AGENDA DATE: 9/5/2018
TITLE:
Title
Climate Action - "We Are Still In" Declaration
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize Chair Signature for "We Are Still In" Declaration
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Harper, and Lowe
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On September 6th, 2017, the Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution to Reaffirm Commitment to Support Local Actions to Reduce Climate Pollution (Attachment A). The September Resolution further commits Albemarle County to develop a community-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP). Albemarle County has a long history of supporting local climate action initiatives, including collaborating on the Local Climate Action Planning Process (LCAPP) with the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia beginning in 2009.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Natural Resource Stewardship: Thoughtfully protect and manage Albemarle County's ecosystems and natural resources in both the rural and development areas to safeguard the quality of life of current and future generations. Infrastructure Investment: Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: As the County begins the difficult and detailed work to develop a local Climate Action Plan, we should not miss immediate opportunities to take action - even those as simple as a declaration of intent. While the Board reaffirmed its commitment to climate action by way of the September 2017 resolution, it also has an opportunity be a signatory to an open letter to the international community. The "We Are Still In" Declaration (Attachment B) is a means by which by US cities, state and tribes, businesses, and universities are committing to continued support of climate action to meet the 2015 Paris Agreement. This initiative began in 2017 and includes over 3,000 organizat...
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