HomeMy WebLinkAboutClimate Change Overview (4-8-19)Climate Resolution
Therese Dorau
Director, Office of Sustainability
Apr. 08, 2019
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Climate Change Briefings to Council
Mtg. 1, Feb. 18
Climate Change Science
South Bend-specific Impacts
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Results
Mtg. 2, Feb. 27
Sustainability Office Actions
Partner Actions (MACOG/ND)
Future Climate Action
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Benefits of Climate Action
Full Report
Public Health and well-being
Quality of life, new local “green tech” employment opportunities
Energy and water efficient homes and buildings reduce utility bills and protect vulnerable households
Resilience to hazards
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Next Steps
The Sustainability Office is focusing first on Mitigation, with the next two steps being targets and CAP.
Adaptation planning is an essential but very different process that requires technical expertise and resources.
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Planning Scale
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South Bend Climate Action Plan
Community-scale strategies to reduce emissions
Q1-Q2 2019
Work with experienced consultant
Based on community GHG inventory
Local context + tested strategies = cost-effective planning process
Does not include adaptation
Deliverables
Mid-range and long-range GHG reduction targets
Three to five near-term strategies
Many communities have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their planning efforts. Others have included it in comprehensive plan updates. By evaluating national and regional best
practices from peer cities, and incorporating feedback from our local stakeholders and reviewing existing South Bend plans, we can have a cost-effective planning process.
Many communities created exhaustive laundry lists of all possible measures in all possible areas, which were then difficult to prioritize and build consensus around. By focusing on the
highest-priority near-term strategies, we can get moving more quickly.
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Envisioning Strategies
Although we won’t know WHAT strategies will be recommended by the climate action plan, we can look to other communities to understand what types of strategies are common and start thinking
about the South Bend-specific priorities and implementation approaches.
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Typical Strategy Areas
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Full Report
Full Report
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Prioritizing Strategies
Will the strategy be effective in reducing emission? How much?
Can we get it off the ground with existing resources or partners or will it take a lot of development?
Can we tweak existing policies and programs to make solutions low-cost for taxpayers or will it require significant investment? What will be the financial impact on individuals and buisnesses?
Does it align with other city priorities? (e.g. stormwater mgmt, mobility for all people, workforce development and supporting new industries, quality neighborhoods)
Does it better the lives of the most vulnerable and reflect the assets and needs highlighted by the community?
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What’s Next
Council Member Jo Broden
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Each top strategy will need a work plan
Review of similar programs/best practices
Est budget and funding sources
Partnerships needed
Community support
Administration action
Council action
Iterative
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Climate Resolution Language
Draft
Reviewed the public comments from the meeting
Reviewed several other communities’ climate legislation
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