baja california state climate action planserver.cocef.org/final_reports_b2012/20121/20121_final...1...

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Baja California State Climate Action Plan

Phase 1 – Identification of priority options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions

August 2011

Introduction and Background

The Government of the State of Baja California, through the Commission for Ecology and

Sustainable Development (Comisión de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable, CEDES) and with

the participation of a broad sector of the community and federal government agencies, is

developing the State Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The purpose of the SCAP is to outline a

statewide strategy to mitigate (reduce) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to

climate change throughout the state and to implement measures to adapt to climate change

effects expected in Baja California.

The SCAP complements the strategies and measures identified by the Special Climate Change

Program (Programa Especial de Cambio Climático, PECC) at the federal level. It focuses

primarily on actions that Baja California can and should implement at the state level, in some

cases in coordination with federal agencies. The SCAP is being developed in coordination with

the National Institute of Ecology (Instituto Nacional de Ecología, INE) in order to comply with

requirements established by the agency for state plans.

The SCAP's development process can be summarized in four main steps:

GHG emissions inventory and projections

GHG emissions mitigation measures

Climate change adaptation measures

Development of the SCAP document

To date, the State of Baja California has completed the development of the GHG emissions

inventory and projections, and is in the process of evaluating and selecting GHG emissions

mitigation policies. This document is a report of the first phase of this last activity. The

evaluation of mitigation measures, which represents the second phase, has been proposed for the

second half of 2011, contingent upon the availability of the required funding.

The development of this phase of the SCAP received the support of the Border Environment

Cooperation Commission (BECC) through technical assistance provided under the Border 2012

Final Report Baja California SCAP: Phase 1 2011-08-31

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Program and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). BECC is a

binational organization created by the governments of the United States and Mexico to preserve,

protect, and improve the environmental and human health conditions of the U.S.-Mexico border

region. In regard to climate change, BECC has supported the development of SCAPs in Mexican

border states by establishing coordination and training activities and providing technical

assistance funding. In the particular case of Baja California, BECC provided technical assistance

for the development of the emissions inventory and projections, and for the first phase of the

evaluation and selection of mitigation measures presented in this report.

The achievements made to date with the emissions inventory and selection of priority mitigation

policies have advanced the goals of the Border 2012 Program, particularly the Objective 2,

which aims to reduce air pollution by selecting policy actions that result in GHG emissions

reductions.

Objectives

The process for evaluating and selecting emission mitigation measures can be summarized in

two phases:

Phase 1- Identification of priority policy options for mitigating greenhouse gases

Phase 2 – Design and quantification of costs, benefits, and macroeconomic impacts of

priority policy options, and final recommendations

The purpose of this document is to present the methodology used and the results of Phase 1 of

this process.

An important achievement in this phase, in addition to the prioritization of mitigation options,

was the establishment of an Advisory Group (AG) and five (5) Technical Work Groups that

established and validated the master catalog of mitigation options specific to Baja California.

Advisory Group and Technical Work Groups

The SCAP Advisory Group (AG) was summoned by the State Governor through the Secretariat

for Environmental Protection (Secretaría de Protección al Ambiente) and was supplemented

with additional members in order to broaden the participation of other sectors of the community.

As shown in Table 1, the AG contributes a wide range of perspectives and interests to the

process, including those of federal, state, and local government agencies, the private sector,

academia, and non-governmental organizations.

The AG was responsible for identifying and validating the set of policy options to be considered

for inclusion in the SCAP.


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Table 1. Members of the Advisory Group

Additionally, five Technical Work Groups (TWG) were established, composed of a diverse

range of representatives of the community, including the government, academic, private, and

social sectors. Exhibit I presents a list of the members of each TWG. The function of the TWGs

was to review an initial catalog of policy options, add other options to the catalog, and issue

recommendations to the AG; however, the TWGs do not have decision-making authority. The

five TWGs created were:

Energy Supply (generation) – power and heat generation, with a primary focus, in the case of

Baja California, on the generation and distribution of electricity and hydrocarbon transportation.

Residential, Commercial, and Industrial (energy use) – energy efficiency in the residential,

commercial, and industrial sectors, including government offices; and the release of GHGs from

non-fuel industrial processes.

Transportation and Urban Development – vehicle efficiency, alternative fuels, mass transit, and

fuel demand reduction programs, including planning and urban development strategies.

NAME INSTITUTION

Tereza Cavazos Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

JesúsZatarain Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Luis Vargas Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Ensenada

Fernando Zarzosa Comisión Estatal del Agua de Baja California

Arturo Jiménez Trejo Gobierno de Baja California

José Zavala Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Rubén Lara Lara Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Jaime Reyes Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Sarah Martínez Pellegrini Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Alma Arreola Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Modesto Ortiz Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Alejandro Lambert Arista Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Tezozomoc Guillen Comisión Estatal de Energía

Gabriela Muñoz Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Carlos Alvarado Secretaría de Protección al Ambiente

Gabriel Márquez Servicios Tecnológicos de Ahorro en Energía (SAYAB)

Saúl Guzmán García Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

Ramona Romero Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Néstor Santillán Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

María de los Ángeles Santos Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Ruth Rosa Gómez Haciendo Lo Necesario A.C.

Rafael García Cueto Universidad Autónoma de Baja California


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Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, and Waste– soil protection, energy conservation and energy

efficiency in agriculture and livestock farming, reforestation, sustainable forestry, bioenergy,

sustainable wood products, waste reduction and recycling.

Cross-Cutting Policy Issues – emissions reporting and registries, public education, state goals,

state government "leading by example," social and gender equity in climate change policies.

The first four TWGs represent sectors of the economy, while the Cross-Cutting Issues TWG,

as its name implies, covers issues that are relevant to all sectors.

Additionally, each TWG received the assistance of a facilitator from the Center for Climate

Strategies (CCS). The figure below shows the relationship between the AG and the TWGs.

Methodology

Process for identification, prioritization, and selection of options

The process for evaluating and selecting priority options was led by SPA, and included the active

participation of 35 representatives from all sectors of the community who sat on the Advisory

Group (22 representatives) and the Technical Work Groups (13 representatives, in addition to the

AG). CCS provided technical support and facilitated the process.

The process consists of a total of 10 steps. The first 4 steps are reflected in Phase 1 herein, while

the six remaining steps will be implemented in Phase 2. Below is a summary of these steps.

Advisory Group (AG)

TWG

Energy Supply

TWG Residential,

Commercial, and Industrial

TWG Transportation and Urban Development

TWG Agriculture,

Livestock, Forestry & Waste

TWG Cross-Cutting

Issues

AG Member

CCS Facilitator

Local Facilitator

Technical Experts


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Step 1:Organization and Establishment of the Advisory Group and Technical Work Groups

As described in the previous section, the Advisory Group was comprised of 22 members who

represent the diversity of sectors in the state. The AG is responsible for guiding the process for

the selection of alternatives and issuing a series of final recommendations to the State Governor

to be incorporated to the SCAP. This first step also included the review of a base catalog of

mitigation options to be considered during the process. The base catalog was provided by CCS

and represents a compilation of about 340 policy options that have resulted from the

implementation of this process in many state plans throughout the United States. Each of these

policies included a description and a preliminary qualitative estimation of their mitigation

potential and cost.

Step 2: Review of the GHG Emissions Inventory and Projections

The GHG emissions inventory and projections were developed in 2009 by SPA and CCS, as well

as multiple federal government agencies. This step of the process allowed the AG and the TWG

to become familiar with the inventory and provided them a tool for prioritizing mitigation

measures.

Step 3: Expansion of the Policy Options Base Catalog

As stated above, the base catalog is a compendium of about 340 policy options; it provides a

preliminary qualitative estimation of each of the options' mitigation potential and cost per ton.

The base catalog was reviewed by the TWGs with the purpose of discussing the feasibility and

relevance of these options for Baja California; identifying additional potential options that should

be included in the catalog, based on the group's knowledge of the particular features of Baja

California; and making comments and annotations about the mitigation potential, cost per ton,

externalities, feasibility considerations, and related actions throughout the state. These actions

resulted in a revised catalog for Baja California, from which options for the state were

prioritized.

Table 2 presents the number of options included for each sector in the original catalog. The base

catalog may be downloaded from the project's website

(http://www.bccambioclimatico.mx/spn/GTACC.cfm).

Table 2. Policy Options included in the catalog for each sector

Sector Number of catalog options

Energy Supply (generation) 49

Residential, Commercial, and Industrial (energy use) 72

Transportation and Urban Development 112

Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, and Waste 67

Cross-Cutting Policy Issues 37

TOTAL 337

Step 4:Priority Options for Future Review

Once the catalog of options was reviewed and expanded, the group proceeded to prioritize the

options with the best prospect of success in the state. SPA commissioned CCS to combine the

input from various SCAP stakeholders to date and produce a refined catalog of mitigation policy

http://www.bccambioclimatico.mx/spn/GTACC.cfm


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options. The exercise resulted in a reduction of the number of policy options from 337 to 246.

SPA assigned the task of selecting priority options in this refined catalog to a committee of

academic experts in the field, who identified 33 priority options based on their potential to

mitigate GHG emissions, implementation feasibility, cost-benefit ratio, and related actions

throughout the state.

The next six steps in the mitigation measures process will be carried out during Phase 2, and will

consist of:

Step 5: Preliminary design of options – including goals, implementation time, stakeholders

involved in the implementation, and establishing quantification parameters

Step 6: First quantification round – quantification of potential GHG emissions, costs, and

savings generated by priority options. Additionally, externalities (co-benefits or indirect costs)

are included

Step 7: Options matrix – design of policies and potential methods for their implementation;

definition of related policies; identification of obstacles for AG consensus and for

implementation

Step 8: Identifying solutions to overcome obstacles– Clarifications, additions, or modifications

to the policy designs

Step 9: Comprehensive policy review and comparison with goals – Integrating all the options,

avoiding overlapping and duplicity, and assessing impacts globally

Step 10: Preparing Final Report


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Priority Policy Options

This section presents priority policy options selected for the state of Baja California by economic

sector, along with a brief description of each proposed policy.

The committee of academic experts appointed by SPA, following a new review of the refined

catalog of policy options, decided to combine the energy demand and generation under the

Energy heading. Additionally, the forest component was removed from the Agriculture,

Livestock, Forestry, and Waste, inasmuch as forest management represents only a very small

opportunity for GHG mitigation in the state.

Energy

Priority options for the energy sector revolve around two strategies. The first strategy (Options 1

to 3) consists of diversifying the energy market in BC by incorporating the use of renewable

energies to replace conventional fuels. This incorporation should be done gradually, starting by

upgrading government buildings and schools, to finish with renewable energy clusters such as

solar panels in community-owned neighborhood rooftops, and arranging for transmission lines to

sell excess power to the grid. The second strategy is the conservation and efficient use of energy

(Options 4 to 8). These options are presented in Table 3 below and will be considered in the

design of policies during Phase 2.

Table3. Priority Energy Sector Policies

GHG Reduction Policy Option Reference to the Base

Catalog

1. Establish incentives to renewable energy generation for delivery to the power grid and removal or barriers to these processes

(ES 2.2)

2. Improve demand-side energy efficiency (ES 2.8)

3. Promote the production of liquid biofuels in the state (AFW 1.2)

4. Municipal energy management (RCI 9.3)

5. Focus energy efficiency efforts on identified market sectors (RCI 9.5)

6. Create energy efficiency reinvestment funds (RCI 9.6)

7. Use of manure digesters and other waste-based energy generation mechanisms (AFW 1.7)

8. Promote the use of municipal and yard waste as feedstock for heat, electricity, or steam energy production

(AFW 9.2)

Following is a description of priority options with reference to the base catalog.

ES 2.2 - Establish incentives to renewable energy generation for delivery to the power grid and

removal or barriers to these processes

This priority option reflects financial incentives to encourage investments in renewable energy

resources such as wind and solar energy. Examples include: (1) direct subsidies for the purchase

and sale of renewable energy technologies; (2) tax credits or exemptions for the purchase of

renewable technologies; (3) feed-in tariffs that provide direct payments to renewable energy

generators for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated by a qualified facility; (4) tax

credits for each kWh generated by a qualified facility; (5) regulations that result in incentives


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and/or the assurance of cost recovery for utilities that invest in renewable energy systems at their

central stations. In addition, this policy would make it a priority for the relevant state agencies to

identify and remove barriers to the development of renewable resources in the state.

Considerations for this option may include net metering, interconnection standards, and

production-based incentives (e.g., statewide program or rebate—such as in the form of dollars

per kWh—designed to encourage the use of renewable energy by offering production payments

for grid-tied electricity generated by wind, solar, and biomass resources).

ES 2.8 –Improve demand-side energy efficiency

Incentivize energy efficiency and smartmetering in the consumer sector, to allow consumers to

interact and manage energy use. See the Residential, Commercial, and Industrial (RCI) section.

AGR 1.2 - Promote the production of liquid biofuels in the state

Increase production of ethanol, biodiesel, or other liquid/gaseous biofuels from agriculture and

forestry feedstocks to displace the use of fossil fuel. For example, promoting the development of

cellulosic ethanol feedstocks and production systems that use renewable fuels.

RCI 9.3 –Municipal energy management.

Under this type of policy, the state could initiate and provide funding for municipal energy

management systems, as well as audits of energy performance and operations of local

government buildings. Audit results could be used to target and prioritize investments in

improving government building energy efficiency.

AGR 1.7 - Use of manure digesters and other waste-based energy generation mechanisms

Reduce the amount of methane emissions from livestock manure by installing manure

digesterson livestock operations. Energy from the manure digesters is used to create heat or

power, whichoffsets fossil fuel–based energy production and the associated greenhouse gas

(GHG) emissions. New technologies may also be considered, such as plasma arc

technology.Integrate methane digesters into agricultural operations to generate energy from

waste on anindividual or community basis.

RCI 9.5 – Focus energy efficiency efforts on identified market sectors

Energy efficiency programs, funds, or goals can focus on specific market segments, such

asexisting homes (weatherization), new construction, apartments, low-income residential, and

small and medium businesses. Targeting specific market segments can also be an

effectivecomponent of a regional market transformation alliance.

RCI 9.6 - Create energy efficiency reinvestment funds

This policy option involves the set-up of a fund from which grants are made available

toorganizations implementing energy-saving projects through internal loans from the fund.

Theproject loan is repaid at a percentage of annual energy savings, and once it is repaid

theorganization continues to benefit from ongoing energy savings. As repayments are recycled

backinto the fund, they are available for reinvestment, thereby creating a self-sustaining pot of

funds for further energy efficiency projects.


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AGR 9.2 – Promote the use of municipal and yard waste as feedstock for heat, electricity, or

steam energy production

Increase the amount of biomass available for generating electricity and displacing the use of

fossil energy sources. Local electricity or steam production yields greatest net energy payoff.

Transportation and Urban Development

Priority options for the transportation and urban development sector are grouped into three sub-

sections:

Implementation of urban development programs in the state's existing population centers

(Options 1-5)

Assistance to municipalities to enforce construction codes (Options 6-8)

Tax incentives for the development and construction of energy and water-saving

bioclimatic housing that treats wastewater and minimizes the use of air conditioning

and/or heating (Option 9)

Priority options for the transportation and urban development sector that should be considered in

the design of policies during Phase 2 are presented in Table 4.

Table4: Priority Transportation and Urban Development Policies

GHG Reduction Policy Option Reference to the Base

Catalog

1. Black carbon control technologies (TDU 1.3)

2. Lower and enforce speed limits (TDU 1.6)

3. Transit-oriented development (TDU 4.2)

4. Smart growth planning, modeling, and tools (TDU 4.3)

5. Transportation system management (TDU 5.1)

6. Improved construction codes for housing energy efficiency (RCI 2.1)

7. Improved design and construction quality in government buildings as an example of new regulations

(RCI 2.3)

8. Upgrades to local and state government buildings for energy efficiency (RCI 2.11)

9. Promotion and incentives for improved building design and construction (RCI 2.6)

Following is a description of priority options with references to the base catalog.

TDU 1.3 –Black carbon control technologies

Diesel particulate matter includes black carbon aerosols, which are thought to contribute to

global warming through positive radiative forcing. Diesel particulate emissions can be reduced

through the use of several types of exhaust retrofit devices and particulate traps.

TDU 1.6 –Lower and enforce speed limits

Reduced vehicle speeds can improve fuel economy, reduce GHG emissions, and improve

safety.One potential implementation method for this enforcement includes speed-detection

cameras,both for intercity highways and urban roads, which have been shown to be an effective

and cost-effectivemeans of achieving compliance with posted speed limits. Enforcement


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measures couldbe combined with measures to lower the speed limit on interstates, freeways, and

major arterialroads. Significant enforcement resources may be needed for this measure to

achieve the expectedreductions.

TDU 4.2 –Transit-oriented development

Provide economic incentives, liberalized zoning and land use restrictionsto encourage mixed use

development of properties in proximity to transitfacilities. Transit-oriented development is the

creation of compact, mixed-usecommercial or residential communities, designed to maximize

access to public transit and createa community attractive to pedestrians and bicyclists. Transit-

oriented development is thus a tool that can be used toreduce automobile travel and the

associated GHG emissions by increasing travel options andtransit ridership.

TDU 4.3 –Smart growth planning, modeling, and tools

Provide state funding, information dissemination, and technical assistance to facilitate the

adoption of smart growth planning processes, models and tools by local and state governments.

Smart growth planning, modeling, and tools are development methods that reduce sprawl and

maximize environmental, fiscal, and economic resources. This way of planning and modeling

often incorporates other planning tools such as mixed-use, open space protection and transit-

oriented development.

TDU 5.1 –Transportation system management Improve the existing transportation system management by analyzing current conditions,

improving traffic flow, synchronizing traffic lights, installing roundabouts, building high

occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, designing intelligent systems, addressing interconnectivity of

transportation options, etc. Improve overall system functionality through broad planning

initiative.

RCI 2.1 – Improved construction codes for housing energy efficiency

Building energy codes specify minimum energy efficiency requirements for new buildings or

forexisting buildings undergoing a major renovation. Given the long lifetime of most

buildings,amending state and/or local building codes to include minimum energy efficiency

requirementsand periodically updating energy efficiency codes could provide long-term GHG

savings. The implementation of building energy codes, particularly when much of the building

occurs outsideof urban centers, can require additional resources. Potential elements of a policy

that includesbuilding codes are:

Require high-efficiency appliances in new construction and retrofits.

Train building code officials in energy code enforcement.

Potential measures supporting this option can include consumer education, improvedenforcement

of building codes, training for builders and contractors, and development of aclearinghouse for

information on and to provide access to software tools to calculate the impactof energy

efficiency and solar technologies on building energy performance. Building codes could also

follow the recommendations of the National Commission for Efficient Energy Use (Comisión

Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía, CONUEE) and energy efficiency standards, which

is a strategic approach for improving energy performance in the building design process.


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RCI 2.3 –Improved design and construction quality in government buildings as an example of

new regulations

Recognizing that governments should “lead by example,” this option provides targets to improve

energy efficiency in existing state and local government buildings, as well as for new

construction and major renovations of government buildings.

Potential elements of this policy include:

Requiring that energy efficiency be a criterion in procurement of energy-using equipment

and systems, and in the improvement in operation of buildings and other facilities.

Requiring audits of energy performance and operations of state and other

governmentbuildings (in tandem with an audit program). Audit results could be used to target

andprioritize investments in improving government building energy efficiency.

Improvementand review of efficiency goals over time, and development of flexibility in

contractingarrangements to encourage integrated energy-efficient design and construction.

Recommending that the infrastructure for implementation (meters, bookkeeping systems,

staff, etc.) be established as soon as possible.

Requiring state bulk purchase of appliances and equipment with higher-than-standard energy

efficiency for public facilities.

Establishing “retained savings” policies, whereby government agencies can retain funds

saved by reducing energy bills and apply them to further energy efficiency/renewable energy

investments.

Potential supporting measures for this option include training and certification of building-sector

professionals, shared savings with contractors based on performance, energy and water use

audits in government buildings, energy use benchmarking, measurement, and tracking programs

for municipal and state buildings.

RCI 2.11 –Upgrades to local and state government buildings for energy efficiency

Develop standards and/or directives for all government buildings to achieve energy efficiency

standards.

RCI 2.6 - Promotion and incentives for improved building design and construction

This policy provides incentives and targets for owners and developers of new and existing

buildings to improve the efficiency of the use of energy and other resources in those buildings,

along with provisions for raising targets periodically and providing resources to building industry

professionals to help achieve the desired building performance. This policy can include elements

to encourage the improvement and review of integrated energy use goals and resource-efficient

design and construction.

Additional potential elements of this option include:

Focusing on new, renewed, and/or existing buildings (under renovation).

Set a cap on the use of energy per unit area of floor space for new buildings.

Promote development projects that include energy monitoring and benchmarking.


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Provide incentives in the form of tax credits, financing incentives (such as "green

mortgages") or other incentives for retrofitting existing residential and commercial buildings.

Promote the use of alternative and local building materials and practices.

Potential supporting measures for this option include training and certification of building

professionals, consumer and primary/secondary education, performance contracting/shared

savings arrangements, and setting up an information clearinghouse, and access to software tools

to calculate the impacts of energy efficiency and solar technologies for buildings.

Agriculture, Livestock, and Waste

Priority options for the transportation and urban development sector are grouped into eight sub-

sections:

Promote the conversion of crops and technologies based on water availability (Options 1-

4)

Determine and update rangeland coefficients (Option 5)

Reintroduce massive planting of native species on rangelands and pasturelands (Options

6-7)

Restore and improve vegetation cover and soils (Option 8)

Create and implement sustainable soil and agricultural land management technology

(Option 9)

Determine viable productive reconversion, zoning (Options 10-13)

Generate and update information on basic crops, their resilience and recovery capacities,

and agroecological requirements (Option 14)

Create technologies for the sustainable management and use of animal waste and

agricultural residues (Options 15-16)

Priority options for the agriculture, livestock, and waste sector that should be considered in the

design of policies during Phase 2 are presented in Table 5.

Table5: Priority Agriculture and Livestock Policies

GHG Reduction Policy Option Reference to the Base Catalog

1. Establish soil carbon management methods (AGR 3.1)

2. Establish nutrient and water management methods (AGR 3.2)

3. Review irrigation systems (AGR 3.6)

4. Promote organic crops (AGR 5.2)

5. Restore degraded rangelands (AGR 6.3)

6. Changes in livestock feed (AGR 2.2)

7. Improved rangeland management (AGR 6.1)

8. Recover and improve vegetation cover and soils (AGR 4.1)

9. Increased crop production and energy efficiency (AGR 5.1)

10. Introduce technological improvements for increased efficiency (AGR 3.3)

11. Marginal soil management policy (SeeAGR 4.1)


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GHG Reduction Policy Option Reference to the Base Catalog

12. Grassland to cropland conversion policies (AGR 4.2)

13. Preserve open spaces and agricultural soils (AGR 4.4)

14. Biotechnology applications for GHG mitigation (AGR 3.4)

15. Increased use of biomass feedstock for heat and steam production (AGR 1.1)

16. Use of manure digesters and other waste-based energy generation mechanisms (AGR 1.7)

Following is a description of priority options with references to the base catalog.

AGR – 3.1 Establish soil carbon management methods

On managed land, the amount of carbon stored in the soil can be increased by the adoption

ofpractices such as conservational residue management and tillage (e.g., mulch tillage,

reducedtillage,no-till cultivation, etc.), crop diversity and crop rotation. Reducing summer fallow

andincreasing winter cover crops are complementary practices that reduce the need for

conventionaltillage. By reducing mechanical soil disturbance, these practices reduce the

oxidation of soilcarbon compounds and allow more stable aggregates to form. Other benefits

include reducedwind and water erosion, reduced fossil fuel consumption for management

purposes, andimproved wildlife habitat. Improved agricultural practices can often increase soil

carbon sequestration; however, nativevegetation and natural ecosystems are generally most

effective at storing and sequesteringcarbon.

Encourage soil productivity and carbon sequestration through the use of biochar, particularly

onagricultural land. The application of biochar increase soil carbon content, stabilizes soil

carbon,provides microbial habitat, and attracts and holds moisture and nutrients, making both

more bioavailableto plants.

Provide incentives for farmers to use production processes that achieve net sequestration

benefits.

AGR 3.2 - Establish nutrient and water management methods

Improve the efficiency of fertilizer use and other nitrogen-based soil amendments through

implementation of management practices and Generally Accepted Agriculture Management

Practices (GAAMP). Excess nitrogen not metabolized by plants can leach into groundwater

and/or be emitted to the atmosphere as N2O. Better nutrient utilization can lead to lower nitrous

oxide emissions from runoff. Maintaining higher nutrient levels in the soil (decreased leaching

and run-off) increases plant growth.

Improve the efficiency of water use through implementation of best management practices and

GAAMP (Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices). Excess water can lead to

run-off of nitrogen with subsequent emission to the atmosphere as N2O. By managing and

improving water consumption and nutrients spread on crops, there will be a minimal loss of

carbon from the soil. Reduced water consumption can result in lower energy use for water

pumping.

AGR 3.6 - Review irrigation systems


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Drought and uneven distribution of annual precipitation continue to threaten rain-fed agriculture,

especially in arid and semiarid regions. It has been proven that irrigation can significantly

increase crop yields and consequently enhance soil organic carbon accumulation due to reduced

soil erosion and increased biomass production. Energy efficient irrigation systems and

appropriate water conservation need to be partnered with this recommendation because of their

effects on greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation respectively.

AGR 5.2 –Promote organic crops

Promote organic farming for its lower intensity practices and non-use of pesticides and fertilizer

which can off-gas greenhouse gasses. The emphasis on adding carbon-rich compost to soils and

less tillage result in higher soil carbon.

AGR 6.3 - Restore degraded rangelands

Historically, overgrazing and drought have interacted to degrade arid (< 250 mm annual

precipitation) rangelands. Ecological and economic inertia have constrained the ability of these

ecosystems to recover naturally and substantial carbon losses are occurring as exposed soils are

further disturbed by wind and water erosion. Currently, there are few, if any, viable technologies

for the economically viable restoration of these lands. New technologies and methodologies

could reduce the losses and increase carbon sequestration potential. Additionally, many areas of

rangeland are threatened by invasive species, both native and exotic, and are in need of

restoration-type management practices to reverse undesirable trends. Many of these practices

require substantial economic input and the exclusion or limited use of livestock grazing post-

treatment.

AGR 2.2 –Changes in livestock feed

Livestock emit methane directly as a result of digestive processes (enteric fermentation).

Research suggests that changes in the energy content of feed and other dietary changes can

reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation. By optimizing nitrogen (protein) utilization

in the feed, nitrogen levels in the manure can be reduced, which in turn reduce the potential for

nitrous oxide emissions.

AGR 6.1 - Improved rangeland management

The greatest source of anthropogenic losses of soil carbon on rangelands is poor grazing

management. Excessive harvest of plant biomass by livestock and wildlife can lead to

diminished productivity. Chronic overgrazing can lead to loss of cover and accelerated erosion,

increasing carbon losses and decreasing potential for future storage. The most important aspect

of grazing management is proper stocking rate –defined as the amount of forage available

divided by the monthly animal demand– followed by proper distribution in space and time.

Controlling harvest/consumption insures that the optimum amount of photosynthetically active

plant tissue is available to fix atmospheric carbon. Management systems using light tomoderate

stocking rates with sufficient flexibility to respond to year to year variability andachieve desired

spatial distribution of grazing pressure are proven to be sustainable. The use of wildlife from the

same rangelands must be included into rangeland management systems.

Allowing livestock and wildlife to disperse over larger areas and/or keeping them from

concentrating in prime vegetation zones such as lowlands and riparian areas is key to ensuring


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healthy range conditions and thriving plant populations. Appropriate herding, location of

watering sources, distribution of salt and mineral supplements, seasonal timing of grazing and

assessment of range readiness may help increase carbon sequestration in plants and soils and

improve overall range health.

AGR 4.1 - Marginal soil management policy

There are several ways to enhance carbon sequestration in marginal lands: (1) reclaim these

lands with native vegetation appropriate to the habitat type; (2) convert marginal agricultural

land used for annual crops to permanent cover—such as grassland/rangeland or forest; (3)

continue to implement the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and/or (4) encourage the

development of biomass-oriented production system such as planting with switchgrass,

miscanthus, mixed grass species, etc.

.

AGR 5.1 – Increased crop production and energy efficiency

Renewable energy can be produced and used on-site at agriculture operations. For example,

installing solar or wind power; using hydro-powered generators for irrigation; converting diesel

farm equipment to liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), or hybrid

technology; increasing on-farm use of biofuels and other renewables; expanding farm energy

audit programs; and updating machinery, equipment, and engines will reduce carbon dioxide

emissions by displacing the use of fossil-based fuels.

AGR 3.3 – Introduce technological improvements for increased efficiency

New technologies and cultivation methods have the potential to reduce GHG emissions when

fossil fuel or electricity consumption can be reduced. Auto-steer guidance systems are an

example as is auto swath technology, which uses global positioning system (GPS) to

automatically turn the spray boom sections on or off when coming to an area of the field that has

been sprayed or needs to be sprayed. Auto swath technology can be used for planting, fertilizing,

and other operations. On odd-shaped fields, it can result in a 3%–5% savings. See http://www.

agleader.com/products.php?Product=directcommand_l

Variable rate fertilizing and liming are also becoming more popular among farmers. The farmer

has a local co-op grid-sample the field, and then variable rate applies the fertilizer or lime in the

areas of the field that need it. The areas of the field that do not need fertilizer or lime have none

applied, which can result in a 50%–60% reduction in the amount of lime or fertilizer needed. See

http://www.agleader.com/products.php?Product=directcommand_g

GreenSeeker normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) technology. A farmer applies

50%–70% of his nitrogen at planting and then, in season, uses GreenSeeker to apply what the

corn or wheat plant needs when it is growing—a more efficient way of applying nitrogen that

will result in less nitrogen being over-applied. NDVI GreenSeeker is a new technology that is

still in its early testing stages, but it looks promising. Seehttp://www.ntechindustries.com/

greenseeker-RT200.html

AGR 4.2 - Grassland to cropland conversion policies

http://www.agleader.com/products.php?Product=directcommand_l

http://www.agleader.com/products.php?Product=directcommand_l

http://www.agleader.com/products.php?Product=directcommand_g

http://www.ntechindustries.com/‌greenseeker-RT200.html

http://www.ntechindustries.com/‌greenseeker-RT200.html


16

Increased demand for corn-based ethanol and biofuel feedstocks can act as an incentive for

converting grassland to cropland. Adopt mechanisms to prevent the conversion of native

grasslands and highly operative ecosystems. Once croplands have been converted for biomass

production, protect these acres from returning either to annual crop production or suburban/urban

development.

AGR 4.4 - Preserve open spaces and agricultural soils

Reduce the rate at which agricultural lands are converted to developed uses, while protecting

private property rights and responsibilities. This retains the above- and belowground carbon on

these lands, as well as their carbon sequestration potential. Transportation emissions will be

reduced indirectly through more efficient development and lower vehicle use. Agricultural land

conversion may be prevented through conservation land grants and conservation easements

facilitated through nonprofit land preservation organizations.

AGR 3.4 –Biotechnology applications for GHG mitigation

Improved research in and utilization of drought-resistant, flood-resistant, pest-resistant crop

varieties. Biotechnology could lead to the introduction of plants with a greater uptake of carbon

throughout their lifecycle.

AGR 1.1 –Increased use of biomass feedstock for heat and steam production

Increase the amount of biomass available from forests for generating electricity and displacing

the use of fossil energy sources. Growing more biomass on a shorter rotation and/or more

perennial crops can increase carbon uptake in plants. If biochar is a by-product and incorporated

into the upper horizon of soils, carbon sequestration is increased.

AGR 1.7 - Use of manure digesters and other waste-based energy generation mechanisms

Reduce the amount of methane emissions from livestock manure by installing manure digesters

on livestock operations. Energy from the manure digesters is used to create heat or power, which

offsets fossil fuel–based energy production and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

May consider new technologies as well, such as plasma arc technology. Integrate methane

digesters into agricultural operations to generate energy from waste on an individual or

community basis.


17

Recommendations and subsequent activities

To date, the State of Baja California has made considerable progress in the development of a

State Climate Action Plan (SCAP), including the development of a GHG inventory and

projections, the identification of 33 priority policies for enhanced conformance, and the creation

of an Advisory Group and five Technical Work Groups responsible for monitoring the

development of the SCAP and issuing recommendations to the State Governor on the steps to

take.

The next steps in the development of the SCAP will be to design and quantify emissions and

priority policies costs and savings; and to identify and quantify policy options for climate change

adaptation.

In addition to the benefits of the SCAP for the State of Baja California, it is important to

emphasize its relevance for the border region and the experiences that the process of preparing

this plan can offer to other Mexican states, primarily in regard to the active and transparent

participation of a large number of stakeholders from all sectors of the state's economy.

Acknowledgments

This component of the Baja California State Climate Action Plan (SCAP) was prepared under

the leadership of the Baja California Secretariat for Environmental Protection (Secretaría de

Protección al Ambiente de Baja California, SPA), with financial support from the Border

Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) through technical assistance funding provided

by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This task would not have been possible without the invaluable participation of the members of

the Advisory Group and the five Technical Work Groups created expressly for this initiative, as

well as the generosity of government agencies, academic entities, and the private and civil

sectors to which they belong. The list of all participants is included in Exhibit I.

The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) provided assistance for developing the methodology

and facilitating the process


18

EXHIBITS

Exhibit I – Members of the Technical Work Groups

Energy Supply

NAME INSTITUTION

Alejandro Lambert Arista Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Tezozomoc Guillen Comisión Estatal de Energía

Gabriela Muñoz Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Rogelio Vasquez Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Margarito Quintero Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

José León Cableados Industriales

Residential, Commercial, and Industrial

NAME INSTITUTION

Carlos Alvarado Secretaría de Protección al Ambiente

Gabriel Márquez Servicios Tecnológicos de Ahorro en Energía (SAYAB)

SaúlGuzmánGarcía Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

Ramona Romero Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Transportation and Urban Development

NAME INSTITUTION

NéstorSantillán Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

María de los Ángeles Santos Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Ruth Rosa Gómez Haciendo Lo Necesario A.C.

Luis Alberto Ocampo Consultoría Dinámica

Rafael García Cueto Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Walter Zúñiga Castillo Instituto Municipal de Investigación y Planeación Urbana de Mexicali


19

Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, and Waste

NAME INSTITUTION

Teresa Cavazos Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Jesús Zatarain Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Luis Vargas Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Ensenada

Fernando Zarzosa Comisión Estatal del Agua de Baja California

Arturo Jiménez Trejo Gobierno de Baja California

José Zavala Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Juan Carlos Díaz Secretaría de Protección al Ambiente

Leonel Avendaño Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Manuel Hernández Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Transformación

Cross-Cutting Issues

NAME INSTITUTION

Rubén Lara Lara Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

Jaime Reyes Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Sarah Martínez Pellegrini Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Alma Arreola Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Modesto Ortiz Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada

María Isabel Granillo The Nature Conservancy

Daniel Domínguez Comunidades Verdes A.C.

Magdalena Sánchez Universidad Iberoamericana

Patricia Radilla Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Cristina Villeda Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

baja california state climate action planserver.cocef.org/final_reports_b2012/20121/20121_final...1...

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