19-33 Climate Action Plan Resolution

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2016, unanimously passed the Cleaner Energy Resolution, and then, in 2018 signed on with Mayor Buttigieg to a"Repower Indiana" letter calling for 100% clean energy use by our utility supplier. In 2017, Mayor Pete Buttigieg signed the"We're Still In" letter,joining Climate Mayors world-wide affirming a commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate, despite the United States' formal withdrawal from the talks; and WHEREAS, this and previous Councils have also supported other energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in the municipal budget, including but not limited to energy and water-efficient facilities, alternative fuel vehicles, reducing waste and paper use, and robust community education and engagement endeavors. The City of South Bend actively influences sustainable behaviors in our community, encouraging biking and walking, supporting mass transit, yard waste and recycling opportunities, and advocating for clean and affordable energy; and WHEREAS, by way of executive authority in April of 2018, Mayor Pete Buttigieg committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and effectively joined South Bend to 9,296 cities representing 814 million people in a pledge to implement policies and to undertake measures to (i) reduce/limit greenhouse emissions, (ii)prepare for the impacts of climate change, (iii) increase access to sustainable energy, and (iv)track progress of these policies and measures in meeting or exceeding the Paris Agreement objectives; and WHEREAS, in keeping with our pledge, our City has already measured and reported both our community and government operation levels of greenhouse gases, we are next poised under this global framework on climate action to set a greenhouse gas reduction goal and create a climate action plan encompassing not only the City of South Bend's operations, but our community as a whole as defined by the geographic limits of our City; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the South Bend Common Council hereby supports the City Administration's current Q2/Q3 2019 initiative to develop a climate action plan that: specifies climate actions most impactful in South Bend, identifies ambitious but achievable greenhouse gas reduction goals customized to South Bend, includes both immediate internal actions and longer-term programs and policies, and outlines appropriate timelines for implementing the specific climate actions and achieving the greenhouse gas reductions; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the South Bend Common Council requests this plan be completed by the Fall of 2019, and the administration's planning process include appropriate stakeholder feedback, consider Council and administration priorities, including but not limited to opportunities for climate action to increase social equity, maximizing benefits and minimizing impacts on individuals and businesses; and consideration of any action through the lens of the "triple bottom line." This approach posits we can slow the pace of climate change in ways that save money, build a better quality of life for our residents, and drive economic growth. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, and to this end of triple net returns, the South Bend Common Council will look to support the administration's current and future internal policies, 'https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org