CAP Sub-committee Sets Preliminary CO2 Reduction Target: 15% Reduction from 2005 Levels by 2020

At the 8/19/2008 meeting of the CAP Sub-committee, the group set a preliminary goal for reduction of the City’s CO2 emission equivalents: 15% reduction below 2005 levels by 2020. Consultants consider this target to be feasible and within the median range of what other local communities have set for their emission reduction programs.

If you would like to comment on this emission reduction target or participate in choosing the greenhouse gas emission reduction programs and policies for inclusion in the climate action plan, we encourage you to participate in the CAP Community Forum, September 25 at 7 pm, San Carlos Library rooms A&B. Written comments can be submitted to Deborah Nelson, City Planning Director, at dnelson@cityofsancarlos.org.

Agenda & Background Materials for 8/19 CAP Meeting

The Climate Action Plan subcommittee of the General Plan Advisory Committee is meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19th from 11-1 at City Hall to set a greenhouse gas reduction goal and strategic policy focus. You are invited to attend the meeting and provide your input.

Here is the New Business section of the agenda, including links to background materials:

a) Review of the Agenda

b) Dissemination of background information

Alameda Climate Action Plan – found at the following link:
http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/gov/pdf/0802_cplap_draft.pdf

Climate Action Handbook: http://www.seattle.gov/climate/docs/ClimateActionHandbook.pdf <http://www.iclei.org/documents/Global/case_studies/beststrategies.pdf>

US Mayors for Climate Protection Best Practices: http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/documents/2007bestpractices-mcps.pdf

A study on the challenges of community based social marketing for climate change:
http://environment.yale.edu/climate/americans_and_climate_change.pdf


c) Overview of Baseline Report
August 11, 2008 Report to the City Council – found at the following links:
http://cscfc/sire/cache/116/pv22n0m31jr3e245mbwlycit/61697980808200810062131.pdf
http://cscfc/sire/cache/116/pv22n0m31jr3e245mbwlycit/616979908082008100718750.pdf
http://cscfc/sire/cache/116/pv22n0m31jr3e245mbwlycit/616980008082008100736281.pdf
http://cscfc/sire/cache/116/vrim5kjsrifcic31vmowen45/619293108112008114723625.pdf
http://cscfc/sire/cache/116/vrim5kjsrifcic31vmowen45/619293208112008114803218.xls
http://cscfc/sire/cache/116/vrim5kjsrifcic31vmowen45/619293308112008114835343.xls

d) Develop Climate Action Plan (CAP) Target Reduction Goal and Strategic Policy Focus

e) Review of Next Steps

City Council Meeting Video on Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Consultants presented the Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report to the City Council at its August 11th meeting. You can view the video this Link, with the presentation starting at time marker 15:06 and Council discussion starting at 29:30. The plan for the preparation of the Climate Action Plan was also discussed.

Some interesting aspects of the Inventory Report were noted:
- Methane emissions from the treatment plant where our sewage goes are not included;
- Methane emissions from the dump where our garbage goes are not included;
- The electricity generation sources assumed in these calculations are PG&E's California electricity sources, but do not include the CO2 generated by carbon-intensive out-of-state electricity purchased when California-generated electricity is insufficient in peak demand periods;
- Many of the numbers represented in the report are estimates.

San Carlos Community-Wide Baseline GHG Inventory

The City of San Carlos has just released its Community-Wide Baseline Greenhouse Gas Inventory, available on the City's web site. [11/24/2008 update: the City has moved the report again. Try this link: Report on the Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Invent - Timeline for San Carlos Climate Action Plan - Aug 5 2008.doc] This report, and accompanying summary information, will be presented to the City Council at its meeting on Monday, August 11, 2008.

Highlights of the Report:

"In the base year 2005, the community of San Carlos emitted approximately 229,193 metric tons of CO2e [CO2 equivalency] . . . [T]he transportation (50%) and residential (21%) sectors were the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from the commercial sector, waste, and industrial uses contributed 20%, 5%, and 4% respectively. . . . The burning of gasoline, electricity, and natural gas was responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions in San Carlos with 48%, 23%, and 22%. The remaining categories, with the exception of diesel, are landfill materials that emitted methane and carbon dioxide."

If you would like to be involved in setting the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and strategic plan, we invite you to attend the next meeting of the Climate Action Plan subcommittee of the City's General Plan Advisory Committee, on August 19th, 11 AM- 1 PM, in the City Hall West Gallery Conference Room.

Upcoming Dates for Climate Action Plan Meetings

At the Climate Action Plan subcommittee kick-off meeting on Aug. 4, upcoming meeting dates were discussed and set. If you are interested in assisting with the development of the San Carlos Climate Action Plan, or commenting on drafts as they become available, we encourage you to save these dates and join us:

August 11th – City Council Meeting – Presentation of GHG Baseline Report by Staff and Consultants. (Greenhouse Gas Baseline (GHG) data gathered by ICLEI under contract to the City and Joint Venture Silicon Valley and sponsored by BAAQMD). Agenda and reports.

August 19th – CAP Subcommittee Meeting (11 AM- 1 PM City Hall West Gallery Conference Room) – Develop Climate Action Plan Target Reduction Goal and Strategic Policy Focus.

September 16th – CAP Subcommittee Meeting (11 AM- 1 PM City Hall West Gallery Conference Room) – Discuss preliminary determinations in CAP.

September 25th – CAP Subcommittee / Community Meeting (7 PM – 8:30 PM Library Room A & B.) – Receive input from community and interest groups on the Climate Action Plan.

October 1st – PMC to submit draft CAP to City (City distributed to CAP Subcommittee for Review)

October 9th – CAP Subcommittee Meeting (11 AM- 1 PM City Hall West Gallery Conference Room) – Review Project Review Criteria for Subsequent Development, discuss CAP implementation program, and provide feedback on Draft CAP.

October 27th – CAP Subcommittee Meeting (11 AM- 1 PM City Hall West Gallery Conference Room)– Review Revised CAP.

October 30th – PMC to submit Revised CAP to the City

November 6th – GPAC Meeting (6:45 PM - 9:45 PM Library Room A & B) – Discuss Environmental Management Goals, policies and actions, and Climate Action Plan

Climate Action Plan Subcommittee Launches

The first meeting of the Climate Action Plan subcommittee of the General Plan Advisory Committee will be August 4th, 5-7 pm in City Hall, Admin. Conference room. Agenda items include introduction to the consultants hired to assist with preparation of the City’s Climate Action Plan, a proposed timeline for the subcommittee’s work, and discussion of background materials. The public is welcome to attend the meeting and participate in the public comment portion. If you would like to look over background materials, see background.