AGENDA DATE: 6/6/2018
TITLE:
Title
Local Climate Action Planning Process - Presentation and Guidance
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Local Climate Action Planning Process - Presentation and Guidance
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Letteri, Henry, Harper and Lowe
PRESENTER (S): Lowe, Henry
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: At its September 6, 2017, meeting the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution (Attachment A) re-affirming the County of Albemarle’s commitment to climate action, resolving to continue to stand with cities, counties, and other public and private sector partners throughout the world to advance action in accordance with local and international goals. The resolution further committed to ongoing efforts to coordinate with community partners and local stakeholders to build on past measures by developing a Climate Action Plan. A Climate Action Plan is a set of strategies intended to guide efforts for climate change mitigation. Recommended practice involves setting a specific total goal for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - usually stated in a carbon dioxide equivalency. The intent of the Albemarle County Climate Action Plan (ACCAP) development process is to create a guidance document that clearly states emission reduction goals for the entire community, policies declaring County commitments, strategies to achieve desired results, and tools that may be used to execute the strategies.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority Area #6. Explore more extensive environmental protection initiatives i.e. implement select recommendations from the Local Climate Action Planning Progress Report (LCAPP).
DISCUSSION: County of Albemarle staff propose the ACCAP will be the first of multiple, iterative efforts over the course of the coming decades. It will build on the 2011 Local Climate Action Planning Process (LCAPP) report (Attachment B), including the emissions reduction sector 5-Part Framework.
GHG reduction goals will be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. The goals will include sub-goals by emissions sector and interim goals to measure progress. Goals and the strategies to achieve them will address climate impacts of local government operations and the greater Albemarle community.
Development of a robust and actionable ACCAP will require cross-functional teams from multiple departments and partner agencies. The following structure is proposed:
• Steering Team - consisting of Albemarle County management team members and major stakeholders, will provide guidance on goals, policies, and strategies, and will support the plan development process through commitment of necessary resources
• Coordination Team - a core group of County staff members across departments will serve as the project team and nucleus of activity of the ACCAP development process. The Coordination Team will coordinate the efforts of Emissions Sector Work Teams (see below), ensure ACCAP integration with the Comprehensive Plan and other planning and policy instruments, coordinate community engagement efforts and external stakeholder engagement, and compile the draft ACCAP
• Emissions Sector Work Teams (ESWT’s) - organized by emissions sector and internal/external focus, and comprised of staff with relevant expertise and responsibilities, ESWT’s will analyze national and global best practices, establish recommended emissions sector-specific goals and strategies, and will weigh the short- and long-term costs and benefits of emissions reduction strategies, in terms of climate impact, practicability, and fiscal responsibility
A meaningful Climate Action Plan necessitates a robust community engagement process. Community engagement will include both in-person and online opportunities for citizens to learn and to provide input. Public meetings are anticipated at several stages throughout the ACCAP development process.
Provided that the Board approves the ACCAP, work will begin to implement those strategies which can be accomplished with existing resources and expected resource additions in FY19. Staff envisions that the Coordination Team and others will then begin preparing the first of several secondary planning efforts, further defining more broadly stated strategies into discreet efforts and/or projects, and where necessary developing resource proposals to accomplish them. Similar exercises should be conducted on a recurring basis, as progress toward emissions reduction goals are measured, reduction strategies develop, and/or opportunities emerge to leverage advancements in technology.
BUDGET IMPACT: It can be expected that the recommended strategies will require ongoing commitments of staff resources and direct impacts to the County’s operating and capital budgets. Associated cost estimates will be refined during and immediately following the ACCAP development process, and will be included in budgeting processes in out years.
An Energy Program Coordinator (EPC) position (1 FTE) and a $100,000 budget for climate action plan implementation programs are included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget which was recently approved by the Board for public hearing. The Energy Program Coordinator staff position will be a critical resource in the timeline and development of the climate action plan as described in this presentation. The EPC position will aid in work of the Coordination Team, Emission Sector Work Teams as well as the public engagement plan. The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) has proposal to implement residential and commercial energy programs in Albemarle County.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff requests Board concurrence with direction to implement the work plan as described.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Climate Action Resolution
Attachment B: Local Climate Action Planning Process Steering Committee Final Report