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Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority

September 9th, 2019

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Background and context Options Next steps

Climate Emergency Resolution

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Process and Goals for RCPA CER

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What can we achieve with a CER?

1. Solidify the urgency of the crisis 2. Highlight weaknesses of traditional climate action planning 3. Build the foundation for a regional approach

1. Commitment and buy in 1. Climate Emergency Liaison and staff resources 2. Establishment of 2030 CER Strategy as Council Priority 3. Integrate climate change considerations into all policies

2. Inclusive engagement 3. New regional strategy and actionable goals

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Weaknesses highlighted in Traditional Climate Action Planning

• The current scale and rate of expansion of local government action has not resulted in the necessary greenhouse gas emission reductions needed to avert catastrophic, irreversible climate impacts

• Many of the major climate change drivers—energy generation, fuel standards, consumption patterns, product design and specification and large scale infrastructure investments—are dispersed across both the private and public sector and are controlled at scales larger than local and regional governments

• We cannot only focus on reducing emissions but must also dramatically increase and enable meaningful carbon sequestration while preparing communities now for significant climate impacts

• We must reimagine the role of local government and work within and outside of our jurisdictional boundaries and across sectors to drive the systems change need to address major climate change drivers

• That our communities, members and partners are our greatest assets and allies and therefore this mobilization effort must be both robust and inclusive

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Current Goals and SF Example

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Carbon neutrality: the point at which the removal of carbon pollution from the atmosphere meets or exceeds emissions

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The effectiveness of our efforts to achieve these goals has been clear: in 2017, San Francisco achieved a 36% reduction in greenhouse gas

emissions below 1990 levels, greatly surpassing the target of 25% established by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

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Even assuming a steadfast commitment, the city is unlikely to reach net zero emissions without new innovations, partnerships and

collaborations as the findings of this report estimates there will be some emissions that cannot be eliminated by San Francisco alone.

This report therefore also advises that beyond reducing local emissions, San Francisco should take bolder action now to achieve

more rapid gains in the fight against climate change by sequestering carbon and encouraging the sustainable consumption

of goods and services.

If San Francisco maintains and deepens its commitment to supplying 100% renewable electricity; prioritizes low-carbon

forms of mobility such as transit, walking and biking; reduces our consumption of energy; and transitions away from fossil fuels, the city could realize a 68% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels

by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2050.

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Options and Next Steps

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Options

1) Pass resolution as is 2) Consider adding language to clarify intent

The RCPA/City/County re-commits to ensuring that our actions remain in alignment with the most current scientific findings regarding climate change;

OR

The RCPA/City/County will collaboratively develop and implement more ambitious but achievable goals consistent with or exceeding state goals and objectives, integrated into a new 2030 Climate Emergency Mobilization Strategy;

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Next steps

1) Provide support on CER for those who have not yet passed their resolutions

2) RCPA to bring annual work plan and financial scenarios to Board in October

3) RCPA to bring Fund and Development plan to Board in December to support priority scenario

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Strategic Framework

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“An alliance for combined action”

“A group formed of different organizations or people who agree to act together to achieve something”

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THANK YOU

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