Davis Reaffirms Climate Action and Paris Agreement

STAFF REPORT (PDF Download)

DATE: July 11, 2017

TO: City Council

FROM: Mike Webb, Assistant City Manager, Mitch Sears, Sustainability Manager

SUBJECT: Climate Action Executive Order – Paris Climate Agreement

[Editor’s Note: The full text of the City Council staff report and the Resolution say it all. Read on, it’s worth it. Basic links are for informational purposes and were not part of the original report.]

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution re-affirming the City’s commitment to taking action to reduce climate pollution consistent with the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and in alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Council Goal

The recommended action is consistent with implementation of the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, directly addressing the Council goal of pursuing environmental sustainability and conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.

Background and Analysis

In 2010 the City Council adopted the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Earlier action to support international efforts to reduce global GHG emissions included support of the Kyoto Protocol in 2006 and numerous related statements and actions. The recent action by the Federal Government to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is inconsistent with City of Davis policy and actions over the past 50 years that support a more stable climate.

The attached resolution aligns Davis with more than two-hundred-ninety two (292) mayors representing more than 60 million Americans [update: 369 mayors representing 67.5 million people] who have recently re-affirmed their cities’ commitments to climate action through the Climate Mayors initiative. The resolution authorizes the Davis Mayor to represent the City’s adopted position and policies related to climate change.

The Natural Resources Commission approved a recommendation at its June 26, 2017 meeting supporting a statement/resolution by the City re-affirming its commitment to taking action to reduce climate pollution consistent with the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and supporting the Paris Climate Agreement.

Staff will continue to monitor activities at the Federal level that may impact the City’s progress toward the City’s local GHG reduction goals.

Attachment 1. Resolution 07-11-17 City Council Meeting 05G – 1

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DAVIS RE-AFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO TAKING ACTION TO REDUCE CLIMATE POLLUTION CONSISTENT WITH THE DAVIS CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the City of Davis has demonstrated leadership in climate friendly practices including alternative transportation, energy efficiency, water conservation, land-use planning, inclusionary housing, farmland and natural resource protection, and recycling for the past 50 years; and

WHEREAS, there is scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change and the recognition that human activity, especially the combustion of fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases, is an important driver of climate change; and

WHEREAS, climate change has been widely recognized by government, business and academic leaders as a worldwide threat with the potential to harm our economy, safety, public health, and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, many local, regional, and global economies are joining Davis to prioritize efficiency and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources; and WHEREAS, actions that reduce climate pollution also have potential to improve air quality, public health, energy security, social equity, our local natural environment, and quality of life for our residents; and

WHEREAS, taking steps to increase energy efficiency and resilience can attract jobs and economic development opportunities to our community and increase our long-term economic competitiveness and wealth; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis has demonstrated a legacy of leadership against the threat of climate change; and

WHEREAS, on September 29, 1999, the City of Davis adopted a resolution to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign; and

WHEREAS, on April 18, 2006, the City of Davis adopted a resolution endorsing the US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, thereby committing to strive to meet the Kyoto emission reduction targets of 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and

WHEREAS, in June 2008 the City completed a GHG emissions inventory and on November 18, 2008, the City of Davis adopted local GHG emission reduction targets with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050;

WHEREAS, the City of Davis remains committed to its adopted goal of carbon neutrality by 2050; and 07-11-17 City Council Meeting 05G – 2

WHEREAS, several drivers of climate pollution such as the production and use of energy in buildings and transportation can influenced by local governments and the collective action of communities around the world; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis adopted its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan in 2010 outlining steps the City has committed to taking in partnership with others to achieve our climate action goals; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis has already taken a variety of important actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance quality of life in our community, including long-term commitments to alternative transportation options, advanced energy efficiency building standards, local renewable energy production, and sustainable community land use planning; and

WHEREAS, an example of these GHG reduction actions was the May 2016 the Davis City Council adoption of the goal to double the number and production of solar PV systems on residential roof-tops resulting in PV systems on 50% of owner occupied homes generating approximately 21Mw of electricity; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis, in partnership with Yolo County and the City of Woodland, is in the process of launching a Community Choice Energy program to offer its residents and businesses a cost competitive, lower GHG choice of electricity providers; and

WHEREAS, we are joined in taking action on climate change by a global coalition of cities, state and national governments and community and private sector leaders who recognize the importance and potential of these actions to protect and enhance the well-being of current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, more than two-hundred-ninety two (292) mayors representing more than 60 million Americans have recently re-affirmed their cities’ commitments to climate action; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis actively collaborates with other local governments throughout our region, state, nation, and the world to learn from each other and identify win-win opportunities to take action on climate change while creating measurable benefits in our communities; and

WHEREAS, 195 countries, including the United States, vowed to address climate change in agreements reached in Paris in December 2015 (the “Paris Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, President Donald Trump’s announcement seeking to withdraw the United States of America from the Paris Agreement undermines this critical global effort to confront one of the greatest challenges facing our community and communities across the planet; and

WHEREAS, the reality of climate change has not been affected by recent political announcements; and

WHEREAS, the absence of federal leadership only increases the importance of local leadership in avoiding the most dangerous and costly effects of climate change; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis Natural Resources Commission approved a recommendation at its June 26, 2017 meeting supporting a statement/resolution by the City re-affirming its commitment 07-11-17 City Council Meeting 05G – 3 to taking action to reduce climate pollution consistent with the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and supporting the Paris Climate Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Davis re-affirms its commitment to taking action to reduce climate pollution in alignment with the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Davis continues to support the principles of the Paris Agreement and the participation of the United States of America as a party to the Paris Agreement; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Davis will continue to stand with cities and other public and private sector partners throughout the world to advance action in accordance with the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Davis City Council authorizes the City of Davis Mayor to represent the City’s adopted position and policies related to climate change.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Davis City Council, State of California, this 20th day of June 2017, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTENTIONS:

Robb Davis Mayor

ATTEST: Zoe S. Mirabile, CMC City Clerk