REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on Sustainability Program and Provide Feedback on Program Priorities
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
The need for sustainability and climate action was identified several decades ago. However, in recent years the consequences of climate change have become increasingly severe with an observable impact on all sectors of our society. Additionally, local, regional, national and international momentum demonstrates a more widely accepted recognition that making bold commitments to sustainability and taking action that creates climate solutions is not only needed to support a livable planet, but is also critical for the success of our society and our economy.
Regulations and policy targets around climate action, sustainability, and energy innovation include:
• 2006 Assembly Bill (AB) 32 - California Global Warming Solutions Act aimed at reducing Statewide GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
• California Executive Order (EO) B-30-15 targeted reductions in GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
• 2016 SB 32 expanded on AB 32 by requiring further reduction of GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
• 2016 Senate Bill (SB) 1383 - Short Lived Climate Pollutants Strategy targeted organic Waste methane emission reductions establishing targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025.
• 2018 California EO B-55-18 called for carbon neutrality by 2045.
• 2018 SB 100 - accelerated the State’s current Renewables Portfolio Standard program to 50% by 2025, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045.
2018 AB 1668 and SB 606 established guidelines for efficient water use and a framework for the implementation and oversight of the new standards.
More recently, the push to reduce carbon through more aggressive measures and support environmental equity has been proposed at the State and Federal levels with policy such as:
• 2020 State EO N-79-20 requiring that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
• 2021 President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing U.S. Leadership on Clean Energy Technologies.
While there is a steep climb ahead to meet sustainability and climate related regulations and targets, this challenge presents an opportunity to creatively integrate sustainability into City planning and operations and to implement measures today that protect our community’s long term health and social and economic vitality.
In February of 2019, the City of Santa Clara adopted sustainability as one of the City Council’s seven strategic pillars. In 2020 the City established a new sustainability program to create more coordinated and impactful strategies and actions for addressing sustainability and climate issues. The City’s sustainability program takes an integrative and multi-solving approach to achieve the ambitious goals set forth by State regulations and is committed to developing and implementing sustainability initiatives and incorporating equitable community involvement along the way.
Sustainability is of particular importance as the City addresses the overlapping challenges related to climate change, energy, transportation, waste management, water conservation, sustainable development, and overall sustainability in operations. The growing climate and sustainability regulatory mandates offer the City an opportunity to build upon past and current sustainability efforts while looking towards new and innovative approaches to create a Sustainable Santa Clara that actively contributes towards a resilient future.
DISCUSSION
Over the past year the program focused on assessing existing sustainability efforts, building internal and community collaboration networks, and implementing targeted sustainability related programs and projects. This includes:
• Establishing an internal Sustainability Green Team
• Preparing an update to the Climate Action Plan and associated community engagement
• Exploring and conducting community outreach on new building electrification and electric vehicle (EV) reach codes
• Expanding community engagement opportunities
• Expanding energy incentives/rebates
• Incorporating greening strategies in City operations and at City facilities
• Collaborating with local and regional sustainability partners
In the year ahead, the City will continue to expand and implement new and existing sustainability related initiatives, plans and policies while continuing to grow a collaborative, community-wide network to advance sustainability and climate action efforts. The proposed priorities include:
• Align implementation of sustainability related plans through cross-departmental work sessions
• Update green purchasing policy and practices as opportunities and regulations arise
• Incorporate sustainability into City parks, facilities, and fleet
• Explore and expand transportation and clean mobility options and initiatives
• Explore and expand sustainable energy solutions
• Identify and implement water conservation, nature-based climate solutions, and other natural resource conservation strategies
• Expand community education & outreach programs and provide community engagement opportunities
• Utilize new and existing partnerships to increase reach/impact across targeted sustainability areas
• Update Sustainability related Legislative Advocacy Positions
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to approving this sustainability report.
COORDINATION
In addition to following council direction on the proposed priorities, the Sustainability Program continues to be developed and implemented in collaboration with several City departments including, but not limited to, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Silicon Valley Power, Water and Sewer, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Library, and Finance.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov><mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the overview of Sustainability Program and Provide Feedback on Program Priorities.
Staff
Reviewed by: Michelle Templeton, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager