Transportation Commission, Planning Board, Recreation and Parks Commission, and Public Utilities Board. The draft CARP was also reviewed by a Task Force composed of representatives of Boards and Commissions, local community-based organizations, local business organizations, and by an interdepartmental staff team called “the Green Team.” Due to the short timeline between the CARP’s adoption in September 2019 and this Annual Report in May 2020, there was only time to present the draft 2020 Annual Report to the Task Force, Green Team, and Transportation Commission. Future iterations of the Annual Report will be presented to other appropriate Boards and Commissions.
The full Annual Report, including an Executive Summary, is attached as Exhibit 1.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the 2020 Annual Report.
• Direct staff to amend the 2020 Annual Report and re-submit.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from accepting the 2020 CARP Annual Report.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Annual review and reporting is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act. No further environmental review is required pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 and Public Resources Code section 21065.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Implementing the actions outlined in the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan is expected to reduce municipal and community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and better prepare the community for climate-related impacts.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the 2020 Annual Report on the Climate Action & Resiliency Plan (CARP).
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends accepting the 2020 Annual Report on the Climate Action & Resiliency Plan (CARP)
Respectfully submitted,
Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager
By,
Patrick Pelegri-O’Day, Climate Action Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Annual Report
2. Annual Report Appendix
3. Fact Sheet
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager