state climate change policy: mitigating, preparing, adapting w. spencer reeder wa dept. of ecology...

State Climate Change Policy: Mitigating, Preparing, Adapting

W. Spencer ReederWA Dept. of EcologyMarch, 2009

“Our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our air,

land and water.”

- Governor Gregoire’s Executive Order: 2007 Climate Change Challenge

- Preparation & Adaptation Work Groups (2007)• Forestry, Agriculture, Human Health,

Coastal/Infrastructure, Water Resources and Quality

Washington’s Climate Change Challenge

Executive Order 07-02• Specific climate change goals

“…in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders to develop a climate change initiative,…”

“Determine specific steps… to prepare for the… impacts to public health, agriculture, the coast line, forestry, and infrastructure.”

“…policy options that can maximize the efficiency of emission reductions including market-based systems,… and incentives;”

“Work with… local governments…”

Specific WA Targets

By 2020 reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels

By 2035 reduce emissions to 25% below 1990 levels

By 2050 reduce emissions to 50% below 1990 levels

By 2020 increase the number of clean energy sector jobs to 25,000 from the 8,400 jobs in 2004

By 2020 reduce expenditures by 20% on fuel imported into the state

Statutory Emission Reductions

6

7

Residential, Commercial and Industrial Fuel Use 20%

Washington State 2005 GHG Emissions

Electricity Consumed 20%

Agriculture 6%Industrial processing 4%Waste 3%

Transportation 47%

W a s t e

2 %

A g r i c .

8 %

I n d .

P r o c e s s &

O t h e r

8 %

R C I F u e l

U s e

2 0 %

T r a n s p o r t

2 8 %

E l e c t r i c i t y

( c o n s -

b a s e d )

3 4 %

U S

Washington’s Emissions Profile

*2005 estimates

RCI = Residential, Commercial, Industrial

W a s t e

3 %

I n d .

P r o c e s s &

O t h e r

4 %

A g r i c .

6 %

E l e c t r i c i t y

( c o n s -

b a s e d )

2 0 %

R C I F u e l

U s e

2 0 %

T r a n s p o r t

4 7 %

W a s h i n g t o n

WA State Stakeholder Process

Technical Working Groups• Transportation • Forestry • Energy Supply • Residential, Commercial and

Industrial • Agriculture

Preparation/Adaptation Work Groups

• Water Resources and Quality • Coastal/Infrastructure • Forestry • Agriculture • Human Health

Climate Advisory/Action Team

Education and Engagement

Miti

gatio

n

Governor Gregoire

WA State Stakeholder Process

Technical Working Groups• Transportation • Forestry • Energy Supply • Residential, Commercial and

Industrial • Agriculture

Preparation/Adaptation Work Groups

• Water Resources and Quality • Coastal/Infrastructure • Forestry • Agriculture • Human Health

Climate Advisory/Action Team

Education and Engagement

Miti

gatio

n

Governor Gregoire

Beyond WasteEnergy Efficiency & Green BldgTransportationSEPA

Implementation Work Groups

2008

PAWG Report High Level Recommendations

- Early actions are needed while we improve scientific knowledge

- Monitoring and adaptive management is required

- Biological functions and processes are center of attention

- Regional collaboration will allow for a more efficient response

Adaptation Themes:

Adaptation Strategic Areas:

- Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response; Monitoring; Education/Outreach & Engagement; Institutional Flexibility

Coastal PAWG Recommendations

- Incorporate best available information

- Revise state land use & shoreline planning statutes

- Pursue state funding for pilot projects

- Utilize Flood Control Assistance Account Program

Coastal PAWG Recommendations

- Inform property purchases regarding risks

- Incorporate future projectionso Infrastructure, Habitat reclamation, Toxic Cleanup

- Improve mapping

- Develop Guidelines for local Gov’t

February 4th 2006 Storm Event examples of impacts…

Data / Research- Regional Climate Models / Projections- Flood Plain Maps (FEMA)- Land Elevations / Topography / Bathymetry- Monitoring / Vulnerability Assessments

Needs

Data / Research- Regional Climate Models / Projections- Flood Plain Maps (FEMA)- Land Elevations / Topography / Bathymetry- Monitoring / Vulnerability Assessments

Needs

Policy- Avoid Inconsistencies & Conflicts between:

• Planning/Permitting Mechanisms• Land Use Regulations• Enforcement Strategies

1) global/regional ice & freshwater inputs

2) global/regional temperature & salinity

3) regional atmospheric & ocean processes

4) local geodynamics (tectonic & isostatic)

Estimates

global sea level (IPCC AR4, Fig. 5.13)

global sea level (IPCC AR4, Fig. 5.13)

global sea level (IPCC AR4, Fig. 5.13)

Figure 10.33 from IPCC (2007)

Assessment Report

BC Storm Surge Model (operational)

Fraser River Delta• 126 kms of sea dikes

protecting 220,000 people at or below sea level in Richmond & Delta. – Sinking delta ~ 1-3

mm/yr• Long term sea level rise

increases risk of dike breach during extreme event

Needs

Needs

Needs

“Without a much improved comprehension of the many processes and their feedbacks, predictions of future sea level change will be characterized by large uncertainty.”

Regional Efforts Underway

BC-WA MOU on sea level rise

West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health

National Academy of Sciences West Coast SLR Study

Pacific Coast Collaborative

Western Climate Initiative

Part 2

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm