Atherton City Council
October 4, 2023

AGENDA PACKET
Town of Atherton
City Council
OCTOBER 04, 2023
SPECIAL MEETING – STUDY SESSION
3:00 PM
Council Chambers
80 Fair Oaks Lane
Atherton, CA 94027
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This Agenda may not reflect the actual order of items.  The order of items is subject to change based on Council action.

SPECIAL MEETING ­ STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL – Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Vice Mayor Hawkins­Manuelian, Mayor Widmer PUBLIC COMMENT – Public Comments can be emailed directly to [email protected]
As a Special Meeting, Public Comment is limited to items that are on the Agenda. Speakers’ time is limited to three minutes. Speakers may also speak when the item comes up on the Agenda during the meeting.

PRESENTATIONS
Staff Introductions:

Tim Au, Associate Engineer – Public Works Department
Jeannette Tapiru, Junior Accountant – Finance Division
ACTION ITEMS
1 ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE AND CEQA NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
Report: RACHAEL LONDER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST II
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Council adopt a Resolution to approve the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update and CEQA Notice of Exemption.

Description: This item is a comprehensive review of strategies include in the 2023 Climate Action Plan (CAP): Pathway to Carbon Neutrality.

COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
Meeting Agenda Packet – October 04, 2023

ACTION ITEMS
1 ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE AND CEQA NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
Report: RACHAEL LONDER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST II
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Council adopt a Resolution to approve the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update and CEQA Notice of Exemption.

Description: This item is a comprehensive review of strategies include in the 2023 Climate Action Plan (CAP): Pathway to Carbon Neutrality.

COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS

ADJOURN
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

If you challenge a Town zoning, planning, or any other decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the Town at, or prior to, the public hearing.  Judicial review of any Town administrative decision may be had only if a petition is filed with the court not later than the 90th day following the date upon which the decision becomes final.  Judicial review of environmental determinations may be subject to a shorter time period.

Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure that relate to each item of business referred to on the agenda are available for public inspection by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before each regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 752­0500.  Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.  (29 CRF

35.104 ADA Title II)
AB 2449 & AB 361:

AB 2449 reiterates standard Brown Act teleconference rules, re­codifies the rules set out in AB 361 for times of declared emergency, and also provides for relaxed teleconferencing rules when a member of the legislative body needs to attend remotely for an emergency, or other reasons supported by “just cause.”
Teleconference Rules Available January 1, 2023
A legislative body may hold a “hybrid” (partial teleconference, partial in­person) meeting without having to comply with certain procedural requirements (post agendas at teleconference locations, identify teleconference locations in the agenda, make all teleconference locations open to the public) in the following limited circumstances:

One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) have “just cause” for not attending the meeting in person (childcare or family caregiving need, contagious illness, physical or mental disability need, or travel while on official public business); or One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) experience an “emergency Meeting Agenda Packet – October 04, 2023

Teleconference Rules Available January 1, 2023
A legislative body may hold a “hybrid” (partial teleconference, partial in­person) meeting without having to comply with certain procedural requirements (post agendas at teleconference locations, identify teleconference locations in the agenda, make all teleconference locations open to the public) in the following limited circumstances:

One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) have “just cause” for not attending the meeting in person (childcare or family caregiving need, contagious illness, physical or mental disability need, or travel while on official public business); or One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) experience an “emergency circumstance” (a physical or family medical emergency that prevents in­person attendance).

The legislative body will continue to have the option to meet via teleconference by following traditional Brown Act rules of identifying, posting, and opening up their teleconference locations.

Meeting Agenda Packet – October 04, 2023

Item No. 1
Town of Atherton

CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM: RACHAEL LONDER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST II
DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2023
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2023 CLIMATE ACTION

PLAN UPDATE AND CEQA NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution to Approve the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update and CEQA Notice of Exemption

BACKGROUND
In 2016, Atherton adopted its first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP) setting a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy and water, transportation, and waste by 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 49 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The Plan includes 25 actions to take to support the town in reaching the targets aligned with the State’s requirements established by AB 32 and SB 32 which respectively aimed to reduce the State’s Green House Gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. In 2017, the Council prioritized 16 of the 25 CAP actions acknowledging that the CAP would need to be updated to reach the 2030 targets.

On November 3, 2021, during the City Council’s Study Session, staff shared a five-year update on the Climate Action Plan highlighting actions that helped the Town reduce emissions by 20.4% exceeding its first target of a 15 percent reduction by 2020. Staff recommended updating the Climate Action Plan to refine and add measures that would support the Town in achieving the second target of a 49 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 and aligning with the State’s updated goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 (Executive Order B-55-18). With direction from Council, Staff began working with the County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability in 2022 to quantify the Town’s progress towards GHG reduction targets and update the GHG targets for 2030 and 2045 to stay consistent with State regulations.

On June 21, 2023, during the City Council’s Regular Meeting, staff presented a high-level overview of the CAP including updated goals and objectives. The Council gave direction to staff

Climate Action Plan Update
October 4, 2023

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to return for a study session to provide more time for an in-depth discussion covering each of the proposed actions included in the CAP.

ANALYSIS
Using the Town's first CAP (2016) as a foundation, the 2023 update includes prioritized strategies for the Town to take in four focus areas: energy and water, transportation, solid waste, and carbon sequestration & water conservation. Each focus area has goals, objectives, and supporting strategies. The CAP’s goals state the quantitative targets for emissions reductions, the objectives provide measurable steps for achieving goals, and the strategies include concrete tasks needed to achieve the objectives that can be taken by both the Town and the community. This structure enables the Town to implement, measure, and track GHG emission reduction targets in accordance with the State’s legislation:
➢ 2030: Reduce emissions to 49 percent below 2005 baseline or 4.9 MTCO2e per-capita ➢ 2045: Reduce emissions to 100 percent below 2005 baseline or 0 MTCO2e per-capita The 61 strategies in the 2023 CAP Update include priority actions from the 2016 Plan and new strategies that reflect emerging technologies, updated state targets, and community-centered approaches. The strategies span across each of the focus areas:
➢ Building Energy: utilizing technological advances to support building electrification, renewable energy, and energy storage in the community and in Town operations. ➢ Transportation: shifting to electric powered vehicles and zero-emission off-road equipment in addition to increasing community adoption of public transit, walking, and biking.
➢ Waste and Materials Management: eliminating single-use plastics, creating organic compost from curbside collection, and promoting reducing, reusing, and recycling. ➢ Carbon Sequestration and Water Use: sequestering carbon through tree planting, compost application, and building materials.

Town staff evaluated and selected CAP strategies based on GHG emission reduction potential, return on investment, feasibility, priority from the Town's 2016 CAP, and feedback from the Environmental Programs Committee. The strategies included in this report are critical to reducing the Town’s carbon footprint and are intended to guide future sustainability program planning. Each strategy can be reviewed on the Town’s Climate Dashboard (Attachment 1) at https://tinyurl.com/AthertonCAP.

NEXT STEPS
Town staff will work with the County Office of Sustainability to confirm the GHG emissions inventory for 2021 and 2022. 2020 inventories will be skipped due to short-term changes that occurred as a result of the pandemic but are not indicative of CAP implementation progress. The updated 2021 and 2022 inventories will help staff to track progress on actions already taken.

Through 2023 and 2024, CAP implementation will be focused on building electrification, zeroemission vehicles, compost procurement, and education and community engagement. Town Staff

Climate Action Plan Update
October 4, 2023

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will return to Council in 2024 with an update on progress towards achieving the emissions reductions including the status of each of the 61 actions.

FISCAL IMPACT
Implementation of the 2023 CAP will have a budgetary impact on the Town that is uncertain at this time. A portion of the implementation will be covered by the Sustainability Program operating budget within the City Manager's Office. Specific funding needs for each recommended action will be determined as part of the implementation process and will be requested as part of the approval process for each proposed action.

GOAL ALIGNMENT
This report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal E – Strengthen Community Engagement and Transparency • Goal F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned

POLICY FOCUS
The 2016 Climate Action Plan set a policy precedent for aligning with the State’s emissions reductions requirements. In 2016, the Council acknowledged that an update would be needed after the 2020 goals were achieved to meet the State-mandated 49% reduction by 2030. This 2023 update provides a clear policy pathway to achieve the 2030 goals and further aligns with the State’s Executive Order B-55-18 which aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all jurisdictions in California. Adoption of the 2023 Climate Action Plan establishes a new policy framework to reduce emissions to create a carbon-neutral future for Atherton thus future policies will be presented to the Council as a part of the Climate Action Plan’s implementation.

PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,400 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders – to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item X has or has not been before a Town Committee or Commission. ____ Audit/Finance Committee (meets every other month)
____ Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee (meets as needed)
____ Civic Center Advisory Committee (meets as needed)
_X__ Environmental Programs Committee (meets every other month)

Climate Action Plan Update
October 4, 2023

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5 0
____ Park and Recreation Committee (meets each month)
____ Planning Commission (meets each month)
____ Rail Committee (meets every other month)
____ Transportation Committee (meets every other month)

ATTACHMENTS

1. Resolution No. 23 – XX Climate Action Plan Update

2. 2023 Climate Action Plan: Pathway to Carbon Neutrality

3. Background, Supplementary Findings and Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories

4. CEQA Notice of Exemption

5. Atherton’s Climate Dashboard – Access Online at https://tinyurl.com/AthertonCAP

Resolution No. 2023 – XX Page 1 of 2 October 4, 2023
RESOLUTION NO. 23-XX

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ATHERTON
ADOPTING THE 2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
WHEREAS, climate change is already affecting the Town of Atherton, and impacts such as more frequent heat waves, power outages, flooding, wildfire, and unhealthy air quality are felt most acutely by our communities most vulnerable members including children, and older adults; and
WHEREAS, in October 2016, the City Council adopted its first Climate Action Plan to mitigate climate change to limit these impacts; and
WHEREAS, the 2016 Climate Action established a greenhouse (GHG) emissions reduction goal that was consistent with California State Assembly Bill 32, passed in 2018, to achieve 1990 GHG emissions levels by 2020, which the Town reached and exceed three years exceeded two years early through the establishment of Peninsula Clean Energy and implementation of other climate actions; and
WHEREAS, additional state climate legislation has been passed since the first Climate Action Plan was adopted including California State Senate Bill 32 (2016) which establishes a statewide goal to reduce GHG emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and Executive Order 55-18, issued in 2018, which calls for carbon neutrality by 2045; and WHEREAS, adopting the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update will further align the Town with achieving statewide goals by establishing emission reduction targets of 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045 by making investments in building energy, transportation, waste reduction, and natural areas; and WHEREAS, meeting the Climate Action Plan’s goals will bring numerous communitywide benefits including, but not limited to improved public health, resilience to power shutoffs, reduced energy and transportation costs, increased community cohesion, and maintaining a vibrant park; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Programs Committee reviewed and informed the strategies in the Climate Action Plan during their meeting on May 18; and WHEREAS, the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update would become a guiding document to inform sustainability programs and policies in order to achieve 2030 and 2045 emission reduction goals; and
WHEREAS, the Town Staff will continue to update annual greenhouse gas emission inventories to track progress and will provide an annual update to the City Council on progress; and

Resolution No. 2023 – XX Page 2 of 2 October 4, 2023
WHEREAS, the Town has found the Climate Action Plan is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines 15262 (Planning and Feasibility Studies), 15061(b)(3) (No Possibility of Significant Effect), 15306 (Information Collection), 15307 (Protection of Natural Resources) and 15308 (Protection of the Environment); and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Exemption has been prepared pursuant to Section 15062 of CEQA. The Town will file the Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk following the adoption of the CAP pursuant to Section 15062 of CEQA.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Town of Atherton hereby adopts the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update to become the current guiding framework for sustainability programs and policies further implemented by staff at the City Council and authorizes the City Manager to file the Notice of Exemption.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the Town of Atherton held on the 4th day of October by the following vote:

AYES: Council members:

NOES: Council members:

ABSTAIN: Council members:

ABSENT: Council members:
________________________
Bill Widmer, MAYOR
Town of Atherton
ATTEST:
____________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ____
Andreas Booher, Assistant City Attorney

Last Updated September 2023

Acknowledgments
Atherton City Council
Bill Widmer, Mayor
Diana Hawkins-Manuelian, Vice Mayor
Rick DeGolia, Council Member
Elizabeth Lewis, Council Member
Stacy Miles Holland, Council Member
p. 1 About the Plan
Highlights and the Plan
At A Glance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
p. 3 Objectives
What are we trying to
achieve?
p. 5 Strategies
How are we going to get
there?
p. 20 Looking Ahead
Where will we start?
Atherton City Manager
George Rodericks
Atherton City Staff
Anthony Suber, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Robert Ovadia, Public Works Director
Robert Barron III, Finance Director
Michael Greenlee, Building Official
Steve McCulley, Chief of Police
Project Lead
Rachael Londer, Management Analyst II
Douglas Kim, Sustainability Coordinator (former)
Special thanks to the San Mateo County Office of
Sustainability and their RICAPS program for our emissions inventory and quantification of our strategies!
Environmental Programs Committee
Amy Farrell, Chair
Kenneth Frederick, Committee Member
Gregory Loew, Committee Member Page 11 of 150
Highlights of climate strategies taken since the first CAP was adopted in 2016 13% of Atherton's vehicles are electric or
hybrid electric (2021 DMV data) and 182 EV
charger permits have been issued.

Partnered with Home Energy Analytics
to provide 148 homes with concierge
energy saving service saving residents an
average of 11% of their gas and
electricity use or a total of $2,000
annually. Participated in BayREN
program resulting in 11 homes accessing
rebates for whole house upgrades.

Six new miles of bike lanes have been built and
grant projects are in the making for El Camino
and Selby Lane doubling the number of miles
for bike trips. Bike racks installed at Town
Center in both public and employee areas.

Constructed an all-electric Town
Center with planned solar panel
installation that will save the Town
an estimated $800,000 over 20 years.

Installed 2 EV chargers at Town Center
and are pursuing the installation of 8
more at Holbrook Palmer Park for a total
of 20 charging ports.

Established organic waste program
with GreenWaste Recovery to
decrease Atherton's waste
emissions by 26%. Adopted an
ordinance to substantially reduce
the use of disposable food ware at
schools and organizations.

Banned gas-powered leaf blower bans
(effective July 1, 2024) and established
$250 rebate program.

Renewable Electricity
Zero-Emissions Vehicles
Building Electrification Residential Energy Efficiency
Bike Infrastructure
Reduced Waste
Electric Vehicle Chargers
Landscaping Equipment
Formed Peninsula Clean Energy with all other
jurisdictions in San Mateo County to provide
100% clean energy to residents.
283 homeowners installed solar.
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE:

PATHWAY TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
Through the strong leadership of the Atherton City Council, the 2023 update to the Town of Atherton's Climate Action Plan (CAP) outlines priority strategies to achieve a 49% emissions reduction by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality in the Atherton community and government operations by 2045. Carbon neutrality requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Atherton by 100% from the 2005 baseline, which was the first year the Town completed a GHG emissions inventory. By reaching this goal, the Town of Atherton will demonstrate leadership in climate action, create a more sustainable and resilient community for all residents, and reflect the rate of action needed to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, hazardous air quality form wildfire, extreme storms, and flooding, that the Town is already experiencing.

Atherton's CAP generates a pathway to make deep reductions in direct emissions generated from sources such as natural gas in buildings and petroleum in transportation. Using a variety of carbon sequestration strategies, remaining emissions can be captured and stored in landscapes throughout the Town. Establishing a bold carbon neutrality goal will not only bring economic, environmental, and societal benefits to the Atherton community but will also improve the efficiency of the Town's operations and enhance the quality of service provided to Town residents. The CAP supports the Town’s efforts to manage its own GHG emissions and is a call-to-action to residents, community institutions and schools, and businesses to take an active role in the transition to a low-carbon future and clean economy.

These successes among others led to the Town to exceed it's goal of a 15% reduction from 2005 levels by 2020. The Town's 19% reduction is the equivalent of taking 4,374 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road for a year! 1

Focus Areas
Building off of the Town's first CAP (2016), this 2023 update includes prioritized strategies for the Town to take in four focus areas including energy and water, transportation, solid waste, and carbon sequestration & water conservation. You'll find new strategies across each focus area alongside the priority strategies identified in 2016. Additionally, for the first year, this plan establishes a pathway to remove carbon in the atmosphere through carbon sequestration and begins to build a framework for including the climate impact of goods consumed in Town.

Prioritized Climate Strategies
Town staff evaluated and selected CAP strategies based on GHG emission reduction potential, return on investment, feasibility, and priority from the Town's 2016 CAP. The strategies included in this report are critical to reducing the Town’s carbon footprint and are intended to guide future sustainability program planning. Each focus area has goals, objectives, and supporting strategies. The goals state the quantitative targets for emissions reductions, the objectives provide measurable steps for achieving goals, and the strategies include concrete tasks needed to achieve the objectives that can be both taken by the Town and the community. The strategies in the tables below are listed in order of priority to implement. Implementation will be phased, depending on feasibility, funding, and available technology, over the next 22 years. The effort of all Town residents and employees is needed to achieve carbon neutrality.

Pathway to Carbon Neutrality
Figure 1 shows a pie chart of the Town's GHG emissions. Figure 2 demonstrates the potential percent decrease in emissions produced by each key objective by 2045 in order to reach carbon neutrality.

26.6% of emissions
reductions will come
from increasing walking,
biking, riding the bus,
and EV adoption
through Town
2023 PLAN AT A GLANCE
2 Figure 2. Key objectives to reach carbon neutrality, or a reduction of 41,575 metric tons of C02e by 2045.

52.9% of emissions
reductions will come
from electrifying all new
buildings and
electrifying 78% of
existing buildings by
2045

20.4% of emissions
reductions will come
from achieving
organics diversion &
compost procurement
Remaining amounts of carbon
can be sequestered through
tree planting. 200 trees
planted will capture and store

0.4% of the Town's emissions.

Figure 1. Atherton Community Emissions by Sector, 2019

Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
BE- E1 Electrify new construction 100% of new construction is all-electric Maintain 100% of new construction as allelectric
BE-E2 Electrify existing buildings 26% of existing buildings are electrified 78% of existing buildings are electric E3 Promote use of clean energy Reduce PCE opt-out rates to 3% Maintain a 3% or less opt out rate 3 Climate Action Plan
Objectives
The Climate Action Plan is structured around four focus areas: 1) Energy; 2) Transportation; 3) Solid Waste and Materials Management; and 4) Carbon Sequestration and Water Use. Each focus area has high-level objectives, and listed under each objective there are a variety of strategies that are critical in achieving the success of the quantified greenhouse gas emissions calculated with each objective. Included are a mix of strategies that will catalyze structural change, promote education, align funding, be feasible, support partnerships, and promote equity and inclusion. Review all of the Climate Action Plan's Objectives below.

Building Energy
Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
T1
Implement the Projects in the
Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan
Decrease vehicle miles travelled (VMT) by

0.42%
Decrease VMT by 1%
T2
Decarbonize passenger and
commercial vehicles and off
road equipment
Increase passenger adoption from 7.36%
to 50%, increase commercial from 9.71%
to 25% by 2030
Increase both to 100%
T3
Promote biking, walking, rolling,
and taking transit through and
in Town
Increase active transportation mode
share from 2% to 4%
Increase active transportation mode share
to 7%
Transportation
What are we trying to achieve?

Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
C1
Increase the community's tree
canopy
Plant 650 trees Plant 1,500 trees
C2
Explore carbon sequestration
opportunities in the community
Quantify and pursue opportunities
Carbon loads that can not be zeroed will be
offset by an array of carbon sequestration
approaches
C3
Reduce embodied carbon in
building materials
Achieve a 20% net reduction of GHG
emissions of building materials
Maintain or increase 40% reduction
(should be met by 2035 per AB 2446)
C4
Conserve water both in
landscaping and in buildings
Gallons used is less than State guidelines
per capita
Gallons used is less than State guidelines
per capita
Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
W1
Implement SB 1383
requirements to divert organic
waste, reduce inorganic waste,
and procure compost.

Reduce community-wide landfilled
organics 75% by 2025 and maintain,
apply 600 tons of compost to land areas
throughout the community
Reduce all community-wide landfilled
waste by 90%, apply 659 tons of compost
to land areas throughout the community
W2 Eliminate single use plastics
Achieve zero plastic waste in municipal
operations
Achieve zero plastic waste in the
community
W3
Promote waste diversion
through home composting,
reducing, reusing, and recycling
Reduce all waste by 35% Reduce all waste by 90% by 2040 4 Climate Action Plan
Objectives
Solid Waste
Carbon Sequestration and Water Use
What are we trying to achieve?

5 Climate Action Plan Strategies
ENERGY
pages 6-8

TRANSPORTATION
pages 9-12

SOLID WASTE
pages 13-16

CARBON & WATER
pages 17-18

CONSUMPTION
page 19

Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
E1 Electrify new construction 100% of new construction is all-electric Maintain 100% of new construction as allelectric
E2 Electrify existing buildings 26% of existing buildings are electrified 78% of existing buildings are electric E3 Promote use of clean energy Maintain a 3% or less opt out rate Maintain a 3% or less opt out rate Priority Update Strategy Description
E1.1 New
Provide incentives and compliance pathways
for new construction to be electric
Explore electric-preferred or electric required reach
codes, increased permitting fees for natural gas
infrastructure and equipment, increased
requirements through CEQA, and compliance based
on emissions per project.

E1.2
Refined
EC1 from
2016 CAP
Encourage building all-electric
Conduct an educational campaign to promote the
benefits and versatility of electrification using case
studies, guides, and resources from Countywide
programs.
6 Buildings are the single largest contributor to GHG emissions in the Town, accounting for 65% of all emissions. These emissions stem primarily from the burning of methane (natural) gas and leakages in the gas infrastructure. Transitioning away from burning gas in buildings requires all-electric new construction and electric replacements for existing equipment at the end of its useful life.

Below are the climate objectives and strategies designed to reduce emissions from new and existing buildings. The tables indicate whether these are new measures or priority measures first identified in 2016.

OBJECTIVE 1: ELECTRIFY NEW CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY

7 OBJECTIVE 2: ELECTRIFY EXISTING BUILDINGS
Priority Update Strategy Description
E2.1
Refined
EC2 from
2016 CAP
Provide financial incentives, technical
support, and education to support the
transition from gas to electric
appliances including air source heat
pumps, heat pump water heaters,
electric dryers, and electric stoves
Work with PCE and PG&E, regional climate programs like
RICAPS, and local installers to create an Electrification Support Hub to provide technical and financial support to residents, organizations, and businesses needing to
replace gas appliances upon burnout. Promote incentives provided by PCE, PG&E, and other entities (like federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) to
assist with all-electric appliance replacements and the upgrade of electric panels to accommodate all-electric
technologies including solar PV, battery storage, and
electric vehicle chargers.

E2.2 New
Create policies to advance the adoption
of electric appliances and systems in
existing buildings
Replacement of HVAC systems, hot water heaters,
stovetops, and other appliances be all-electric at
time of replacement, upon major renovation, and at
time of sale for residential buildings.

All buildings be electric-ready at the time of retrofit.

All air conditioning units to be replaced with heat
pumps at time of burn out.

Solar and battery storage installations, if feasible.

Explore electrification ordinances requiring:

E2.3 New
Maintain an online clearinghouse of
resources on electrification
Regularly communicate with PCE and PG&E about
electrification opportunities and technologies. Provide detailed information on the Town's website including
descriptions of the health and environmental benefits of electrification, links to PCE and PG&E resources on
electrification, up-to-date lists of local contractors that perform electric retrofits, and information about the
most cost-competitive residential electrification
technologies currently available.

E2.4
Refined
EC4 from
2016 CAP
Improve building permit compliance
with electric building requirements
Develop and implement a comprehensive permitting
compliance program to enforce the ordinance through
routine training of staff, dedicating staff time to building inspections, charging fees for noncompliance, providing easy to understand compliance checklists online and
with permit applications, and facilitating permitting
online. Provide easy pathways for complying with
voluntary CALGreen Tiers.

ENERGY

8 OBJECTIVE 2: ELECTRIFY EXISTING BUILDINGS (CONTINUED) Priority Update Strategy Description
E2.5 New
Establish partnerships with building
professionals
Work with the local contractors, realtors, homeowners
associations, and labor unions to develop a comprehensive building code and compliance training program, including hosting workforce development trainings discussing the
benefits and technical requirements of electrification.

E2.6 New
Improve process at the building counter
for major retrofits to go all-electric
Require all major retrofits to complete an electrification and efficiency checklist, clarifying the electrification and efficiency process requirements for homeowners and
developers.

E2.7 New
Partner will schools for electrification,
battery, solar, and electric vehicle
charging projects
Identify ways that the Town can support local public and private schools in electrifying existing facilities, installing photovoltaic solar systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

E2.8 New Decommission natural gas lines
Work with PG&E to identify opportunities for natural gas infrastructure pruning to reduce the chance of stranded assets (functional natural gas infrastructure with ongoing maintenance costs that has become obsolete due to
electrification) and identify funding for the abandonment and removal of the infrastructure.

E2.9
Refined
EM3 &
EM4 from
2016 CAP
Decarbonize Town facilities
Electrify facilities at Holbrook Palmer Park, install solar and storage where feasible, and maintain use of electric
equipment across all Town facilities. Consider battery
storage installation to replace or supplement diesel
generators for emergency power. Leverage ABAG's
Renewable Natural Gas Program for remaining gas loads.

OBJECTIVE 3: PROMOTE USE OF CLEAN ENERGY
Priority Update Strategy Description
E3.1
Refined
EC6 from
2016
CAP
Maintain Town-wide participation in
Peninsula Clean Energy
Work with PCE to conduct an annual analysis of non-PCE
usage rates in the Town to understand why residents and businesses opt out of PCE or use direct access electricity.

E3.2 New
Raise community awareness of Peninsula
Clean Energy
Collaborate with PCE and community-based organizations to conduct educational outreach to maintain the reduced optout rate levels.

ENERGY

9 TRANSPORTATION
Transportation emissions stem from the use of gasoline in vehicles through and in Town and the Town's vehicle fleet. Transitioning away from gasoline in transportation will require forward-thinking initiatives to envision mobility in and around Atherton that does not rely on gas vehicles, behavior change, and the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles in the Town's fleet of vehicles. Presented below are the climate objectives and strategies that are designed to reduce emissions transportation.

OBJECTIVE 1: DECARBONIZE PASSENGER AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND OFF ROAD EQUIPMENT Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
T1
Decarbonize passenger and
commercial vehicles and off
road equipment
Increase from passenger adoption from

7.36% to 50%, increase commercial from

9.71% to 25% by 2030
Increase both to 100%
T2
Promote biking, walking, rolling,
and taking transit through and
in Town
Decrease vehicle miles travelled (VMT) by

0.42%. Increase active transportation
mode share from 2% to 4%.

Decrease VMT by 1%. Increase active
transportation mode share to 7%.

Priority Update Strategy Description
T1.1 New Promote EV charger installations
Increase requirements for new construction projects to
install a minimum number of EV chargers based on Tier 2 CalGreen requirements. Provide information on incentive programs to install chargers, including upgrades of panel and circuits (where needed).

T1.2
TRM1
from
2016 CAP
Decarbonize the Town's vehicle fleet
Prioritize purchase of electric vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles where it meets operational requirements of the Police Department. Encourage staff to drive minimally and efficiently, where feasible and need dependent. Adopt a City Council ordinance for full fleet electrification by 2030.

T1.3 New Decarbonize fleets headquartered in Town
Conduct an investigation of commercial and school vehicle fleets in the Town and identify employers and institutions to participate in available federal and local incentive programs.

Explore utilizing business license to require electric vehicles for contractors doing business in Town.

T1.4 New
Coordinate regionally on decarbonizing
delivery trucks
Collaborate with San Mateo County jurisdictions to establish a regional licensing fee for commercial delivery vehicles operating on fossil fuels to provide funding for new active transportation and EV charging infrastructure.

Priority Update Strategy Description
T1.5 New
Ban local operation of fossil fuel powered
small off road equipment that the State is
banning the new sale of.

Develop and adopt an ordinance and enforcement program
that aligns with or exceeds AB-1346 to ban local operation of gasoline and diesel-powered off-road equipment.

T1.6 New
Provide incentives to decarbonize off-road
equipment
Partner with BAAQMD to expand rebate and incentive
programs available to residents to electrify off-road
equipment. Educate residents on the availability of rebate and incentive programs and coordinate with local businesses using off-road equipment to conduct outreach on available rebate and incentive programs.

T1.7 New
Explore opportunities for biofuels in
community and Town equipment
Partner with BAAQMD to expand rebate and incentive
programs for upgrading off-road equipment and switching to biofuels.
10 TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE 1: DECARBONIZE PASSENGER AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND OFF ROAD

EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)
Electric Vehicle Charging at Town Center
Children testing out electric rides captured by Leo Leung

Priority Update Description
T2.1
TRC1
from
2016 CAP
Improve infrastructure for biking and
walking through Town
Implement the Town's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan including expanding the bikeway network by 10.5 miles.

Commit staff time to apply for and manage grants.

T2.2 New
Create zero carbon ways to participate in
Town meetings and events
Offer bike parking and incentives for those who bike, walk, or carpool to Town meetings and events. Continue to offer remote participation options for all public meetings.

T2.3
Refined
TRM3
from
2016 CAP
Participate and promote a program to
help reduce single occupant vehicle
commutes
Partner with Commute.org Trip Reduction Programs to
provide Town employees and community members a suite
of resources for sustainable commuting including rideshare programs, shuttles, route planning, and incentives.

T2.4
Refined
TRM2
from
2016 CAP
Support clean commutes for Town
employees
Where feasible, establish alternative work schedules and telecommuting to reduce employee commute. Continue to
support housing options to enable Town employees to live or stay near Town Center during their work week. Establish a program to incentivize carpooling, vanpooling, biking,
walking, and taking transit to work.
11 TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE 2: PROMOTE TRIP REDUCTIONS, BIKING, WALKING, ROLLING, AND TAKING

TRANSIT THROUGH AND IN TOWN
Test riding bikes and e-bikes at the
Love Our Earth Festival on April 22, 2023
Bike parking at Town Hall complete with
tire fill-up and fix-it station Page 22 of 150
Priority Update Strategy Description
T2.5
TRC2
from
2016 CAP
Create safer routes for students to get to
school
Collaborate with C/CAG and the SMCOE to implement and
promote the Safe Route to Schools program by identifying funding avenues to invest in bike and pedestrian
infrastructure around the Town's schools and hosting Town events and outreach to increase volunteer participation.

T2.6 New
Increase bike safety skills and awareness
in the community
Partner with schools, youth sports leagues, and community groups such as Silicon Valley Bike Coalition to teach
residents bicycle and pedestrian safety and educate them on the safe route availability and the health and environmental benefits of walking and bicycling.

T2.7 New
Coordinate with regional partners and
neighboring jurisdictions on regional
active transportation planning and
infrastructure projects.

Remove cross-jurisdictional barriers to regional active transportation planning and infrastructure projects.

Reference micromobility C/CAG Plans, coordinate with
community-based organizations, and continue to monitor
funding opportunities for active transportation projects from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

T2.8 New
Manage Atherton's employers' commute
emissions
Require all employers to develop a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan and require large employers (more than 25 employees) to include money-based incentives for employees to bike, walk, carpool, or take the bus to work.

T2.9 New Improve access to public transit
Partner with regional agencies such as SAMTrans to conduct a study to determine transit priority corridors and determine best potential locations for local and regional public transit expansion. Explore programs to provide free transit rides to youth and residents living on low and fixed incomes and last mile options, shuttles, and car share programs.
12 TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE 2: PROMOTE TRIP REDUCTIONS, BIKING, WALKING, ROLLING, AND TAKING TRANSIT

THROUGH AND IN TOWN (CONTINUED)

13 SOLID WASTE
Waste produced by households, schools, and other organizations in Atherton is sent to a landfill that decomposes and produces methane, which is a GHG that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Presented below are the climate objectives and strategies that are designed to prevent materials from entering the landfill through source reduction and waste diversion actions such as reducing, reusing, composting, and recycling.

Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
W1
Implement SB 1383
requirements to divert organic
waste, reduce inorganic waste,
and procure compost.

Reduce community-wide landfilled
organics 75% by 2025 and maintain,
apply 600 tons of compost to land areas
throughout the community
Reduce all community-wide landfilled
waste by 90%, apply 659 tons of compost
to land areas throughout the community
W2 Eliminate single use plastics
Achieve zero plastic waste in municipal
operations
Achieve zero plastic waste in the
community
W3
Promote waste diversion
through home composting,
reducing, reusing, and recycling
Reduce all waste by 35% Reduce all waste by 90% by 2040 Priority Update Strategy Description
W.1.1
Refined
WC3
from
2016 CAP
Require residential and commercial
organic waste collection through updated
waste hauler contracts
Update franchise agreement with waste hauler to include curbside organics pickup for both food waste and yard waste (potentially already completed because of regulation
requirements), and continue to renew contract.

W1.2 New Form SB 1383 Partnerships
Establish partnerships with institutions and businesses who are major generators of food waste, track major updates and metrics for success annually.

W1.3
Refined
WC1
from
2016 CAP
Conduct Waste Characterization Studies
Conduct waste characterization studies every 4-5 years to inform programs and policies. Leverage study to understand the waste stream and create a plan to increase diversion and reduce contamination. Conduct outreach based on specific opportunities and needs identified through study.

OBJECTIVE 1: IMPLEMENT SB 1383 REQUIREMENTS TO DIVERT ORGANIC WASTE, REDUCE INORGANIC

WASTE, AND PROCURE COMPOST

Priority Update Strategy Description
W1.4 New
Seek funding for education and
implementation
Dedicate staff time to monitoring CalRecycle sources of funding for SB1383 implementation, including the SB1383 Local Assistance Grant Program and take advantage of
funding for organics diversion programs.

W1.5 New
Partner with institutions to implement
education campaigns
Partner with libraries and other existing facilities to market campaigns about waste reductions, reuse and repair.

W1.6 New Track metrics from waste haulers
Work with hauler to determine data necessary to meet zero waste goals and establish protocol for regular collection and reporting of associated metrics.

W1.7
Refined
WM1
from
2016 CAP
Create Sustainable Vendor Policy for
Public Events
Encourage recycling at major public events (including at schools) of cardboard, paper, containers, and food/organics.

Ensure provision of proper refuse containers and compliance with the Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance.
14 SOLID WASTE
OBJECTIVE 1: IMPLEMENT SB 1383 REQUIREMENTS TO DIVERT ORGANIC WASTE, REDUCE INORGANIC

WASTE, AND PROCURE COMPOST (CONTINUED)
GreenWaste, the Town's waste hauler,
engaging with residents.

Photo credit: Veronika Hsu
Atherton Library Maker Space can be a hub for fixit clinics, compost workshops, and more to get hands on to reduce waste.

Photo credit: Bruce Damonte
12 12

Priority Update Strategy Description
W1.8 New
Fulfill SB 1383 Compost Procurement
Requirement
Require City agencies to procure and apply compost
generated from municipal organic waste to the exterior of suitable facilities as part of their operations.

W1.9 New
Build Partnerships with Stakeholders who
Need Compost
Dedicate staff time to building partnerships with local growers and community green spaces to distribute compost and procure at scale, allowing for reduced procurement
costs.

W1.10 New
Catalyze County-Wide Strategy to Match
Compost Supply to Demand
Collaborate with San Mateo County Resource Conservation Program Compost Broker Program to comply with SB1383
compost procurement requirements; particularly remaining volume after strategies W-2.1 and W-2.2 have been
accomplished
W1.11 New
Explore and optimize best carbon
sequestration potentials for compost
application
Conduct study in collaboration with local organizations to determine highest carbon sequestration potential for
compost application in urban and peri-urban areas.

W1.12 New
Continue to research soil carbon
sequestration through partnerships
Conduct ongoing outreach to procurers of compost to
monitor soil carbon sequestration, partnering with local organizations and academic institutions
W1.13 New
Explore the potential for carbon credits for
compost application
Explore partnerships with accredited carbon credit verifiers and technology providers who can quantify and monetize
compost application credits.
7 SOLID WASTE
OBJECTIVE 1: IMPLEMENT SB 1383 REQUIREMENTS TO DIVERT ORGANIC WASTE, REDUCE INORGANIC

WASTE, AND PROCURE COMPOST (CONTINUED)
Meeting SB 1383 targets
through a Countywide
Compost Broker Program.

Left: Compost application
at Blue House Farms in San
Mateo County.

Right: Truck seen here is
applying compost in
Tunitas Creek late 2022.
15

Priority Update Strategy Description
W2.1
WM3
from
2016 CAP
Establish zero waste policy in
governmental operations
Add language to municipal procurement policy to choose
non-plastic alternatives whenever possible.

W2.2 New
Collaborate with Institutions that Procure
Large Volumes of Plastic
Work with institutions, especially Atherton schools to create model procurement policies to phase out single use plastics.

W2.3 New Increase bans on problem materials
Ban items without means of recycling or recycling markets, such as sale of polystyrene, produce bags, plastic packaging, straws and other foodware, plastics #4-7, mixed materials. 7 SOLID WASTE
OBJECTIVE 2: ELIMINATE SINGLE USE PLASTICS
OBJECTIVE 3: PROMOTE WASTE DIVERSION THROUGH HOME COMPOSTING, REDUCING, REUSING,

AND RECYCLING
Priority Update Strategy Description
W3.1 New Expand home composting
Explore bulk buying of home composting bins like
EarthMachines to support home composting, conducting a
multilingual education and outreach campaign to promote home composting. Track distribution of home composting
equipment and monitor usage over time.

W3.2 New Strengthen community composting
Dedicate staff time to coordinating network of community compost sites, setting a local diversion target. Community compost sites can serve as education hubs for communityscale composting.

W3.3 New
Leverage partnerships for food and
agriculture education
Partner with local schools, CBOs, and Food Corps Service Members to create local community compost hubs.

W3.4 New
Provide local Atherton opportunities for
reducing waste
Increase recycling of all materials by offering two
community recycling and/or donation events annually and promoting County Environmental Health's Household
Hazardous Waste Program.

W3.5
Refined
WM1 and
WM2
from
2016 CAP
Adopt a Environmentally Preferred
Purchasing Policy for Town Procurement
Require that Town procurement of goods and services
promote waste reduction and sustainability. Include
requirements for plant-based catering, recycled paper, and compost. Provide guidelines for public events. Require
vendors and Town Business Operators to follow the policy. 16

Priority Update Strategy Description
C1.1 New
Increase carbon sequestration through
tree planting
Develop and implement an Urban Forestry Master Plan by
2025.

C1.2 New Track data on tree health
Survey and collect data on existing trees, including tree maintenance and replacement
C1.3 New Maintain urban tree canopy
Dedicate staff time and resources to maintaining urban tree canopy (pruning, replacement, and preservation) based on data collected in CS-1.2.

The percent of carbon sequestration needed to offset emissions may vary based on Atherton's progress towards achieving carbon neutrality. If Town achieves the emission reduction strategies outlined in this plan, then there will remain less than a percent of emissions. If Atherton does not successfully implement all emissions reduction strategies, the percentage needed for carbon sequestration will be higher. Presented below are the climate objectives and strategies designed to sequester carbon and remove it from the atmosphere.

CARBON

SEQUESTRATION &

WATER USE
OBJECTIVE 1: INCREASE THE COMMUNITY'S TREE CANOPY
17 Objective 2030 Goal 2045 Goal
C1
Increase the community's tree
canopy
Plant 650 trees Plant 1,500 trees
C2
Explore carbon sequestration
opportunities in the community
Quantify and pursue opportunities
Carbon loads that can not be zeroed will be
offset by an array of carbon sequestration
approaches
C3
Reduce embodied carbon in
building materials
Achieve a 20% net reduction of GHG
emissions of building materials
Maintain or increase 40% reduction
(should be met by 2035 per AB 2446)
C4
Conserve water both in
landscaping and in buildings
Gallons used is less than State guidelines
per capita
Gallons used is less than State guidelines
per capita

CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND WATER USE
OBJECTIVE 2: EXPLORE CARBON SEQUESTRATION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY Priority Update Strategy Description
C2.1 New
Identify emergent carbon sequestration
opportunities
Conduct a carbon sequestration feasibility study by 2030 to identify urban and natural working lands opportunities and emergent technology for carbon sequestration within the community.

C2.2 New Identify carbon farming opportunities
Collaborate with the San Mateo Resource Conservation
District to identify carbon farming opportunities and other carbon sequestration opportunities within the community.

OBJECTIVE 3: REDUCE EMBODIED CARBON IN BUILDING MATERIALS OBJECTIVE 4: CONSERVE WATER IN BOTH LANDSCAPING AND IN BUILDINGS Priority Update Strategy Description
C3.1 New Study Embodied Carbon in Building Stock
Dedicate staff time to data collection of embodied carbon in existing building stock, and future highest value
opportunities for carbon sequestration in new construction.

Consider municipal procurement policies prioritizing
development of buildings that reach the embodied carbon requirements implied under AB 2446.

C3.2 New
Explore emergent embodied carbon pilot
projects
Explore pilot projects with companies working on embodied carbon materials including cross laminated timber, carbon capture cement, and others, publicizing pilot projects
Priority Update Strategy Description
C4.1
WTRC1
and
WTRC3
from
2016 CAP
Promote water conservation incentives
and inspire behavior change
Make concerted effort to promote and expand the
distribution of rebates for water efficient appliances and fixtures, rain barrels, irrigation system, and drought resistant landscapes to both residents and landscape professionals.

Educate on conservation mandates and encourage voluntary water conservation measures.

C4.2
WTRC2
from
2016 CAP
Adopt water conservation ordinance
Adopt, implement, and enforce the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency's (BAWSCA) Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance.
18

UNDERSTANDING OUR

CONSUMPTION
19 In this CAP, the Town's generation-based GHG inventory informs the proposed climate strategies. This measurement method includes 1) direct consumption of energy by residents, businesses, and government operations 2) consumption of energy via the electrical grid, and 3) emissions from the treatment/decomposition of waste. This is the industry-accepted methodology for quantifying community GHG emissions, with emissions reported by the emission source category.

Table: The 2023 CAP builds on the 2016 CAP to
achieve carbon neutrality from the generation-based
activities as defined in the orange table to the left.

Consumption that is not included in the generationbased inventory is not yet measured, but is being addressed in our planning efforts for the first time.

Examples of consumption are included in the third
column of the table.

Consumption-based Objectives
Sector Objective Ideas to Inspire Action
Transportation Decrease unnecessary air travel
Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing significant greenhouse gas emissions. Meet virtually, take a train, or skip that long-distance trip altogether. Taking one less long-haul return flight can reduce emissions by up to almost 2 tons of CO2e.

Food Reduce the emissions intensity of food
consumed
Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and less meat and dairy produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less energy, land, and water. Shop at local farmers' markets.

Purchased
Goods
Shift consumer spending from discretionary
goods to local recreational activities
Rather than gifting material goods, consider purchasing a County Parks Pass or tickets to a local show.

Purchased
Goods
Reduce the emissions intensity of consumer
goods Buy good manufactured locally or produced in a carbon neutral facility.

However, there are gaps in generation-based inventories. Consumption of goods and services (including food, clothing, electronics, and air travel) are not measured at the Town level. The County of San Mateo is beginning to track emissions from countywide consumption and has developed consumption-based objectives to achieve a carbon-neutral community. Consumption-based objectives included in this plan serve as an introduction to a new, holistic way of quantifying emissions. Our methods of tracking progress and taking action on these consumptionbased objectives will evolve. They are presented below as a way to paint the whole picture of the Town's climate impact, inspire individual behavior change, and serve as a foundation for future work to address how our consumption of goods and services impacts the climate.

20 LOOKING AHEAD TO IMPLEMENTATION
Finalize a Municipal Building Portfolio study to understand the timeline and cost for replacing and/or early retirement of natural gas equipment and develop an electrification plan for the buildings at Holbrook Palmer Park.

The Atherton Police will move to purchase electric vehicles.

Three patrol vehicles are already hybrids, four will be transitioning to electric when ready for replacement, and the remaining pursuit-rated fleet will be evaluated per the California Air Resources Board rule starting in 2024, we will need to have 50% of our vehicle purchases be electric and 100% by 2027.

The CAP provides an overarching, strategic framework for the Town of Atherton to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. It is critical that the Town's Climate Action Plan remains a living document, to be updated and adapted as new technology becomes available, as policies progress, and to reassess the carbon neutrality goal for opportunities to accelerate progress. Strategies within this report will be implemented in a phased approach and it will take the efforts of all Town employees, the Environmental Programs Committee, and community members to be successful. The implementation strategy includes further analysis of critical projects, establishing project timelines, and estimating associated cost. Town staff will start implementation with the following efforts:

Establish pathways for Atherton residents to access
regional technical assistance, rebates, and financing
programs including those offered by Home Energy
Analytics, Peninsula Clean Energy, and BayREN. Create a one-stop-shop experience for residents where they are able to get concierge and customizable support on their home electrification journey. Leverage model policies from
Peninsula Clean Energy and BayREN to encourage
electrification.

Offer compost at Holbrook Palmer Park year round for
residents to pick up and apply to their landscapes. Find opportunities for contractors to access pile or other SB 1383 compliant materials for larger remodels and new
construction projects.

Hone in on opportunities with Town operations Deepen Partnerships with local energy programs Expand Compost Giveaway Program
Create an inviting, data-driven climate action hub
custom for Atherton community members
Publish climate action plan data as an interactive
dashboard connecting the community's goals with tangible strategies that they can take. Curate programs, resources, and educational materials in one space that allows
residents to find exactly what they need to support their sustainability journey.

Continue to seek climate action planning funding and technical assistance from regional, state, federal, and philanthropic sources to support developing new community programs, upgrading infrastructure and equipment, and calculating annual GHG emissions inventories.

Pursue Funding and Assistance

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Error! No text of specified style in document.
1

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 2 Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Building on a Foundation ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Vision for a Better Future ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Benefits of Climate Action .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Highlights of this CAP or What’s New in This CAP..................................................................................................10 The Role of Equity....................................................................................................................................................10 How the CAP Came Together..................................................................................................................................11

3. Impacts of Climate Change...............................................................................................................................13 Climate Science 101 ................................................................................................................................................14 What’s Already Being Experienced..........................................................................................................................15 Future Projections ....................................................................................................................................................15 Impacts in San Mateo County and Atherton ............................................................................................................16 Financial Impact of Climate Change ........................................................................................................................25 The Goal...................................................................................................................................................................27 Carbon Neutrality .....................................................................................................................................................27

5. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission....................................................................................................................28 Generation-based GHG Inventory ...........................................................................................................................30 Carbon Sequestration ..............................................................................................................................................36 Consumption-based GHG Inventory........................................................................................................................37 Future Emissions .....................................................................................................................................................38 Reductions from State- and County-Level Actions ..................................................................................................40 Atherton’s Contribution to the Goal..........................................................................................................................40 Getting It Done: Managing the Strategy...................................................................................................................43 Better Together ........................................................................................................................................................43 Workforce Development...........................................................................................................................................46 Timeline....................................................................................................................................................................48 Implementation Budget ............................................................................................................................................48 Monitoring and Improvement ...................................................................................................................................49

8. Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................................51

9. Supplementary Findings ...................................................................................................................................53 A. Glossary of Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................54 B. Climate Change ...................................................................................................................................................55 C. Policy ...................................................................................................................................................................63 D. Best Practices for Community Collaboration and Sustainability Planning ..........................................................67 E. Partners ...............................................................................................................................................................71 F. Summary of Funding Sources .............................................................................................................................76 G. Adaptation Planning for Climate Impacts ............................................................................................................78

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Executive Summary
3 Executive Summary
Cities and Towns are on the front lines when it comes to climate change. This includes embracing clean technologies and voluntarily decarbonizing our communities. Atherton’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) establishes the goal of reducing carbon emissions at least 49 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, an interim step toward the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.

Atherton has already made significant progress in its climate action efforts. Between 2005 and 2019, Atherton reduced its emissions by 19,654 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalents (mtCO2e), a reduction of 27 percent below 2005 levels. In order to achieve at least a 49 percent reduction by 2030, Atherton would need to reduce total emissions by about 36,366 mtCO2e, significantly increasing the scale and speed of reductions. This “bending of the carbon curve” is essential to meeting the goal of carbon neutrality before 2045 and averting worsened climate change impacts.

To meet this goal, this CAP provides a roadmap to reduce emissions in four sectors: 1) energy, 2) transportation and land use, 3) solid waste, 4) and carbon sequestration and water conservation. The CAP identifies key actions or strategies that need to be accomplished within the next decade to stay on pace with achieving our goals.

This CAP also focuses on our municipal operations as well as issues and activities in the community, including how residents and institutions can contribute to Atherton’s emission reduction goals. It provides an ambitious, community-focused platform to advance policies that enhance quality of life and wellbeing, embrace smart city innovation and improve social equity. We engaged experts and community leaders to plan the best path forward for Atherton, and we hope you will join us on this journey.

Even if all emissions were eliminated today, we would still see climate change impacts in the future, including sea-level rise, hotter temperatures, and increased fire risk. Atherton understands the importance of laying out a framework for enhancing Atherton’s resilience to these impacts. This CAP describes the process Atherton will embark on to develop a climate change resiliency plan moving forward.

The community’s investment to support the CAP will be many times greater than Atherton’s own costs. Atherton will need to support residents’ and institutions’ efforts to find funding and motivation to decarbonize their buildings, vehicles, and lifestyles. At the same time, Atherton should discourage carbon-emitting activities through feebased systems or carbon taxes to shift community investment away from fossil fuels to clean technologies.

To ensure full implementation of the CAP, an interdepartmental team of Town staff, in collaboration with the Environmental Programs Committee, must be assembled to maintain momentum and ensure accountability. Staff will continue to provide annual progress reports, including greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, and will prepare an update to the CAP on a regular basis.

This CAP provides a pathway to accelerate our historical success. It is also a call to action to residents, community institutions to take an active part in our transition to a low-carbon future and clean economy. In this process, we will foster a vibrant economy, increase our resiliency, and support Atherton’s vision for a livable and sustainable community for all generations to come.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 4 Why a Climate Action Plan?
1 INTRODUCTION

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 5 The Town of Atherton is pleased to present an update to our 2016 Climate Action Plan (CAP). This document serves as a companion to the update providing technical information on climate science, Atherton’s emissions, and strategic planning. Our Town cannot solve the climate crisis alone. This Technical Appendix documents how Atherton plans to collaborate with our partners in county, state, and federal government, along with community organizations and local businesses, to create new programs, services, and policies that will support our community in taking actions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Building on a Foundation
Since the adoption of the inaugural CAP in 2016, the Town has committed to the process of implementing its 25 policies that address the range of GHG sources in our jurisdiction. This included a January 2017 prioritization process was recommended by the Town’s Environmental Programs Committee and approved by the City Council.

This focus staff on 16 priority measures designed to help us reach 78.4 percent of targeted GHG reductions by 2020 and 81.8 percent by 2030.

Since then, the Town has implemented a number of the CAP’s measures, including a shift to clean, renewable energy sources through Peninsula Clean Energy. After bringing on a Sustainability Coordinator in 2021 to help the process of implementing and monitoring progress, the Town prepared a November 2021 Status Report, which confirmed that the Town’s 2020 GHG reduction target had been met and set the stage for the 2023 CAP update.

As we make the next collective push toward a decarbonized future, the Town has more information and experience that can be used to refine the CAP and ensure that we help California reach a net zero environment within 22 years.

Adopted 2016
CAP
Prioritized
CAP
Measures
(2017)
Commitment
to Peninsula
Clean Energy
(2018)
Hired
Sustainability
Coordinator
(2021)
CAP Status
Report (2021)
CAP Update
(2023)
Carbon
Neutrality
(2045)

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 6 Vision for a Better Future
In 2045, our vision is to have a carbon neutral community.

All of our energy comes from renewable sources and is
reliable. Residents and institutions have converted
combustion sources to electrified power, helping
decarbonize our community. Mobility options are zero
carbon, shared and active, and congestion and air pollution are greatly reduced. Nearly all of our waste is reused, repurposed, or recycled. All community members have
reliable access to affordable, clean water.

We have created a culture of awareness and action. We
utilize smart city technology and principles to advance efficiency in our energy, water, waste, and transportation systems and infrastructure.

Environmental, economic, and social needs are considered and are in balance. Our prosperous economy and quality of life have benefited from this transformation. We are now connected, equitable, and resilient.

Benefits of Climate Action
Beyond the direct benefit of a more stable climate, many climate actions generate additional benefits, such as the ones listed below.

Public Health
Actions to mitigate climate change can improve air quality and physical and mental health, as well as access to healthy food.

Research suggests that living within 50 to 200 meters of major roadways can trigger asthma symptoms among adults and children and contribute to the development of asthma in children.1 Consequently, actions aimed at cutting gasoline consumption, reducing traffic congestion, taking vehicles off the road, and transitioning to an allelectric town vehicle fleet can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic and acute respiratory illnesses, cancer, and preterm births for those located near busy roads.

Actions that encourage active modes of transportation can reduce obesity and the risk of non-communicable diseases, improve mental health, and diminish the cost of public health services. Green infrastructure projects have been shown to increase recreational opportunities and physical fitness exercises such as dog walking or jogging.2
Denser, transit-oriented neighborhoods increase local access to essential services and nutritious food sources.

Increased intake of more climate-friendly foods, such as whole grains and vegetables, can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Adaptation actions that mitigate urban heat island effects, such as planting shade trees, lessen potential health risks to sensitive populations.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 7 Health benefits from climate action bring tangible healthcare savings as well. The cost of reducing CO2 emissions is less than the medical costs of treating the health effects of climate change.3 Enhanced Resilience
Actions that address climate change can also bolster resilience to other hazards.

A microgrid resiliency project at the Miller Community Center in Seattle is an early example of what are expected to be many upcoming projects that leverage solar and battery storage to provide relief during emergencies. The local energy utility (Seattle City Light) is partnering with the Seattle Parks and Recreation to install a battery energy storage system, solar panels, and microgrid controls. When the project is complete in mid-2020, the microgrid will generate power and provide backup power storage for the community center when the grid is down, such as unplanned power outages and emergency events.4
Climate actions also can enhance community cohesion – the networks of formal and informal relationships among neighbors that foster a mutually supporting community.
• One study showed a direct link between increased vegetation and use of outdoor spaces for social activity.5 • Another study found that even small amounts of greenery increased the safety of urban areas.6 • A survey of residents in many different types of neighborhoods found that the more that neighborhoods were walkable and neighbors knew each other, the more likely neighborhood residents were to participate politically, trust others, and be socially engaged.7
Reduced Traffic Congestion
Climate actions can reduce traffic congestion.

Cities such as New York, Stockholm, and London have implemented congestion pricing—charging tolls to travel in designated urban areas during peak travel times to reduce the volume of traffic. Locally, the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority are completing the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project—22 miles of express lanes on U.S.101 from the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County line to I-380 in South San Francisco. Slated to be complete in 2023, the project is designed to reduce traffic congestion and encourage carpooling and transit use on U.S. 101 in San Mateo County.8 Locally, we have secured grants that will help us advance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure on El Camino Real and Selby Lane.

Equity and Inclusion
Climate actions can foster a more equitable and inclusive community.

Town-driven climate action approaches have the potential to increase equity and inclusion in both the planning process as well as in long-term outcomes. To realize this promise, planners need to begin by considering how to integrate equity and inclusion from the very beginning of determining the CAP planning process. This should include partnering with socially vulnerable communities.

In Buffalo, N.Y., People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) used a Community Congress model to meaningfully engage residents in local planning efforts. This advanced their vision, priorities, and solutions. The

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 8 collective work of multiple partners resulted in development of a Green Development Zone that features green infrastructure, local food systems, affordable housing, and energy-efficient buildings.9 In San Mateo County, Peninsula Clean Energy partnered with Peninsula Family Service to offer incentives to enable low-income residents to purchase used electric vehicles with low mileage through the DriveForward10 program. Electric vehicles save owners money on fueling and maintenance costs and reduce GHG emissions.

The program is helping to increase EV ownership across the socioeconomic spectrum in San Mateo County.

Economic Stability and Growth
Climate actions can boost the local economy through local projects, programs, and jobs.

Investments in the construction, manufacturing, clean technology, green infrastructure, and civil engineering sectors not only provide businesses with opportunities for growth. They also create skilled, well-paying “green” jobs for the community. For example, many jobs in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector are in installation, maintenance, and construction—making them inherently local and influential to the local economy.

Cities can partner with workforce development organizations, business incubators, B-corporations, and green businesses to build a diverse workforce pipeline for these fields.

Studies have shown that energy efficiency investments create more jobs than those in fossil fuel industries—the estimate is approximately eight jobs per $1 million invested, compared to approximately three jobs per $1 million invested in fossil fuel industries.11 Investments in climate actions can also save Atherton money. A study by the University of California Transportation Center estimated that maintenance of electric vehicles (EVs) would cost only 50 percent to 75 percent of the average maintenance cost of a conventional vehicle.12 The sectors most likely to benefit from climate actions and policies are those related to household spending, such as housing, wholesale, and retail. Manufacturers of energy efficiency equipment and appliances and renewable energy generation equipment also benefit.13
Carbon Sequestration
Many actions that address climate vulnerability and risk also reverse emissions of GHGs into the atmosphere.

Shade trees absorb, or sequester, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Studies show that a young tree sapling can sequester anywhere from 1.0 to 1.3 pounds of carbon each year, while a 50-year-old tree can sequester over 100 pounds annually.14 Restoration of wetlands can both sequester carbon and be implemented in a way that may protect shoreline communities and habitats from sea-level rise and storm surge. Healthy soils on farmland also play an important role in absorbing carbon.

Actions to sequester carbon in trees, soils, and vegetation can minimize stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity of plants and animals. Biodiversity is critical to the health of the Town’s Holbrook Palmer Park and other open spaces. Natural area conservation protects natural resources and environmental features that sequester carbon, reduce stormwater runoff, promote infiltration, prevent soil erosion, and increase ecosystem biodiversity.

Municipalities with urban forests should consider end-of-life practices for trees to ensure the carbon embedded in the tree is maintained after a tree is cut down.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 9 2 CAP OVERVIEW

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 10 CAP Overview
Highlights of this CAP or What’s New in This CAP
Since our first climate action plan (CAP) was adopted in 2016, much has changed related to climate protection.

Consequently, this CAP includes the following updates and additions:
• Incorporates new global, state, and local policies and climate targets, including carbon neutrality. • Documents climate change impacts here in San Mateo County and previews what we need to plan for. • Documents our community partners and how we plan to work together to achieve our goals. • Addresses emissions from what we buy and consume in addition to emissions we generate here. • Provides more ways individuals and institutions can get involved. • Focuses on equity, or how to make sure everyone benefits, especially the most vulnerable members of our community.

The Role of Equity
We cannot address climate change without also addressing equity.

Commonly, climate change disproportionately threatens those who are the least responsible for generating pollution, the most vulnerable to its impacts, and the least able to adapt. This is true globally, and it is also true in Atherton. Many climate change impacts, such as health impacts, will disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations (see sidebar for the definition of “social vulnerability.”) That’s why the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors emphasized the need to take health, socio-economic, and racial equity into account in policymaking and climate solutions at all levels in their 2019 climate emergency declaration.15
According to Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), an international organization of local and regional governments, climate equity ensures that all people have the opportunity to benefit equally from climate solutions, while not taking on an unequal burden of climate impacts.16 Since greenhouse gas contribution typically increases with income17 – this CAP asks those more responsible for contributing GHG emissions to do more to reduce those emissions. Simultaneously, the CAP outlines ways to assist low-income community members in accessing carbon-free energy and technologies.

When all community members have the same ability to plan for and shape their futures, the result is a healthier and more resilient community.

However, achieving this vision requires hard work and intention. As Atherton implements the programs and policies that result from this CAP, we will continue to seek support and feedback from a diverse group of community stakeholders. Moving forward, Atherton will evaluate programs and policies using key performance metrics that encourage equitable engagement and impact. “The poorest half of the
global population are
responsible for only
around 10% of global
emissions yet live
overwhelmingly in the
countries most vulnerable
to climate change – while
the richest 10% of people
in the world are
responsible for around
50% of global emissions.”
—OXFAM International

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 11 What is “Social Vulnerability”?
This term refers to populations with greater vulnerability to climate impacts because of their social inequities, physical characteristics, or baseline conditions. These include, but aren’t limited to:
• Children and the elderly
• People with limited English proficiency
• Low-income communities
• Communities of color
• LGBTI and/or gender non-conforming community
members
• Undocumented immigrants
• Women
• Community members who practice a minority
religion
• Community members with limited education or
literacy
• Residents with unstable economic or housing
situations
• People with disabilities or physical and mental health conditions
• Outdoor workers and others whose workplace
conditions expose them to disproportionate risk,
including people in the informal workforce
• People whose housing conditions expose them to
disproportionate risk
• People who are disproportionately exposed to pollution and toxic hazards or natural hazards
• Community members without access to the internet or
phone service
• Transit-dependent populations
• Community members who face multiple areas of
vulnerability or intersectional vulnerability
How the CAP Came Together
This climate action plan (CAP) was developed in partnership with the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) and the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability through the San Mateo County Energy Watch program and its Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS) initiative. RICAPS is co-funded by C/CAG and PG&E.

RICAPS assists member jurisdictions and other interested local governments to develop climate action plans that are consistent with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, including both the CEQA Guidelines Amendments effective December 28, 2018, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)’s CEQA Air Quality Guidelines (updated April 2022). RICAPS tools include a Menu of Measures, forecasting tool, climate action plan template, and technical assistance from DNV GL, an environmental consultant. By combining resources, RICAPS promotes high-quality climate action plans that can be used to meet regulatory requirements and support planning efforts to reduce GHG emissions (ore information about these partners is found in Supplementary Findings E)
The template and Atherton’s climate strategy is based on the ICLEI ─ Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) 5-Milestone process.18 To ensure equity when developing the CAP, Atherton used the Equitable, Community-Driven Climate Preparedness Planning framework from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network as well as resources in Supplementary Findings D: “Best Practices for Community Collaboration and Sustainability Planning” as a guide.19

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 12 The diagram below shows the steps Atherton has taken so far to develop this CAP update (Steps 1 through 4).

Steps 5 and 6 will follow once the CAP is adopted (see details in Chapter 6: Implementation, Monitoring & Implementation section).

STEP 1
DATA

COLLECTION
• Collect data to gauge progress on the 2016 Climate Action Plan.

STEP 2

PROGRAM

EVALUATION
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to evaluate the efficacy of local, regional, and State programs needed to meet 2030 goals and beyond.

STEP 3

VISIONING
• Collaborate with community to determine the vision for the plan’s development. Including an understanding of unintended consequences of actions and potential impacts on equity in the alternatives analysis (i.e., creation of new inequities, or worsening, improvement, or neutral impacts on existing inequities).

STEP 4

PLAN UPDATE
• Refine and prioritize strategies to benefit communities and populations impacted by climate change and mitigate potential negative impacts. Amplify opportunities for enhancing co-benefits across sectors.

STEP 5

PLAN & PROJECT

IMPLEMENTATION
• Partner with community during implementation to reduce the risk of creating new inequities or worsening existing ones. Prioritize actions that focus on communities and populations with the greatest climate risk and geared towards addressing the contributing causes of increased climate risk. Improve data collection protocols to ensure progress can be measured.

STEP 6

MONITORING
& REVIEW
• Monitor and review plan implementation to ensure that actions are implemented as planned and with the desired outcomes. Engage community in monitoring to help maintain accountability through the Environmental Programs Committee. Update strategies in collaboration with the community based on information gathered regarding implementation, outcomes, and feedback from stakeholders. Share data and information regarding ongoing monitoring of the plan’s implementation and outcomes with the community.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 13

3. Impacts of Climate Change
3 IMPACTS OF

CLIMATE CHANGE

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 14 Impacts of Climate Change on Atherton
Climate Science 101
Climate change presents one of the most significant challenges of our time. As levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increase in the atmosphere, the Earth’s climate system is being destabilized. GHG emissions are invisible, and include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and three man-made gasses:
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

As more greenhouse gasses are trapped inside the Earth’s atmosphere, more of the sun’s energy is trapped as heat, which means temperatures keep getting hotter. In fact, the world has already become nearly 1°F warmer since 1880, and we’re seeing extreme consequences because of it, including more intense storms, greater wildfire risk, and rising sea levels.

Although we’re already seeing impacts of climate change, there’s a range of how relatively mild or devastating the future impacts might be, depending on how aggressively we take action to address it (see Chapter 3: Impacts of Climate Change, Future Projections section). Scientists have laid out four pathways, or scenarios, based on future levels of GHG emissions. The pathways range from the very optimistic to the highly pessimistic. The strategies laid out in this CAP are in alignment with the most optimistic pathway. For more information about the four pathways, see Supplementary Findings B.4.

The Earth Has a Fever
Atmospheric scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe has a simple way to explain the impact of rising global temperatures: “When we say the planet is warming by one or two or three degrees Celsius, often we think, ‘Well, that's nothing.’ But if our body’s temperature goes up one and a half to three or even four degrees Fahrenheit, we are running a fever. We go to the doctor. If it was three or four degrees, we go to the hospital. And that's what's happening to our planet. It is running a fever. And that fever is affecting us.”
—Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Professor and Director,
Climate Science Center, Texas Tech University

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 15 What’s Already Being Experienced
Climate change has already affected and will continue to affect San Mateo County and Atherton.

Climate change will have many different effects on society and on the natural world. Plant and animal species are adapting to changing environments by migrating to new areas. As species move, they bring diseases with them to farms and human populations. Some species become extinct due to either human-caused climate change or to human activities such as habitat destruction or toxic pollution.

The region’s annual maximum temperature increased 1.7°f from 1950-2005.

Coastal fog, which is critical to the region’s climate and ecosystems, is less frequent than ever before.

Sea level has risen over 8 inches in the last century.

The forceful 2015-2016 El Niño weather pattern, which was one of the three largest in history, resulted in unprecedented outer coast beach erosion due to winter wave energy that was more than 50% greater than a typical winter.

The 2012-2016 statewide drought led to the most drastic moisture shortages in the last 1,200 years, resulting in a 1-in-500-year low in Sierra snowpack. This drastically reduced snowpack resulted in $2.1 billion in economic losses, 21,000 jobs lost statewide in agricultural and recreational sectors, and a continuing exhaustion of groundwater sources.

Future Projections
Even if considerable efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are conducted, San Mateo County will likely see substantial temperature increases by 2050. By 2100, temperature rise will be dependent on the emissions scenario. (For more information about the four emissions scenarios, see Supplementary Findings B.4.) Precipitation in San Mateo County will continue to vary each year. The differences between wet and dry years are projected to become more extreme and damaging in the coming decades. If no action is taken to combat climate change, the Sierra snowpack, a critical source of water for the State, will decrease by an average of 64 percent by the end of the century.20
As temperature continues to increase, it is anticipated to cause longer and more intense California droughts, posing major problems for government operations, water supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and recreation.

Studies suggest that even with significant emissions reductions, it is inevitable that there will be at least 6 feet of sea-level rise over the next several centuries due to the delayed effects of climate change.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 16 Impacts in San Mateo County and Atherton
Following are some of the key climate impacts that San Mateo County and Atherton have already seen and will likely see in the future.

Rising Temperatures
The Bay Area’s average annual maximum temperature increased by 1.7°F (0.95°C) from 1950 to 2005. Even with significant efforts to mitigate climate change, the Bay Area will likely see annual mean warming of approximately 3.3°F by mid-century and as much as 4.4°F under the highemissions scenario. By the end of the century, temperatures could rise by

4.2°F to 7.2°F.22
Extreme heat events occur when air temperatures reach or exceed 100°F.

Across San Mateo County, air temperatures are expected to increase by an average of 5°F between 1995 and 2070 due to climate change. In the baseline year of 1995, approximately nine percent of the people in vulnerable communities in the county were at risk from the impacts of more than two high heat days per year. By 2030, nearly three times as many people will be at risk. By 2070, four times as many will be at risk. The greatest increases in the number of high heat days from 1995 to 2070 are projected to occur in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City.

The Climate Ready SMC Web Visualization Tool is an interactive website designed to provide an enhanced understanding of how a changing climate will impact our community (https://www.smcsustainability.org/climateready). The maps below demonstrate how the tool can be used to identify how projected high heat events in 2030 and 2070 could impact areas in Atherton.

Impacts
on people
Climate change could have broad impacts to communities and people – hitting those most vulnerable first and worst. High levels of socioeconomic inequity in the bay area create large differences in the ability of individuals to prepare for and recover from heat waves, floods, and wildfires.

Direct effects include a broad spectrum of heat-related diseases, ranging from heat exhaustion to heat stroke to death, and injuries and fatalities that result from severe weather. Indirect effects of climate change on human health arise from the connection of climate and weather conditions with health responses. Examples include air pollution, pollen and allergens, decreases in water quality and more extensive harmful algal blooms, and changes in supply of water and food.

Impact of Heat on People
In a heat wave, the most dangerous
places can be the ones where people
spend the most time: inside houses and
apartments. In poorly insulated
buildings, heat can build up and not
even dissipate at night. In 2018, a KQED
investigation found that bay area homes
without air conditioning were as much as
15 to 20 degrees hotter inside than
outside overnight.21
These risks are compounded for lowincome communities. A September 2017 Bay Area heat wave overwhelmed the
protective and social infrastructure in
San Francisco, resulting in 6 deaths and
38 hospitalizations. Members of socially
vulnerable communities may not be able
to afford to cool their work or living
spaces or may be forced to choose
between air conditioning and paying for
basic necessities (e.g., food and rent).

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 17 Figure 1: Number of High Heat Days in Atherton for 2070 Only 10 percent of homes in the Bay Area currently have air conditioning.23 Warming trends across San Mateo County are expected to cause more people to install and use air conditioning, resulting in an increase in GHG emissions. The largest increase in summer energy demand is expected in coastal cities as air conditioning adoption grows.

The amount and location of new air conditioning needed can be predicted through a metric called “cooling degree days” (CDD). This value quantifies how much the air temperature exceeds 65°F on a single day or period of days.

As the temperature rises above 65°F outside, occupants inside get increasingly uncomfortable and will typically turn on air conditioning if it is available, so a larger CDD indicates a higher likelihood of increased energy consumption to cool homes and businesses.

In some San Mateo County communities, CDDs are projected to double or triple between present day and 2070.

It is projected that the southeast, central-east, and coastal areas of the county will be impacted most dramatically, with the greatest percentage increases expected to occur in Pacifica, Daly City, and Brisbane Quarry. By 2070, the number of CDDs in Daly City will have nearly increased to the number of CDDs in North Fair Oaks in the baseline year of 1995.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 18 Figure 2. Average Cooling Degree Days (CDD) by Jurisdiction Figure 3. Average Cooling Degree Days (CDD) in [Community], Year 2070 The map above illustrates the projected average number of CDDs in San Mateo County in 2070.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 19 Sea-Level Rise
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the top hotspots for sea-level rise in the nation. Average sea level in the Bay Area has risen 8 inches in the past 100 years, based on the San Francisco tide gauge.25 In 2018, the County of San Mateo finalized a Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment26 for the County in coordination with cities, agencies, businesses, community groups, and others. Sea-level rise impacts include flooding, increased wave action, rising groundwater tables and saltwater intrusion, increased erosion (i.e., landward shoreline retreat) and changes in sediment supply.

The economic value of San Mateo County property at risk from sea-level rise exceeds that of any other county in the Bay Area. The assessed value of parcels in the study area exposed to near-term (present-day) flooding exceeds $1 billion, and the assessed value of parcels exposed to erosion and flooding in the long term (50 to 100 years) totals roughly $39.1 billion.

In addition, the built and natural infrastructure meant to protect people and properties from flooding could be lost or severely affected, including more than 7,000 acres of wetlands (over 80 percent of all wetlands assessed) and as much as 24 miles of floodwalls and levees.

When population projections are taken into account, San Mateo County is one of six counties with more than 100,000 people in the nation (and the only one on the West Coast) that will be affected by three feet of sea-level rise.

Figure 4: Projected Sea-Level Rise (3.3 feet and 1 percent Annual Chance Storm) and Erosion
Impact of Sea-Level Rise and
Flooding on People
Sea-level rise will have consequences
for public health because health facilities
will be affected and access to
emergency medical services could be
impaired. Flood events can lead to
physical injury, illness, or disease (e.g.,
vector-borne diseases such as west Nile
virus), and they can also cause loss of
income and disruption of employment.

Flooding will impact people who rely on
public transportation. Of the 1,979 bus
stops in the county, 252 bus stops are
currently located within the 1 percent
flood zone. In 2030, 1,536 of the bus
stops located within the county
boundaries would be within the 1
percent flood zone, which is a 500
percent increase from present
conditions. In 2070, 1,592 of the bus
stops located within county boundaries
would be within the 1 percent flood zone,
which is an increase of about 4 percent
from 2030.24

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 20 (4.5 feet and 1 percent Annual Chance Storm) - San Mateo County Shoreline27 The model projects that a flood with a one percent chance of occurring will affect a slightly greater area in 2070 than in 2030. The impacts of flooding will worsen over time and have substantial impacts on public transit infrastructure and therefore, the communities that rely on it.

In addition to directly affecting properties, sea-level rise can also have a substantial impact on mobility due to delays in travel times and risks to transportation infrastructure such as electrical transfer stations and EV charging areas. El Niño events have the potential to exacerbate the effects of sea-level rise by increasing water levels by as much as one foot above normal, and, on average create 30 percent larger winter wave energy.

In 2018 the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) released updated Sea-Level Rise Guidance, which uses “probabilistic-based”a projections and lays out an approach for developing adaptation strategies. The OPC recommends using the projections included in Figure 5, below. Low-risk projections should be used for short-lived infrastructure that is readily adaptable, such as trails. Medium-risk projections should be used for less adaptive, more vulnerable projects such as housing developments. Extreme risk projections should be used for larger and more complex infrastructure projects such as roads, wastewater treatment plants, and hazardous waste sites. a
Probabilistic-based projections “associate a likelihood of occurrence (or probability) with sea-level rise heights and rates and are directly tied to a range of emissions scenarios.”18

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 21 Figure 5: San Francisco 2018 Probabilistic Sea-Level Rise Projections28 In 2019 the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted a Sea-Level Rise Policy for County-Owned Assets, requiring all new and existing facilities to consider and plan for sea-level rise impacts. Sea-level rise impacts include higher permanent and flood water levels, erosion, and rising groundwater levels.

Increased Fire Risk
Fire risk reflects accumulation of wood or fuels in a forest combined with changes in the length and frequency of the fire season due to warmer climate, changing precipitation, lower humidity, higher winds, and soil drying from droughts. Fire suppression in the area has increased as fuel reserves have built up in unmanaged forests and woodlands. While wildfires in San Mateo County have not historically been extensive, recent models of wildfire risk and climate change show hotspots in the middle of the county.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfire events impacting San Mateo County. Wildfires can claim lives, destroy property, force mass evacuations, and expose large populations to unhealthy levels of smoke for days to weeks at a time.

Between 1995 and 2030, the model projects an increased risk of wildfire in San Mateo County from nine to 13.4 percent. In addition, by 2070, the projected burn area nearly doubles to 25 percent. Simulations of large wildfires using statistical models developed for the Fourth California State Climate Assessment29 show that the probability of a large fire—which burns more than 1,000 acres – in San Mateo County increases rapidly with a warming climate, with an eight-fold increase in the probability of a large wildfire by 2070. By 2070, the chance that large wildfires or those over 1,000 acres will occur increases to 4 percent per year.

Figure 6 shows the areas that are most at risk of wildfire in the future.

The “average percent burned area” is the percentage of a designated area that is projected to burn over two 30-year periods centered around 2030 and 2070.

Impact of Wildfires and Poor Air
Quality on People
Most Californians are not aware of
recent statistics that suggest that
California is home to the worst air quality
in the nation, with over 90 percent of
Californians breathing unhealthy air.

According to the California air resources
board, unhealthy levels of ozone (smog)
and particulate matter annually
contribute to 19,000 premature deaths
and 9,400 hospital admissions for
respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

Wildfires exacerbate the air quality
problems, causing temporary large
increases in outdoor airborne particles,
and substantial increases in gaseous air
pollutants such as carbon monoxide.

Socially vulnerable residents may be
more affected by wildfires if they have
existing health issues, less access to
social services and internet, and fewer
economic resources to respond.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 22 Figure 6: Average Percent Burned Area in Atherton for 2070 Increased Frequency and Intensity of Storms
The Bay Area’s largest winter storms will likely become more intense, and potentially more damaging, in the coming decades.

Flooding is a substantial threat in San Mateo County and is expected to increase as a result of climate change. According to flood modeling that integrates the impacts of sea-level rise and inland flooding throughout the County, a flood with a one percent chance of occurring in 2030 would increase to a two percent chance of occurring under 2070 climate conditions. The higher probability of extreme flooding means that creeks and municipal storm sewers are more likely to be overwhelmed, potentially resulting in damage to infrastructure and even loss of life. The largest individual storms are becoming more intense with climate change. In addition, more frequent “whiplash” events that swing from extremely dry to extremely wet conditions in California could become the new normal. These will heighten the need to expand and fortify the Town’s storm water infrastructure, especially along the major arterial of El Camino Real.

Decreased Availability and Quality of Water
The 2012-2016 California drought led to the most severe moisture deficits in the last 1,200 years and a 1-in-500-year low in Sierra snowpack. The record low snowpack resulted in $2.1 billion in economic losses and exacerbated an ongoing trend of ground water overdraft.30 While the total amount of precipitation in the Bay Area is not projected to change significantly (models project an additional 2 to 5 inches), the amount and timing of water available as drinking water may change. Under a high emissions scenario, average Sierra Nevada snowpack is projected to decline by nearly 20 percent in the next two to three decades, 30 percent to 60 percent in mid-century and by over 80 percent in late century.31 Rising bay water and groundwater levels will also increase salinity intrusion and subsurface flooding

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 23 inland. Climate change will require improved storm water management in the Bay Area as extreme storm events increase in size and frequency.

Decreased Fog
Coastal fog, critical to the Bay Area climate, has decreased as much as 33 percent in some areas over the past 60 years.32 Across the state of California, fog is expected to decline by an additional 12-20 percent by 2070.33 In addition to being affected by changes in local and global atmospheric patterns due to climate change, fog is reduced in urban areas due to urban land use and pollution.

Warmer nighttime temperatures, as a result of impervious surfaces and the urban heat island effect, can reduce fog, highlighting the importance of land use policies and urban tree canopies in maintaining fog cover, and thus lowering temperatures. Our plants and wildlife in San Mateo County depend on fog and redwood forests obtain as much as a third of their water from fog.

Increased Impact on Energy Systems
The Bay Area electrical grid is vulnerable to power outages during wind and wildfire events such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) – planned power outages to prevent occurrences of electrical equipment starting wildfires.34 Many of our natural gas pipelines are located along waterways and will be impacted by flooding from sea-level rise and extreme storm events. California’s transportation fuel sector, which distributes oil from refineries to end users, will be increasingly exposed to extreme weather events such as flooding and wildfire.

As severe weather has increased the instability of the electrical grid, Atherton residents have turned to energy alternatives, including installation of photovoltaic solar panels and battery backup systems that provide energy at the hyperlocal level. These infrastructure improvements both add clean, renewable energy capacity to the electrical grid while providing backup when the grid is strained or out.

Over the past four years, over nine percent of Atherton residents and institutions have installed photovoltaic solar systems, with over 350 backup battery panels that are clear indicators of a shift to an electrified economy through a decentralizing of the power grid’s sources.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 24 0 20
40 60
80 100
120
2019 2020 2021 2022
Shifting to Electric Power
Car Charger Locations Photovoltaic Locations Number of Backup Batteries

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 25 Financial Impact of Climate Change
As climate-related natural disasters become more frequent and intense, costs for disaster response and relief are anticipated to increase. With flooding, storms, droughts, wildfires, and other climate-related natural disasters becoming more common, flood insurance and flood prevention costs will grow.35 Climate change is anticipated to impact public buildings, storm water infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, community services, and land-use planning and development. Climate damage to homes and businesses could negatively impact the economy and reduce Atherton’s income from property and sales taxes, not to mention damage the quality of life for all community members.

If Atherton allocates resources and invests in climate-protecting strategies now, it will be insurance against some of the costliest effects of a hotter planet in the future.

Working with the San Mateo County Health System
The San Mateo County Health System, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control, serves a number of functions to reduce health risks related to climate change. These include informing cities about the risk to public health from climate change, creating tools that support decision-making and capacity building related to mitigating adverse health outcomes from climate change, and serving as a credible leader in planning for the public health impacts of climate change. Atherton intends to work with the San Mateo County Health System to mitigate public health dangers and maintain or improve long-term health by encouraging residents and workers to be part of the solution.

Research shows that individuals who live in mixed-use and walkable communities have a 35 percent lower risk of obesity.36 Another study estimates that the walking associated with transit use saves an individual $5,500 over the course of their life by reducing obesity-related medical costs.37 Atherton and the San Mateo County Health System will support programs that promote more walkable and bikeable cities, which not only promote healthier lifestyles, but also decrease reliance on vehicles that contribute to climate change.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 26 4 GOALS AND

TARGETS

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 27 Goals and Targets
The Goal
To put California on the path to a low-carbon future, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the Climate Change Scoping Plan in 2008. The plan directed the State to reach 1990 emissions levels by 2020.

Municipal governments were asked to reduce their emissions by at least 15 percent by 2020 compared with current levels (2008 levels or earlier). This prompted many cities to adopt community-wide emissions reduction targets of at least 15 percent below 2005 levels. CARB adopted an update in December 2022 that calls for cutting carbon emissions 48 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and reducing oil use by 94 percent from 2022 levels by 2045.

In 2015, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-30-15 to set the 2030 emissions target (40 percent less than 1990 levels by 2030). It was codified by California Senate Bill 32 (SB 32). CARB followed up with an updated California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan.38 In response, Atherton is joining other municipalities in adopting community-wide emissions reduction targets of at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

In September 2018, Governor Brown issued California Executive Order B-55-18, setting the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 at the latest, and maintaining net negative net emissions from that point forward. The following year, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors committed to achieving carbon neutrality well before 2045.39 With this CAP, Atherton commits to working with the County and other local governments in San Mateo County to reach the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. In September 2022, the Governor signed AB 1279, which creates a legally binding goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

Carbon Neutrality
The basic definition of carbon neutrality is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to zero – and then “offsetting” an equivalent amount of any remaining emissions. This carbon neutrality target is based on the Paris Agreement which calls for preventing average global temperature from rising more than 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to keep warming below 1.5°C (2.7°F). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), holding temperature rise below 1.5°C will mean global emissions of CO2 will need to decline 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. U.S. cities that have adopted aggressive targets of reducing emissions by 80 to 100 percent by 2050 or sooner include Boulder, Minneapolis, New York City, Portland, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Palo Alto’s goal is an 80 percent reduction by 2030, and Menlo Park has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.

Governor Brown’s 2018 executive order called on CARB to develop an implementation framework and accounting to track progress over time.40 In particular, this framework needs to address how to account for the embodied emissions in the food, goods, and services we purchase that aren’t covered by generation based GHG inventories (See Chapter 5: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories for more information). While Atherton will await State guidance on how to account for these emissions reductions, we will work to reduce consumption-based emissions in the meantime (See Chapter 6: Strategies & Actions, Food and Consumption section for specific strategies).

Meanwhile, AB 1279 created a legally binding goal that California achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. It also requires the State to reduce GHG emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 28

5. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission
5 GREENHOUSE GAS
(GHG) EMISSIONS

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 29 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Inventories
In this CAP, we used two types of GHG emissions inventories to inform the proposed climate action strategies:

1. Generation-based GHG inventory – This measurement method helps us understand the level of emissions based on energy use. It includes 1) direct consumption of energy by XXX, 2) consumption of energy via the electrical grid, and 3) emissions from the treatment/decomposition of waste. This is the industry-accepted methodology for quantifying community GHG emissions, with emissions reported by emission source category.

2. Consumption-based GHG inventory – This measurement method helps us understand the level of emissions based on consumption. It offers an alternative, more holistic, approach for quantifying emissions within a community, quantifying consumption of goods and services (including food, clothing, electronic equipment, etc.) by residents of a city, with emissions reported by consumption category.

This CAP discusses using both of these inventory methods, which are reviewed in the following sections.

Figure 7: Overlap Between Generation-based and Consumption-based GHG Inventories41

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 30 Generation-based GHG Inventory
Atherton’s first generation-based inventory was completed for 2005 (the baseline year). Beginning in 2010, new community GHG inventories are completed annually, enabling Atherton to track progress over time.

In 2019, Atherton emitted an estimated 53,078 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from the residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, waste, and municipal sectors.b In comparison to the base year of 2005, that is a 27 percent decrease in total community emissions.

As shown in Figure 8 and Table 1, the two largest categories of emissions are transportation (including highway travel, local travel, and off-road equipment) and building energy use (including residential and commercial/industrial).

The residential and commercial/industrial sectors represent emissions that result from electricity generation and the burning of natural gas used in both private and public sector buildings and facilities. The transportation sector includes emissions from the burning of gasoline and diesel in private, commercial, and fleet vehicles driven within the City’s geographical boundaries, as well as the emissions from public transit vehicles and the City-owned fleet.

Off-road equipment includes lawn, garden, construction, industrial, and commercial equipment. Figure 8 shows the proportion of Atherton’s total GHG emissions from all major sources for 2019. b Carbon dioxide equivalent is a unit of measure that normalizes the varying climate warming potencies of all six GHG emissions, which are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). For example, one metric ton of methane is equivalent to 21 metric tons of CO2e. One metric ton of nitrous oxide is 210 metric tons of CO2e.

FIGURE 8: COMMUNITY EMISSIONS BY SECTOR: 2019

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 31 Table 1: 2005 vs. 2019 Community Emissions by Sector
Sector 2005 GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2019 GHG Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent Change in Emissions
(%)
Residential 31,608 24,324 -23%
Commercial/Industrial 6,247 4,670 -25%
Transportation – Local Roads 24,256 14,367 -41%
Transportation – State
Highways 6,569 5,434 -17%
Transportation – Off-road
Equipment 2,057 2,012 -2%
Generated Waste 1,923 1.417 -26%
Other 72 854
TOTAL 72,732 53,078 -27%
As shown in Table 1, Atherton’s GHG emissions have declined over time—27 percent since 2005. Major contributors of this decline include a 41 percent reduction in emissions from the transportation sector (local roads) and the residential sector. This 27 percent reduction is a good start, but Atherton will have to greatly increase its emission reduction rate in order to achieve at least 50 percent by 2030 and carbon neutrality well before 2045 goals.

Emissions are described by category below.

Electricity and Natural Gas Emissions
In 2019, electricity and natural gas emissions accounted for 55 percent of total GHG emissions in Atherton.

Atherton’s total stationary energy consumption (electricity and natural gas consumed by residential, commercial, and industrial buildings) was 67,762,369 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 4,556,691 therms of natural gas, including municipal operations and direct access electricity customers. Direct access is when an end-use customer buys electricity on the wholesale electricity market, rather than from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) or Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE).

Of the total 28,994 MT CO2e emitted due to energy use in buildings, natural gas accounts for a greater portion (94 percent) of total emissions than electricity (6 percent).

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 32 Figure 9: Building GHG Emissions by Sector and Fuel Type

The emissions per kWh of electricity generated (the emission factor) can vary considerably from year to year and can depend on the provider of electricity (e.g., PCE, PG&E, and direct access providers). For example, in 2017, PG&E’s emission factor was 210 lbs CO2/MWh, PCE’s ECOplus (50 percent renewable) emission factor was 142 lbs CO2/MWh, and PCE’s ECO100 (100 percent renewable) emission factor was 0 lbs CO2/MWh.

Over time, emissions associated with each kilowatt hour of electricity generation in California have continued to decline as the grid relies less on fossil fuel power generation sources, including coal and natural gas, and more on renewable power generation sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower.

In Atherton, natural gas accounted for 40 percent of building emissions in 2019, while electricity accounted for nine percent of building emissions. By 2019, energy emissions in Atherton had decreased 23 percent from 2005 levels.

Figure 10: Atherton 2010-2017 Building Emissions by Fuel Type 0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Emissions (MT CO2e)
Electricity Natural Gas

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 33 With the launch of Peninsula Clean Energy, which has a stated target of all electricity sales being 100 percent GHG-free by 2021, and the State’s requirement through Senate Bill 100 (SB 100) that utilities procure 100 percent of electricity through renewable resources by 2045, the percent of building emissions associated with electricity will only continue to decline.

The State of California remains a leader in implementing policies aimed at reducing water consumption. Assembly Bill 1668 (AB 1668) and Senate Bill 606 (SB 606), adopted in 2018, require urban water providers to establish a target for water use by 2022 and threatens fines for agencies failing to meet their goals beginning in 2027.

Standards will be based on an allowance of 55 gallons per person per day for indoor water use, a to-bedetermined amount of residential outdoor use, and a standard for water loss due to leak rates in water system pipes.

Connection Between Energy and Water Use
Energy and water use are linked. Energy is needed to transport and to treat water, treat wastewater, and heat domestic hot water in homes and businesses across California. Approximately 20 percent of California’s electricity and approximately 30 percent of natural gas used by homes and businesses across the state is dedicated to pumping, treating, and heating water. Figure 14 indicates the 10 percent of energy used to transport and treat water; energy used to heat water is distributed among the various customers.

Figure 11: Energy (Electricity and Natural Gas) Used by the Water Sector in California42

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 34 Transportation Emissions
In 2019, transportation emissions from burning gasoline and diesel accounted for 42 percent of total GHG emissions in Atherton. Gas and diesel-powered vehicles traveling on local roads accounted for 64 percent of transportation emissions; those traveling on state highways within city limits accounted for 24 percent; and gasoline and diesel emissions from off-road equipment, such as lawn, garden, and construction equipment, accounted for 12 percent.

Figure 11: On-road Transportation Emissions by Road Type As of 2019, electric vehicles made up 7.8 percent of total new car sales in California.43 There were 566,902 battery electric vehicles on the road as of that year – 1.06% of the total vehicles on the road in California.44 Efficiency of gasoline and diesel vehicles, in terms of miles per gallon (MPG), continues to increase. For model year 2017, the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States reached 24.9 MPG – a record high.45 However, addressing the third component, reducing VMT, is considerably more difficult than the previous two. Californians have driven more and more miles per year over the past five decades. Figure 16 demonstrates the growth in VMT within Atherton between 2005 and 2017. Figure 17 shows gasoline sales for cities in San Mateo County. (Data was accessed from https://www.coltura.org/gasoline-sales-volumes.Only cities with complete data are shown. Because of incomplete data for 2014, that year was eliminated from the graph.) We plan to monitor if efforts to reduce miles driven in gasoline vehicles results in a reduction of gasoline sales over time.

Figure 12: Atherton 2005-2017 Total VMT and Vehicle Efficiency

0.00 0.10

0.20 0.30

0.40 0.50
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
MT CO2e/1,000 VMT
Million VMT/Year
MT CO2e/1,000 VMT Total VMT

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 35 Figure 13: San Mateo County 2009 – 2019 Gasoline Sales
Solid Waste Emissions
In 2019, waste sector emissions accounted for three percent of total GHG emissions in Atherton. 1,417 tons of solid waste were sent to landfills.

Waste emissions result from organic material decomposing in the anaerobic conditions present in a landfill and releasing methane (CH4) – a GHG 28 times more potent than CO2. Organic materials (e.g., paper, plant debris, food waste) generate methane within the anaerobic environment of a landfill while non-organic materials (e.g., metal, glass, etc.) do not. Table 2 shows the approximate breakdown of the materials Atherton sent to landfills in 2019. Materials that do not release GHGs as they decompose are included in the “Non-organic Material” category.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 36 Table 2: Estimated Waste Composition46
Waste Type Waste Share
Non-organic Material 60.5%
Organic Material 39.5%
Corrugated Containers 6.4%
Newspaper 0.7%
Office Paper 0.4%
Mazagines/Third Class Mail 0.4%
Food Scraps 13.9%
Grass 1.2%
Leaves 1.2%
Branches 4.6%
Lumber/Wood/Pallets 10.8%

Carbon Sequestration
Our forests and oceans are natural carbon sinks, each
absorbing 25 percent47 of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.c The process of capturing and storing this atmospheric carbon is known as carbon sequestration, and it is a strategy that – when combined with other efforts – can help combat climate change. A nonprofit organization called Project Drawdown specifically recommends 25 solutions based on
using carbon sinks to reduce the impacts of climate change.48 It’s not yet clear what role carbon sequestration will have in Atherton’s climate action strategy, but it’s something Atherton will evaluate and support moving forward in order to reduce any emissions that remain after implementing the 61 strategies included in the 2023 update.

There are several processes that can capture and store carbon:
• Biological Sequestration: The process of planting trees and other vegetation in forests, grasslands, and rangelands. Reforestation is one of the cheapest sequestration processes and helps support biodiversity. In our cities, encouraging residents, businesses, and parks to maintain or plant new trees can help to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Biochar: This process involves the burning of organic materials to create biochar, a compound that can hold carbon for long periods, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere as it degrades. Research shows that biochar will not break down for at least 100 years and possibly up to 1,000 years.49 This type of carbon sequestration may be a solution for landfill and wastewater treatment applications. c A healthy ocean has what is known as positive and negative “flux;” the former when CO2 from the ocean is released into the atmosphere, and the latter when CO2 is absorbed. Today, in large part due to human activity, the oceans absorb more CO2 than they release. It is projected that by 2100, the oceans will be a CO2 sink. The increase of CO2 from fossil fuels is significantly impacting the acidity of the ocean, ultimately affecting not only the sea life, but also the air we breathe.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 37 • Biogas: A methane and carbon dioxide gas produced from anaerobic digestion of agriculture waste products, landfills, and wastewater systems. Biogas can be used for heating, electricity, or transportation fuel; it is currently widely used in wastewater treatment plants in California. • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS is a three-part process that involves capturing carbon dioxide, transporting the carbon dioxide, and storing it underground typically through geologic sequestration. • Geologic Sequestration: Carbon is captured and injected into underground rock formations for long-term or permanent storage.
• Technological Sequestration: Scientists are working to develop new and innovative ways to capture carbon. Some technologies are looking at capturing carbon directly from the air. Other potential technologies include repurposing carbon for use in other technologies. • Trees End of Life Sequestration: A portion of the carbon dioxide trapped in trees during growth is released after they are cut down during the decomposition process. In order to avoid releasing this carbon dioxide, carbon can be stored for longer timeframes by locking carbon into wood products, such as lumber or furniture, or creating biochar. When urban trees fall down or are purposefully removed, residents and local municipalities should consider these end-of-life use cases to prevent the carbon dioxide from being reemitted into the atmosphere.

Consumption-based GHG Inventory
In 2015, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) partnered with the Cool Climate Network at UC Berkeley to develop a consumption-based inventory of GHG emissions for cities and counties across the entire Bay Area. The inventory was developed through an economic model that estimates per-household consumption of goods and services based on economic indicators, such as household income. The consumption-based method results in about 35 percent higher emissions than a traditional generation-based approach for the region, largely due to higher emissions embedded in goods consumed within but produced outside of the county.50 Figure 12 shows the consumption-based inventory for households in San Mateo County.

Figure 14: Consumption-based Inventory for Households in San Mateo County, 201551

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 38 Because of a lack of data and the complexity and cost of the accounting required, consumption-based inventories are extremely difficult to accurately complete. Consequently, it isn’t realistic to develop this type of lifecycle emissions accounting at regular intervals, as with standard GHG inventories. Even so, Atherton recognizes the importance of including measures and strategies to reduce consumption-based emissions in this CAP.

Considering the impact of consumption-based emissions helps Atherton prioritize buying local and supporting community businesses and jobs.

In some cases, cities may be able to collect consumption-based data, which can be useful for tracking programmatic outcomes. For instance, transportation consumption data in the form of gasoline sales volumes is available at the city and zip code level from the California Energy Commission, and compiled and posted at https://www.coltura.org/gasoline-sales-volumes. However, this data is estimated to be underreported by around 12% a year, because not all gas stations report.

In the future, there may be the opportunity and need to quantify GHG emissions associated with the goods and products procured by the community and its residents at more regular intervals. More information on this regional consumption-based inventory effort can be found online at: https://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/researchand-data/emission-inventory/consumption-based-ghg-emissions-inventory Future Emissions
Atherton developed a forecast of future emissions (Figure 13) to understand what reduction measures are needed to meet the 2030 and 2045 goals. The forecast starts from a projected 2020 base year community inventory for Atherton.

The forecast illustrates the following:
• “Business-as-usual” (BAU) emissions – This projection represents the emissions expected if 2020 patterns of travel, energy and water consumption, and waste generation/disposal were continued throughout time. This projection factors in the expected rate of county population and job growth (0.88 percent/year). The 0.88 percent growth rate is used a baseline in all BAU projections between 2016 and 2050, stemming from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Plan Bay Area 2040 Final Preferred Scenario and Investment Strategy. This growth rate is an average of the projected population growth (0.7 percent per year) and the expected job growth (1.07 percent per year) to occur across San Mateo County. This projection is considered in the absence of any measures, policies, or actions that would reduce emissions over time, including state legislation and/or any other policies or procedures accepted after 2016. Under the BAU scenario, Atherton emissions are projected to increase by 4 percent in 2030 (2,244 MTCO2e) and 15 percent in 2050 (8,587 MTCO2e), relative to 2020. • Emission reduction from State measures and policy – This projection incorporates the same factors as the BAU, but also includes key State policies such as clean car standards, renewable portfolio standard, zero net energy building, and organics recycling.
• Emissions reduction from PCE measures and programs. This projection includes the effect of Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) operating in San Mateo County. Switching from PG&E to PCE in 2017 gave Atherton a 96 reduction in GHG emissions by providing a cleaner fuel mix for energy generation than the State provided. By 2045, the Renewable Portfolio Standard will have closed that gap by forcing all electricity providers to offer a similarly clean mix of energy. Emissions are projected to decrease 22 percent (31,272 MTCO2e) by 2030 and remain relatively constant through 2050. • Emissions reduction from Atherton CAP reduction measures – This is the reduction necessary to reach the 2030 goal. In this CAP, Atherton is committing to take the actions need to meet this target. Those actions are described in the 2023 Climate Action Plan Update. Emissions are projected to decrease 50 percent (37,093 MTCO2e) by 2030.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 39 Figure 15. Atherton GHG Reduction Target (50%] Below 2005 Levels by 2030)

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 40 Reductions from State- and County-Level Actions
In addition to the actions outlined here, regulations aimed at reducing GHG emissions at the state and regional levels will also contribute to emissions reductions in Atherton. For example, the California Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandates that 100 percent of the electricity sold by the State’s investor-owned utilities be generated from renewable resources by 2045, with an interim target of 60 percent by 2030. The impact of statelevel actions on reducing local emissions is significant and is shown in relation to Atherton’s emissions baseline, business-as-usual forecast, and reduction target in Figure 13.

A summary of the expected emission reductions from state and county programs is provided in Supplementary Findings C.3.

Table 4: Total Emission Reductions from State of California and San Mateo County Policies and Programs State Initiative Sector % Emissions reduction from
applicable sector in 2030
2030 reduction in Atherton’s
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Advanced Clean Cars Program On-road
Transportation 11.9% 1,603
Low Carbon Fuel Standards Off-road
Transportation 20% 128
Caltrain Electrification Trains 89.1% 495
Renewable Portfolio Standard Electricity (Energy) 60% 2,754 100% Zero Net Energy New Residential 2020 Residential Energy 1.3% 731 50% Zero Net Energy Existing Commercial 2030 Commercial Energy 0.3% 197 Organic Waste Diversion SB 1383 Disposed Waste 2.1% 1,258 Total Emissions Reductions in Atherton from Statewide and Countywide Initiatives: 7,166 MTCO2e

Atherton’s Contribution to the Goal
Atherton is committing to at least a 49 percent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030. Through this commitment, Atherton will be doing its part in helping California achieve the statewide target of a 49 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 and will place Atherton on the path to achieving the statewide target of carbon neutrality well before 2045.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 41 7 IMPLEMENTATION

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 42 Implementation
The preceding chapters describe the principal sources of Atherton’s GHG emissions and related goals and actions for achieving the community’s targets of reducing emissions at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. This section outlines the main components of the process for putting this CAP into action and identifies specific actions from earlier sections that are recommended for implementation.

Although significant GHG reduction policies and initiatives are already in place, the actions proposed in this CAP, by necessity, far surpass the scale of existing efforts. Implementing the CAP and ensuring that it results in real GHG emissions reductions will require increased coordination across sectors and institutionalized climate protection efforts across the community.

There are many measures and programs that Atherton may implement to reduce GHG emissions. A cost-benefit analysis and prioritization methodology is presented below to assist the City in developing a phased implementation plan.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 43 Getting It Done: Managing the Strategy
Support will be needed to direct the implementation of the CAP measures. This section details how the city has organized itself to put this CAP into action.
• Hire a Sustainability Coordinator – The City has hired a Management Analyst with primary responsibility for implementation of this CAP and its sustainability programs. • Established an Environmental Programs Committee (EPC) – A volunteer committee of citizens meets regularly to discuss issues relating to environmental planning, sustainability, and the implementation of the CAP.

Better Together
Climate change is an issue that crosses geographic and sector boundaries. Atherton recognizes the value of collaborating with other public agencies, businesses, and community-based organizations to accelerate climate action. Everyone has a part to play and Atherton cannot do it alone. Atherton plans to coordinate efforts with the sectors listed below. More potential partners are listed in Supplementary Findings E.

Public Agencies
Atherton leverages existing climate protection programs funded by public agencies such as the State of California, Peninsula Clean Energy, City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County, Association of Bay Area Governments, County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability, South Bayside Waste Management Authority (RethinkWaste), and Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), among others. Collaboration with these organizations helps Atherton increase the sustainability of our own operations, as well as supports community efforts to improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy technologies, facilitate transit/biking/walking initiatives, and take other actions. A more extensive list of public agencies can be found in Supplementary Findings E.1.

Nonprofits
Atherton plans to work through existing networks of community-based and faith-based organizations that serve diverse cultural communities. Some organizations may not have the economic capacity to participate and may need to have their participation expenses defrayed. Many nonprofits already provide programming that is in alignment with the goals in this CAP. In addition, these collaborations will help Atherton engage community members who ordinarily aren’t aware of climate action efforts. (See next section.) Some community members may not be able to afford childcare or other expenses to participate and may not have a car to drive to meeting locations not accessible by public transportation. A list of local nonprofits is in Supplementary Findings E.2.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 44 Communities of Concern
Communities of color and low-income populations have been underrepresented in policy-making and often are not consulted about programs and services intended to benefit them, frequently resulting in ineffective programs. A variety of factors, such as lack of trusted relationships with government, language barriers, and lack of inclusion in planning and policy-development processes have all served as barriers to involvement.

Leadership and membership of mainstream environmental organizations have also tended to be white and well off, despite evidence that environmental concerns, including climate change, are broadly held by people of color and low-income populations.52
It’s important for Atherton to invest in long-term, reciprocal relationships with socially vulnerable communities. Atherton understands the need to consider how individuals who have not had access to educational opportunities or who do not speak English can participate in the conversation. Atherton is committed to listening and responding to diverse concerns and assisting community partners in participatory planning processes.

In implementing this CAP, the City plans to foster relationships and deepen involvement with communities of color and low-income populations regarding the challenges of and solutions to climate change.

Engagement strategies will take into account existing barriers and attempt to mitigate them. Ensuring that education and outreach are culturally and linguistically appropriate, as well as taking into account diverse educational attainment will be critical for success. This includes involvement of the North Fair Oaks Community and the Adelante Selby Immersion School community in the development of bicycle and pedestrian improvements for El Camino Real and Selby Lane, respectively.

Atherton and the County will seek to support community needs and priorities by working with community-based organizations to engage these traditionally under-represented and under-served populations and businesses. In addition, Atherton will look for opportunities to support diverse community organizations to implement actions outlined in this CAP, including grants such as the one that enabled community-based organizations in Half Moon Bay to engage socially vulnerable communities in participating in planning processes (see box).

Private Sector
For Atherton to succeed in achieving its CAP goals, we need support from the private sector. Markets need to shift. The goods and services available to our community should support our efforts to build a sustainable, resilient economy that doesn’t threaten the stability of the climate.

Atherton’s ongoing engagement in programs to decrease energy use and shift from natural gas to electricity use provided by private company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, is crucial to our efforts to decarbonize our energy system and transportation system.

Some businesses already put resource conservation at the core of their business models. Several businesses are Certified B Corporations, which are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. More than 30 businesses in San Mateo County are certified as Green Businesses through the California Green Business Program. A complete list of these businesses is available at https://greenbusinessca.org/find-green-business/.

Starting by Partnering with
Community Organizations
The City of Half Moon Bay initiated their
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
(CAAP) process by establishing
partnerships with three organizations
working with socially vulnerable
communities – youth, seniors, the Latino
community, and unhoused residents
who had previously been underserved in
planning processes. This effort
generated innovative and tailored
outreach strategies, strengthened
relationships between the organizations
and the City, generated a set of key
priorities, and provided valuable insights
that are being incorporated into the
City’s CAAP process.
https://climatereadysmc.org/pilotprojects

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 45 In addition, Atherton intends to partner with the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability to help small and medium-sized businesses learn about programs and incentives that will help them save money while also being good environmental stewards.

In addition, San Mateo County is home to many multi-national corporations with global supply chains, and employees that live in Atherton. Moving forward, Atherton will look for opportunities to help residents, employees, and business leaders understand how they can bring climate action principles to their workplaces. (See “Four Levels of Action” box in Chapter 7: Implementation, Multi-Section and Regional Collaboration section.) Internal Departments
Atherton’s collaborative mindset extends to our internal management. Departments and teams across the City are responsible for leading and implementing the strategies outlined in this CAP, including Building, Public Works, Planning, Police Department, and the City’s Manager’s Office.

External Communication
Atherton plans to widely distribute information on programs and funding opportunities for residents and local businesses. This may include participating in a countywide or regional online engagement platform such as Climate Solutions Net or Sustainable Future, if possible. EACH city to summarize the plan for ongoing communication and education of residents and businesses; media strategy; meetings; social marketing.

Specific actions that community members are encouraged to take today are included in boxes throughout Chapter 6: Strategies and Actions, Strategies to Get Us There section. Funding opportunities are listed in Supplementary Findings F.

Atherton will also look for opportunities to partner with organizations listed in this CAP to bring workshops and trainings to the community. Overall, the goal is to increase community awareness about climate change to influence everyday consumer behavior and purchasing decisions. Atherton’s messaging can encourage community members to take action not just at home, but also at work, and with community organizations of which they’re members. (See “Four Levels of Action” box in Chapter 7: Implementation, Multi-Section and Regional Collaboration section.)
Multi-sector and Regional Collaboration
To ensure full implementation of the CAP and accelerate climate action efforts, an interdepartmental team of City staff, in collaboration with civic leaders from the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, must be assembled to ensure sustainability and accountability. In addition, Atherton will aim to participate in countywide and/or regional convenings that bring the three sectors together to identify shared goals and collaboration opportunities.

Two areas in particular are good candidates for regional collaboration:

1. Electrification of buildings

2. Electrification of transportation
In addition, multi-sector collaborations could address the need for financial products that enable more community members and businesses to upgrade their homes, businesses, and transportation.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 46 Four Levels of Action
Strategic change expert Will Grant explains that there are four levels of action related to social change:

Grant asserts that the environmental movement’s message has been focused on Level 1 and Level 4: “Change individual actions or sign this petition, lobby this person. But I think our greatest impact is actually at Levels 2 and 3, and especially Level

3. Level 3 is institutions and groups where I’m still known as a person…where I can get in touch with a person who’s in charge within about a week and get a meeting.”
Grant gives the example of getting a local school to install solar panels. “I can figure out the economics of the project. I can organize and create a coalition to get it done. The conversation I generate at the school – with the principal, the students, the PTA – is a big piece of the change. It’s as useful as the change itself. If I change a local institution or something that I’m involved in, I’m not just impacting my life, I’m impacting the lives of hundreds or maybe thousands of people. When the solar panels go up, other schools in the neighborhood wonder ‘Why don’t we have solar panels?’ Then other institutions can take the model for that change.”53
Workforce Development
To meet our climate action goals, the workforce
needs to be ready to implement projects that will
result in less energy consumption, fewer vehicle miles
traveled, less solid waste, and reduced municipal
emissions. It’s estimated that an increase of 64,000 to 100,000 local workers will be required to electrify
California’s building stock.54
Training workers to deliver the services required by
this CAP is a critical step in the process.

Organizations like BayREN and PG&E have already
been training local contractors, designers, and
architects in energy efficiency for over a decade
through contractor trainings and specific workforce
development programs. Local plumbing and electrical unions also provide extensive trainings for their members.

Grid Alternatives has been offering training programs for solar installations in California and the rest of the United States by utilizing grant funds to install solar panels on low-income housing, and training workers on site in a style similar to the Habitat for Humanity model. Rising Sun Center for Opportunity runs Climate Careers, a summer youth employment and residential water and energy efficiency program in the Bay Area. It provides youth with opportunities for training and meaningful employment in the clean economy, educates about eco-literacy issues such as climate change, and offers continued professional development opportunities after employment.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 47 Since 2019, Peninsula Clean Energy has started to offer similar programs to supplement BayREN and PG&E’s existing work, and all three organizations have expanded to include contractor trainings on building electrification and EV charging station deployment. Since building electrification projects require contractors skilled in both plumbing and electricity trades, Atherton will collaborate with the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability to provide opportunities for these contractors to connect with each other and potentially form implementation teams.

Supporting these workforce development programs and ensuring they help develop the expertise of our local workforce, will be critical to ensuring we meet our climate goals, and will help community members gain employment in the growing green jobs sector.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 48 Timeline
The following timeline lists the major milestones in the CAP implementation process. Progress and updates to this schedule should be submitted to the City Council and the public as part of an annual Plan Implementation Report.

Table 7. Climate Action Plan Implementation
Milestone Target Date
GHG Inventory Completed 04/2014
GHG Reduction Target Established 06/2016
Council Review 10/2016
CAP Adoption 11/2016
Sustainability Coordinator Begins Implementation 08/2021 1st Annual CAP Implementation Report 11/2021
2nd GHG Inventory Completed 10/2022
1st CAP Update 06/2023
2021 and 2022 GHG Inventories Completed Fall 2023
Implementation Budget
Staff has evaluated the resource impacts across City departments and identified resources needed to implement this CAP over the coming years.

Some of the actions will be absorbed and integrated into existing departmental operating or projects budgets.

Resources allocated to implementing the CAP will be refined and finalized as part of the annual process for budget development and approval by the City Council.

The City’s strategy to finance implementation of current and future actions will evolve over time. Strategies the City may consider could include:
• Leveraging partnerships and collaborative projects, particularly through Peninsula Clean Energy and Office of Sustainability programs
• Developing a differential utility use tax (UUT) to incentivize electrification • Charging carbon impact fees for development projects
• Implementing user fees for selected activities and services • Implementing paid parking in selected locations
• Adding transportation impact fees to requirements for new construction projects

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 49 Monitoring and Improvement
Atherton envisions that the core strategies will remain constant as we move forward. As we live in an age and place of abundant technological innovation, more advanced technologies and creative innovations may be integrated into the CAP in the future.

To ensure that the emissions targets described in this CAP are met, ongoing monitoring is necessary. If it’s determined that CAP efforts are falling short of the goals, the City will add additional voluntary and mandatory measures to the CAP. This process is necessary for this CAP to maintain its status as a “GHG Reduction Strategy” and for related projects to be automatically approved under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Generation-based inventories provide a consistent way to track progress over time. But these inventories have two shortfalls:

1. Annual GHG generation-based inventories lag about two years behind. For instance, the 2018 inventory will be available in late 2020. This makes it difficult to get immediate feedback on changes to programs and policies.

2. Generation-based inventories don’t tell the whole story. Our goal is to achieve at least 50 percent reduction of GHG emissions by 2030 on the way to carbon neutrality well before 2045. It will be difficult to meet the carbon neutrality goal without calculating and tracking emissions from the consumption of goods and services in addition to generation of emissions.

Atherton’s monitoring and ongoing improvement program addresses these shortfalls:
• Atherton will establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for each action listed in Chapter 6:

Strategies and Actions, Strategies to Get Us There section, including actions to reduce consumption-based emissions. Progress on KPIs will be posted on the City’s website and updated quarterly, at minimum. • Through the RICAPS program, Atherton will consider participating in a countywide goal for KPIs agreed to by all cities in the county. Those KPIs will be posted and tracked on the County’s website. Examples of common KPIs are number of solar installations, number of EV charging stations installed, number of homes retrofitted, number of EVs purchased, number of heat pump water heaters and/or space heaters installed, etc.
• The City will issue an Annual Climate Action Update Report to update the City Council, residents, and other interested stakeholders on progress made implementing the CAP actions. The ACAPIR will detail lessons learned and make recommendations for changes to the implementation strategy or the CAP itself. Following the release of the update report, a 30-day public comment period will be open to allow for community input on the implementation of the CAP.
• The City will track the emissions, resource savings, equity and inclusion impact, and any other effects of each implemented action, as well as estimate costs to government, residents, and businesses. This will include enhancements to the databases that would help track progress on the variety of measures in the CAP, including those managed by other agencies or organizations. See “Measuring Success” section of Supplementary Findings D for details about how to track progress on equity and inclusion impact. Each action will be summarized in the ACAPIR and made available for public review. • Every year, Atherton will review the newest community GHG inventory provided by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability through the San Mateo County Energy Watch program. Every five years, Atherton will conduct a municipal GHG generation-based inventory to track progress on reducing the Town’s own emissions.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 50 • This CAP may need to be updated based on the results of the GHG inventories. Atherton may modify and/or add new actions to ensure that the Town is on track to meet its GHG reduction goals. • In partnership with the County Office of Sustainability, Atherton will explore a collaboration with a research institution to include questions about climate protection behaviors in an annual countywide survey of community members. Responses from the survey could be used to track progress on community actions related to consumption-based emissions.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Implementation
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51 ▪ 8. Conclusion
8 CONCLUSION

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Conclusion
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52 Conclusion
The challenge of preparing for and mitigating the effects of climate change is unprecedented in its scale and potential disruption to our way of living. Recent climate disasters have given us a preview of what could become the “new abnormal.” This includes severe weather that impacts inland jursidictions like Atherton.

We must act now. Climate change waits for no one. However, in the face of daunting headlines, we remain hopeful and resolved, and know what we need to do to move forward. We have the solutions to reduce emissions, increase efficiency, promote economic vitality, and improve our quality of life.

This CAP provides an overarching, strategic framework for Atherton to achieve the goal of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030, on the way to carbon neutrality by 2045. While developing and publishing this CAP is an important step, it’s even more critical that this CAP remain a living document, to be updated as technology and policies progress.

This CAP not only supports the Town’s efforts to manage its own GHG emissions, it’s a call-to-action to residents and community institutions to take an active part in our transition to a low-carbon future and clean economy. In this process, Atherton will foster a vibrant economy, increase its resiliency, and support a collective vision for a livable and sustainable community for generations to come.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 53

9. Appendix
9 SUPPLEMENTARY

FINDINGS

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 54

SUPPLEMENTARY FINDINGS
A. Glossary of Abbreviations
AB 32 Assembly Bill 32, The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
CARB California Air Resources Board
CAP Climate action plan
CEC California Energy Commission
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CO2 Carbon dioxide
CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
EV Electric vehicle
GHG Greenhouse gas
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
KPI Key performance indicator
kWh kilowatt hour
MT Metric ton
MMT Million metric tons
PCE Peninsula Clean Energy
PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company
RPS Renewable portfolio standard
TOD Transit-oriented development
U.S. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
VMT Vehicle miles traveled
WRI World Resources Institute

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 55 B. Climate Change
B.1 Global Goal to Limit Warming to 1.5°C
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international scientific body on climate change, released a report55 in mid-2018 shifting the threshold at which significant and potentially irreversible climate change impacts occur from 2°C to 1.5°C of average global temperature increase above pre-industrial levels. The IPCC report promotes immediate actions to meet the 1.5°C threshold to prevent or slow these impacts. Many of the impacts of warming up to and beyond 1.5°C, and some potential impacts of mitigation actions required to limit warming to 1.5°C, fall disproportionately on low income and socially vulnerable people.

Substantial changes in regional climate occur between 1.5°C and 2°C of global average temperature increase.

For example, the number of people exposed to severe heat waves triples. Keeping temperatures at 1.5°C as compared to a 2°C warming would result in global reductions in risk, including:
• Sea level rise: Decreasing global rate of rise by approximately 3.9 inches • Heat waves: Decreasing the number of people being frequently exposed by 420 million worldwide • Heavy precipitation and drought: Reducing intensity and frequency worldwide • Drinking water: Lowering the number of people without access to drinking water by 50 percent Limiting warming to 1.5°C will require changes by 2050, including:
• Eliminating GHG emissions in our cities
• Deep reductions in global emissions of non-CO2 climate pollutants, particularly methane • Reducing oil use by 32-74 percent
• Reducing natural gas use by 13-60 percent
• Leveraging renewables to supply 36-97 percent of energy • Making buildings and transportation energy efficient
• Implementing adaptation options, including coastal defense and hardening, efficient irrigation, green infrastructure, and disaster risk management
B.2 State and Local Goals and Targets
California has some of the most aggressive climate action goals in the United States. The State has set a goal of emissions reductions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (or 49 percent below 2005 levels). To achieve this, California has created the following strategies:
• Increase renewable electricity production to 50 percent • Reduce petroleum use by 50 percent in vehicles
• Double energy efficiency savings at existing buildings • Reduce GHG emissions from natural and working lands
• Reduce short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and fluorinated gases
• Make California more resilient to climate change in accordance with California’s 2018 Safeguarding California Plan

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 56 B.3 Trends in National and State Emissions
National Emissions
According to the U.S. EPA, gross total U.S. GHG emissions in 2017 were 6,456.7 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), representing a 12 percent decrease below 2005 levels.56 Emissions have also decreased

4.5 percent since 2014, largely driven by transitioning power plants from using coal to natural gas, as well as warmer winter conditions. CO2, the largest component of man-made GHGs, made up 81.6 percent of total U.S.

GHG emissions in 2017, followed by methane at 10.2 percent, nitrous oxide at 5.6 percent, and fluorinated gases at 2.6 percent.

Figure 18: Gross U.S. GHG Emissions by Gas: 1990-201857 In 2018, the industrial sector contributed the largest share of GHG emissions (29.1 percent), followed by transportation (27.9 percent), commercial (16.2 percent), residential (15.6 percent), and agriculture (10.5 percent).

Land use and forestry offset 11 percent of total gross emissions. Of the five main sectors, transportation has seen the largest increase in emissions since 1990 (22 percent increase), while industrial emissions have seen the largest decrease (15.5 percent decrease).

Figure 19: U.S. GHG Emissions by Economic Sector58

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 57 California Emissions
Similar to the national trend, total GHG emissions in California have decreased in recent years. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), total California GHG emissions in 2017 were 424 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2e, representing a 2 percent decrease below 1990 levels and a 13 percent decrease below 2005 levels.59
Figure 19: California GHG Emissions by Sector: 2000-20178 California has seen an overall decrease in carbon intensity of electricity generation, driven by a large increase in zero-GHG and renewable energy resources due in part to California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)60 and Cap-and-Trade Program.61 In 2017, the transportation sector contributed the largest share of GHG emissions (41 percent), followed by industrial (24 percent), in-state electricity (9 percent), agriculture and forestry (8 percent), residential (7 percent), imported electricity (6 percent), and commercial (5 percent).

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 58 Figure 20: California 2017 GHG Emissions by Sector8
B.4 Four Scenarios Show What Climate Change Will Do To The Earth, From Pretty Bad To Disaster
The following is a reprint of an article that was published in Fast Company on August 26, 2014.62 Despite the drops in emissions resulting from the downturn in economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, greenhouse gases are expected to continue to rise over the next decade,63 64 keeping us on course for the highest emissions pathway. Scientists are currently developing new emissions trajectories based on nine scenarios that will be used in the upcoming IPCC report.

Four Scenarios Show What Climate Change Will Do To The Earth, From Pretty Bad To Disaster
Climate change is going to do a lot of damage. How bad that damage will be is still under debate.

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report left no doubt about the future of the world if we don’t slow the rate at which we release heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. In a word, it’s going to get bad.

But exactly how bad is still an open question, and a lot depends not only on how we react, but how quickly. The rate at which humans cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions–if we do choose to cut them–will have a large bearing on how the world turns out by 2100, the forecasts reveal.

This graphic from the World Resources Institute gives a sense of the dynamics at play. It presents four “emissions pathways,” ranging from the very optimistic to the highly pessimistic.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 59

WE ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
The first “Low Emissions” scenario is for a 66% drop in greenhouse emissions by 2050 compared to 2010 levels.

It’s what we might call a soft landing, because under those conditions scientists believe we’ll be relatively safe.

The world would have warmed only by 2 degrees C over pre-industrial levels (the level set by various international agreements). Still, almost of the quarter of the world would suffer depleted groundwater supplies by 2080, and many more people will face extreme flooding, the WRI says. So, life wouldn’t be peachy.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 60 WE KEEP DOING WHAT WE’RE DOING
The “Medium Emissions” scenario sees increases in emissions until 2040 and the world exceeding its “carbon budget”–the level at which it should stay within the 2 degrees limit–by 2056. By 2100, the planet has warmed by

2.9 degrees, and economic productivity has fallen by 20%. By the 2080s, six times as many people are experiencing catastrophic flooding as the 1980s.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 61

WE REV THE ENGINES
The “High Emissions” scenario doesn’t see emissions peaking until 2080, while global temperatures jump 3.7 degrees C by 2100. The carbon budget is exhausted in 2057. The impact on agricultural production is so heinous that adaption is no longer viable, the WRI predicts.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 62

WE DESTROY THE PLANET
As if that’s not bad enough, there’s one last “Highest Emissions” scenario (they should have called it the Doomsday Scenario, really). It sees the carbon budget obliterated in 2045 and global temperatures increasing a whopping 4.8 degrees by century’s end. Many animals have become extinct and farming in some places, like southern Brazil, has become impossible.

But won’t we adapt to the new conditions, you might ask? Well, maybe. The scenarios here assume flat technology development, not the leaps forward in innovation that we can hope for. We could have droughtresistant crops and new ways of recycling and desalinating water, for instance, that could make these predictions less forceful.

The easier course, though, is to cut emissions. To have a fighting chance of coping with climate disorder, we have to cut greenhouse gases quickly, not just wait until it’s convenient.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ben Schiller is a New York staff writer for Fast Company. Previously, he edited a European management magazine and was a reporter in San Francisco, Prague, and Brussels.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 63 C. Policy
C.1 Global Policy
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing – in a global partnership. Goal #13 is “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.”65 C.2 State Policy and Regulatory Context
The State of California has been a leader in developing and implementing policies and regulations to directly address the risk of severe climate change. Below we summarize the key statewide legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate impacts. There are many supporting pieces of legislation and other related initiatives that are sector specific.

Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), California Global Solutions Act, 2006 In September 2006, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), which set the goal of reducing GHG emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020. AB 32 finds and declares that “global warming poses a serious threat to economic well-being, public health, natural resources and the environment of California.” The legislation granted authority to the Air Resources Board to establish multiple mechanisms (regulatory, reporting, voluntary, and market) to achieve quantifiable reductions in GHG emissions to meet the statewide goal.

Senate Bill 97, CEQA Guidelines for Addressing GHG Emissions, 2007 In August of 2007, Senate Bill (SB) 97 was signed into law, expressly recognizing the need to analyze GHG emissions as a part of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. SB 97 required the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to develop, and the California Natural Resources Agency to adopt, amendments to CEQA Guidelines addressing the analysis and mitigation of GHG emissions. Those amendments became effective in March of 2010. Proposed projects that must comply with CEQA regulations include General Plans, Specific Plans and specific types of development projects.

Senate Bill 350, Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act, 2015 In October of 2015, Senate Bill 350 (SB 350) was signed into law, establishing new clean energy, clean air and greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2030 and beyond. SB 350 codified Governor Jerry Brown’s aggressive clean energy goals and established California’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels.

To achieve this goal, SB 350 increases California’s renewable electricity procurement goal from 33 percent by 2020 (legislation originally enacted in 2002) to 50 percent by 2030. Renewable resources include wind, solar, geothermal, wave, and small hydroelectric power. In addition, SB 350 requires the state to double statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas end uses by 2030.

Senate Bill 100, The 100% Clean Energy Act, 2018
In September of 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 100 (SB 100), requiring the State’s load serving entities (including energy utilities and community choice energy programs) to achieve 50 percent renewable resources target by December 31, 2026, to achieve a 60 percent target by December 31, 2030 and supply 100

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 64 percent of retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers and 100 percent of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2045. At the same time, Governor Brown also signed Executive Order B-55-18, requiring California to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible, and no later than 2045, and to maintain negative emissions thereafter.

Senate Bill 1477, Low Emissions Buildings and Sources of Heat Energy, 2018 In September 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1477 (SB 1477), that requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to oversee two new low-carbon heating programs, investigate potential pilot programs to build all-electric, zero-carbon buildings in areas damaged by wildfires, coordinate with the California Energy Commission on updates to the State’s building (Title 24) and appliance (Title 20) energy efficiency standards, and establish a building decarbonization policy framework. The bill authorizes $200 million over four years to be invested in programs to advance low-carbon space and water heating technologies in both new and existing buildings. Funding for the programs is slated to come from natural gas utility carbon allowance proceeds from California’s cap-and-trade program.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District CEQA Guidelines The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) encourages local governments to adopt a GHG Reduction Strategy that is consistent with AB 32 goals. The GHG Reduction Strategy may streamline environmental review of community development projects. According to the BAAQMD, if a project is consistent with a GHG Reduction Strategy, then it can be presumed that the project will not have significant GHG impacts.

This approach is consistent with the following State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15183.5.a:
“Lead agencies may analyze and mitigate the significant impacts of greenhouse gas emissions at a programmatic level, such as…a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Later project-specific environmental documents may tier from and/or incorporate by reference that existing programmatic review. Project-specific environmental documents may rely on an [Environmental Impact Report] containing a programmatic analysis of greenhouse gas emissions.” This CAP provides a foundation for future development efforts in the community. It is expected that environmental documents for future development projects will identify and incorporate all applicable voluntary and mandatory actions from CAP for projects undergoing CEQA review.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 65 C.3 State-Level Programs
The Town isn’t expected to make all the reductions on its own. The following programs help cities meet their climate goals.

California Advanced Clean Cars Program
In 2012, CARB adopted a set of regulations to control emissions from passenger vehicles, collectively called Advanced Clean Cars. The program was developed in coordination with the U.S. EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and combines the control of smog-causing pollutants and GHG emissions into a single coordinated package of regulations. ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-carsprogram California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program
The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is designed to encourage the use of low-carbon fuels, encourage the production of those fuels, and therefore, reduce GHG emissions. Currently, the LCFS calls for a 20 percent decline in the carbon intensity of diesel fuels below 2010 levels by 2030. ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm Caltrain Electrification
Caltrain Electrification is a key component of Caltrain Modernization Program (CalMod). The current project will electrify the corridor from San Francisco to San Jose, including all track in San Mateo County, and will replace 75 percent of Caltrain’s diesel service with electric. The project will lower GHG emissions, improve regional air quality, and reduce noise. https://calmod.org
California Renewable Portfolio Standard
The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), originally established in 2002, required 20 percent of electricity retail sales to be served by renewable sources by 2017. The program was accelerated in 2015 with SB 350, which mandated a 50 percent RPS by 2030. SB 100, enacted in 2018, accelerated the program further, establishing renewable energy targets of 50 percent by 2026, 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2045. www.cpuc.ca.gov/rps
California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan
Published in 2008 and updated in 2011, the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan outlines goals and strategies for key market sectors (i.e., commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural) and crosscutting initiatives (e.g., heating, ventilation and air conditioning, codes and standards, research, and technology). While the Plan has not been updated since 2011, it is still referenced in numerous State documents and reports. The Plan embraces four specific programmatic goals, known as the Big Bold Energy Efficiency Strategies. These goals are:
• All new residential construction in California will be zero net energy by 2020. • All new commercial construction in California will be zero net energy by 2030. • The Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry will be re-shaped to deliver maximum performance HVAC systems.
• All eligible low-income customers will have an opportunity to participate in the LIEE program and will be provided all cost- effective energy efficiency measures in their residences by 2020.

More information on California’s zero net energy goals can be found online at: www.cpuc.ca.gov/ZNE

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 66 Organic/Food Waste Diversion
In 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) established methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in various sectors of California’s economy. SB 1383 establishes target to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in the level of statewide disposal of organic waste from 2014 levels by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. The law grants CalRecycle the regulatory authority required to achieve the organic waste disposal reduction targets. More information about SB 1383 can be found online at:
https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp
C.4 Local Policy
In September 2019, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declaring a climate emergency in San Mateo County to highlight the increasingly urgent need for action to address the climate crisis.

The County of San Mateo joined over 1,000 national, international, and local jurisdictions with similar declarations.

The resolution calls for the County to create climate action plans (CAPs) for its government operations and unincorporated community that will achieve carbon neutrality in advance of the State of California’s 2045 goal, and coordinate with the cities and other local partners in addressing the climate crisis.66

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 67 D. Best Practices for Community Collaboration and
Sustainability Planning
Community engagement is an invaluable resource to climate action planning, building the social cohesion and resilience needed to adapt and mitigate to climate change impacts. San Mateo County Health Policy and Planning (HPP) supports meaningful, transparent, and inclusive public participation of residents that are most impacted by the decisions at stake in planning and policy processes. Community is central to the process to:
• Learn about the issues we are trying to address
• Share power and resources
• Build community ownership of the issues
• Do “with” versus doing “for”
• Honor community residents’ knowledge and experience
• Inform solutions, implementation, and evaluation
• Meet the community where they are
The most effective plans are those that create a transparent process and collaborate with community from the beginning, thus providing residents with the opportunity to create ownership of and interest in the plans and issues at hand. There is a spectrum of community engagement processes with increasing levels of public influence on decision-making processes, beginning with informing the public of decisions and issues on one end of the spectrum and collaborating and empowering community members to co-design and decide for themselves at the other end.67
Some California cities have engaged in effective public collaboration and empowerment practices in their planning process by sharing their decision-making power. The table below highlights jurisdictions with model planning practices that went beyond informing the public and collaborated with and empowered the public. Building strong sustainability planning comes down to building strong narratives internally and externally, while establishing transformative collaboration processes.68, 69
D.1 Health Policy and Planning Recommended Best Practices for Community Engagement
The following recommendations incorporate best practices for inclusive and intentional engagement, transparency and clear communication, community empowerment, and program measurement.

Inclusive & Intentional Engagement
• Work through existing networks of community-based and faith-based organizations that serve and organize in diverse cultural communities to identify community leaders to work with. • Host a “meet and greet” with community organizations and advocacy groups to build connections across sectors and develop partnerships.
• Engage community members with humility and by meeting people where they are: do not expect all community members to engage at the same level, acknowledge the many forms of community member knowledge, and use accessible and non-technical language (not planning jargon). • Attend community meetings and cultural events as a participant. Listen to what issues are discussed and how they are talked about. Be sensitive to and aware of potential power dynamics due to race, ethnicity, citizenship, class, or gender differences.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 68 • Develop awareness of the racial and economic disparities in the area and why those disparities exist; seek insights from experienced community leaders and organizations. • Seek out relationships with leaders from non-English speaking communities. Work with them to identify barriers to engagement and ways to bridge the divide to work with their communities. Translate materials and provide interpretation at community meetings.
• Build incentives for engagement for each strategy that reduce barriers to participate. • Hold meetings at times, such as on evenings and weekends, and places that are convenient and accessible to the public, including low-income residents; whenever possible, provide childcare, meals, and transit passes. Meeting locations should be well served by public transit that runs at night and on weekends. • Establish an Equity Working Group as a way of creating an effective forum for bringing together the best thinking on equity issues through ongoing dialogue. At the same time, ensure that the recommendations of equity stakeholders do not live in a silo but are brought to other key decision-makers and advisory groups throughout the process. Ensure equity representation on technical advisory committees.70 Transparency
• Structure your engagement and planning process to include substantive representation by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or organizations that represent low-income communities in various decision-making capacities.
• Communicate all key decision points in the planning or policy process.71 • Demonstrate how public input will be considered by describing how public input from outreach strategies will be used in the development, evaluation, and selection of the plan alternatives at each key decision point.
• Establish regular communication mechanisms and communicate early and often to gauge progress, gain feedback on the process, share information, and gain new ideas for cultivating connections and maintaining relevance to community concerns.
• Use diverse communication techniques such as social media, pictures, video, and art to help people absorb information visually.72
Empowerment: Sharing Power & Capacity
• Empower community members to take an active role in neighborhood revitalization from the start of a process. This means:
o Creating a participatory process for developing a shared vision for community change. o Engaging residents in documenting not only the disparities and conditions that merit change but also community assets to preserve and build from.73,74,75 • Share governance and decision-making by, for example, setting aside resources to be shaped and decided on by community members. Resources can include: grants for community engagement, land acquisition funds, the hiring of consultants, project selection, or participatory budgeting. • Structure the planning process so community organizations and leaders can: 1) Shape agendas and issues, 2) organize and lead convenings, and 3) identify concrete and measurable benchmarks for success, as well as the parties who will be responsible for both procedural (community engagement) and substantive (program/policy) outcomes.
• Establish a system of neighborhood-level resident representation to empower/engage local neighborhoods in their own revitalization process.76

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 69 • Build capacity within disadvantaged/vulnerable/historically underserved communities to empower them to co-lead, navigate and participate in planning and policy processes. This can be achieved by:
o Contracting with local, community-based organizations in low-income communities and communities of color to conduct engagement processes.
o Partnering with and funding equity-focused community-based organizations to train participating residents from low-income communities and communities of color in the content and skills they will need to exercise informed leaderships.77,78
• Promote Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles in data collection and mapping of neighborhood existing conditions.79
Measuring Success
Community planning for sustainability requires establishing measurable standards for diligent implementation.

Defined assessment standards such as the Envision Rating System or STAR Community Rating System enhance the success, progress, and opportunities for any plan.

The current CAP acknowledges the value of continuously updating the implementation matrix and the monitoring tool: both are critical for implementation and transparency. Including more holistic measures like those used by the STAR Community Rating and Envision Rating may enhance the CAP’s current evaluation metrics. Measure review should also include both quantitative and qualitative performance measures.

D.2 Health Policy and Planning Recommended Best Practices for Measure Review
• Identify SMART (Specific, Measurable, Agreed Upon, Realistic, Time-Bound) goals to accurately track and measure goals and deliverables.
o Effectively communicate and share information with county/municipal agencies and stakeholders. • Use tools (e.g., checklists, health impact assessments, etc.) to evaluate and identify challenges and potential solutions.
o Identify implementation priority areas based on equitable vulnerability practices/assessments. o Routinely conduct pre/post evaluations.
• Practice accountability (in the form of regular progress reports and meetings with interested stakeholders), consulting with experts and community.
o Produce annual progress reports and ensure reports are accessible to communities. o Clearly identify and communicate action plan methodologies, performance measures, timelines, and leads.
o Assess changes and updates on a yearly basis, both for the plan and the relevant areas. • Measure benefits and impacts in low-income and other vulnerable communities. o Ensure that updates and investments benefit existing and future residents. o Include displacement risk of existing residents in measure criteria. o Prioritize implementation of goals and actions in areas that are most affected.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 70 Additional Resources
• Your Community Toolbox for Leading in a Changing Climate: Step-by-step guide to collaborate across sectors and provide climate change education and engagement (Climate Education Partners) • Sustainability Best Practices Framework: Options for local action in 10 sustainability areas (Institute for Local Government)
• Planning for Equity Policy Guide: Guidelines to remove policy barriers to equity (American Planning Association)
• Assessing Sustainability: A Guide for Local Governments: Best practices for sustainability implementation (American Planning Association)
• Office of Planning and Research Clearinghouse: Tools and database, case studies, climate stories, equity resources, and more sustainability best practices (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research) • International Association for Public Participation: Resources for public participation and engagement at all levels (i.e., government, institution, individual, etc.) Table X: Community Engagement Model Practices in suburban, urban, and rural jurisdictions80,81,82 Jurisdiction (type) Leading Stakeholders Outcome Model Practice City of Napa
(urban/rural)
City staff, Task force, and
Community residents Sustainability Plan Interviews with community leaders East Palo Alto
(urban)
City Council, City staff,
Community stakeholders
Health and Equity
Element
Policies for civic engagement and
inclusivity in decision-making
process
Jurupa Valley
(suburban)
Consultants, Community-based
organizations, and City staff
Environmental Justice
Element
Meetings in affected
neighborhoods
Los Angeles
(urban)
City council, City staff, and
Citywide coalition
Clean Up Green Up
Ordinance Community data ground-truthing
National City
(suburban)
City council, City staff, and
Community-based
organizations
Environmental Justice
Element Meetings with decision-makers
Oakland
(urban)
Planning Bureau and
12 Community-based
organizations
EO Neighborhood
Initiative Year-long community engagement
Richmond
(urban)
Advisory Committee
and City staff
Community Health &
Wellness Element
Council-appointed committee of
resident leaders

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 71 E. Partners
In addition to the partners listed here, the newly launched Bay Area Climate Action Mapping Project (https://www.bayareaclimateactionmap.org/) lists additional organizations actively working on climate action.

E.1 Public Sector
Organization Description
Bay Area Regional Energy
Network (BayREN)
Led by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), BayREN provides regionalscale energy efficiency programs, services, and resources for single-family and multifamily homes, and small and medium-size businesses. BayREN supports cities in developing reach codes, and local building departments in complying with the Energy Code through trainings, events, and compliance tools. A water bill savings program is launching in 2020. In San Mateo County, the program is administered by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. www.bayren.org
City/County Association of
Governments of San Mateo
County (C/CAG)
C/CAG is a council of governments consisting of the County of San Mateo and its 20 cities and towns. The organization deals with topics such as transportation, air quality, stormwater runoff, hazardous waste, solid waste and recycling, land use near airports, abandoned vehicle abatement, and issues that affect general quality of life. C/CAG supports several sustainability initiatives including:

San Mateo County Energy Watch. A local government partnership between PG&E and C/CAG to promote energy efficiency in municipal and non-profit buildings. It is managed and staffed by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. https://smcenergywatch.org/
Congestion Management Agency. C/CAG serves as the Congestion Management Agency for San Mateo County to identify strategies to respond to future transportation needs, develop procedures to alleviate and control congestion, and promote countywide solutions. https://ccag.ca.gov/programs/transportation-programs/congestionmanagement/ Sustainable Communities Strategy/Regional Transportation Plan. C/CAG is collaborating with local governments and regional agencies to develop a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) in compliance with the requirements of SB 375. The SCS will facilitate more focused development in priority development areas near public transit stations. The aim of the San Mateo County SCS is to better integrate land use with public transportation in order to reduce GHG emissions. The San Mateo Countywide Transportation Plan was adopted by the C/CAG Board of Directors in February 2017.

The Plan can be found online at: https://ccag.ca.gov/programs/countywidetransportation-plan/ San Mateo County Energy and Water Strategy 2025. This Plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for addressing challenges in the energy and water sectors in San Mateo County through 2025. It was developed by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) with extensive input from expert local stakeholders from other public agencies, community-based organizations, and the private sector.

San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP). The program is a partnership of C/CAG, each incorporated city and town in the County, and the County of San Mateo, which share a common National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The goal of the collaboration is to reduce the pollution carried by stormwater into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Permittees developed Green Infrastructure Plans to prompt specific reductions in mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) from entering the Bay via stormwater by 2040.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 72 County of San Mateo Office
of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability (OOS) strives to improve the sustainability of the County’s operations and the greater community by administering programs and developing policies in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, water conservation, alternative transportation, affordable housing, waste reduction, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. OOS also leads the following regional collaborations:

Climate Ready SMC. Brings together leaders from across sectors and jurisdictions to foster collaboration and collectively find solutions to make San Mateo County climate ready. The Collaborative is facilitated by the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. The Collaborative seeks to help leaders from non-profit and communitybased organizations local government, businesses, and other key partners. https://www.smcsustainability.org/climate-ready
Home for All Initiative. Builds on the work and momentum of the Closing the Jobs/Housing Gap Task Force. Led by Supervisors Don Horsley and Warren Slocum, the Home for All Initiative is working to inspire community action and promote closure of the County’s 16:1 jobs/housing gap. The Initiative’s members include representatives from all sectors of the community and are focused on creating a future where everyone in San Mateo County has an affordable home. https://homeforallsmc.org/ Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS). A set of tools and a collaboration of all 20 incorporated cities and the County in climate action planning and implementation. https://smcenergywatch.org/local-governments/ Flood and Sea-Level Rise
Resiliency District
The Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District is a coordinated, cross-jurisdictional collaborative to face impending coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and flooding threats as we look toward 2100. Comprised of the 20 incorporated cities, City/County Association of Governments, and the County of San Mateo, the purpose of this entity is to create a unified voice, to cost-effectively implement resilient infrastructure to face these challenges. The District initiates new countywide efforts to address sea-level rise, flooding, coastal erosion, and large-scale stormwater infrastructure improvements through integrated regional planning, project implementation and long-term maintenance. https://resilientsanmateo.org
ICLEI - Local Governments
for Sustainability ICLEI is an international organization of local and regional governments that have made a commitment to sustainable development. They provide guides and frameworks that support climate action. https://icleiusa.org/
Local Government
Commission (LGC) LGC works to build livable communities and local leadership by connecting leaders via innovative programs and network opportunities, advancing policies through participation at the local and state level, and implementing solutions as a technical assistance provider and advisor to local jurisdictions. https://www.lgc.org/ Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) was launched collaboratively by the County of San Mateo and all 20 of its cities and towns in 2016 to help the environment through cleaner energy, while helping customers save money through lower rates. PCE currently offers two electricity options to all residents, businesses, and municipalities in San Mateo County. Customers are automatically enrolled in the ECOplus rate that consists of 50 percent renewable and 95 percent greenhouse gas-free energy and can “opt up” to the ECO100 rate that consists of 100 percent renewable energy that is Green-e certified.

PCE has a stated goal of sourcing 100 percent of electricity from California Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) eligible renewable energy by 2025. PCE is also supporting programs that reduce GHG emissions and deliver benefits to San Mateo County communities. www.peninsulacleanenergy.com

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 73 RethinkWaste
Also known as the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA), RethinkWaste is a joint powers authority formed by 12 local government jurisdictions:

Town of Atherton, City of Belmont, City of Burlingame, City of East Palo Alto, City of Foster City, Town of Hillsborough, City of Menlo Park, City of Redwood City, City of San Carlos, City of San Mateo, the County of San Mateo and the West Bay Sanitary District.

SBWMA owns and manages the Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos, California, which receives all the recyclables, green waste, and garbage collected from the Member Agencies. https://rethinkwaste.org/
San Mateo County Public
Health, Policy and Planning
(HPP)
This County department protects the health of everyone who lives, works, learns, and plays in San Mateo County by preventing the spread of communicable diseases, delivering targeted health care services, providing public health laboratory testing, and building communities that make it easy to stay healthy. HPP is happy to partner with local governments working on climate action planning processes. https://www.smchealth.org/division-public-health-policy-and-planning San Mateo County Transit
District (SamTrans) SamTrans provides public transit and transportation programs in San Mateo County:

SamTrans bus service, including Redi-Wheels & RediCoast paratransit service, Caltrain commuter rail, and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. https://www.samtrans.com/
San Mateo County’s
Transportation Demand
Management Agency
(Commute.org)
This public agency aims to reduce the number of drive-alone vehicles traveling to, from, or through San Mateo County. Its goal is to help residents and commuters find alternatives to driving alone that are less stressful, less costly, and better for the environment. The agency provides information and commute planning assistance to employees, offers employer programs, and supports city transportation demand management partnerships. https://commute.org/
E.2 Non-Profit Organizations
Organization Description
Acterra
Acterra builds alliances between community residents, local government programs, and community-based organizations in low-income areas in San Mateo County to create resilience against the coming impacts of climate change. https://www.acterra.org/
Building Decarbonization
Coalition
The Building Decarbonization Coalition unites building industry stakeholders with energy providers, environmental organizations, and local governments to help electrify California's homes and workspaces with clean energy.

Through research, policy development, and consumer inspiration, the BDC is pursuing fast, fair action to accelerate the development of zero-emission homes and buildings that will help California cut one of its largest sources of climate pollution, while creating safe, healthy, and affordable communities. www.buildingdecarb.org/

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 74 Business Council on
Climate Change (BC3)
The Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) is a San Francisco-based multi-sector partnership dedicated to incubating, scaling, and sharing worldleading solutions to address climate change. It helps companies pool their buying power to move markets and improve the economics of sustainable purchasing decisions, share knowledge about sustainability programs that work, coordinate multi-company or multi-sector partnerships, and create opportunities for cross-sector dialogue to advance Bay Area climate policy. https://www.bc3sfbay.org/
GRID Alternatives The nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, GRID develops and implements solar projects that serve low-income households and communities. The organization partners with affordable housing organizations, job training groups, government agencies, municipalities, utilities, tribes, and local communities to make solar a win for everyone. https://gridalternatives.org/ Joint Venture: Silicon Valley
Network
Established in 1993, Joint Venture provides analysis and action on issues affecting the Silicon Valley economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor, and the broader community—to spotlight issues, launch projects, and work toward innovative solutions. Joint Venture is actively involved in Silicon Valley's regional response to climate change. It is engaged with dozens of regional and local public and private agencies, municipalities, businesses, and other stakeholders in programs and activities designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promote sustainable energy, and improve the quality of life for all. www.jointventure.org Peninsula Interfaith Climate
Action
Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action (PICA) is a Regional Working Group of California Interfaith Power and Light. To carry forward this local interfaith approach, PICA was formed in 2014 with members from about a dozen congregations from the San Francisco Bay Peninsula area, including Trinity Episcopal in Menlo Park and the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City. PICA members work to reduce the carbon footprint at their facilities by sharing information and best practices on energy, water, and resource conservation. https://www.interfaithpower.org/get-involved-3/pica/ Rising Sun Center for
Opportunity
Rising Sun runs Climate Careers, a summer youth employment and residential water and energy efficiency program in the Bay Area. Climate Careers hires young people (ages 15 to 22) to become Energy Specialists, serving their communities with a free Green House Call. Energy Specialists perform audits, install free energy and water saving devices, and provide personalized recommendations and education for further savings in the home. Climate Careers was designed to serve hard-to-reach residents including renters, nonEnglish speaking households, and low- to moderate-income households. https://risingsunopp.org/
San Mateo County
Association
of Realtors (SAMCAR) SAMCAR is a trade association organized to ensure professionalism, protect property rights, promote the ownership of real property, and help members achieve success. https://www.samcar.org/

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 75 San Mateo County
Economic Development
Agency (SAMCEDA) SAMCEDA was founded in 1953 to promote business issues that enhance and sustain the economic prosperity of our region and its local communities. https://www.samceda.org/
Sustainable San Mateo
County (SSMC)
SSMC supports multiple programs to promote energy efficiency, alternative transportation, and education on sustainability concepts that focus on the intersections of the environment, economy, and social equity. SSMC’s core programs include an Indicators Report that has been produced annually since 1997 and the Sustainable San Mateo County Awards Event, which has been held annually since 1999. The most recent Indicators Report can be found online at: https://sustainablesanmateo.org/home/indicators/ Sustainable Silicon Valley
(SSV)
SSV is a collaboration of businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations that are identifying and addressing environmental and resource pressures in Silicon Valley. As its first initiative, SSV engages Silicon Valley organizations to work towards a goal of reducing regional carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. SSV’s Net Positive Bay Area 2050 goals are to: 1) produce more renewable energy than we consume, 2) sequester more carbon than we emit, and 3) optimize water resources to ensure water resilience. Their current strategy focuses on facilitating measure projects, education, events, and polices that deliver solutions by activating SSV’s member network to reach the Net Positive Bay Area goals. www.sustainablesv.org
Thrive, The Alliance for
Nonprofits of San Mateo
County
A robust, trusted network of 200+ nonprofit organizations, government entities, foundations, businesses, and community leaders with a shared commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector, thereby improving the quality of life in San Mateo County. Thrive unites the voice and influence of nonprofits, helps build their capacity, and enables effective cross-sector collaboration. https://www.thrivealliance.org/

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 76 F. Summary of Funding Sources
For implementation of the CAP, Atherton must evaluate strategies for financing climate protection actions and provide adequate, reliable, and consistent long-term program funding. This appendix provides an overview of available funding sources to help determine appropriate potential program funding sources and funding levels to support existing and new programs outlined in this plan. Other funding sources may be available that are not listed here.

F.1 Federal Funding
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants
Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that in fiscal year 2020 over $1 billion will be available for transportation projects that “have significant local or regional impact.” Cities can apply for a BUILD grant to fund road, rail, transit, and port projects. In the first two years of the BUILD Grants Program, other cities in California were awarded grants for zero-emission, battery-electric buses and chargers, as well as roadway improvements to enhance walkability and bikeability.

F.2 State Funding
Energy Conservation Assistance Act (ECAA) Program Loans http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/index.html Since 1979, more than $399 million has been allocated to more than 850 recipients through ECAA Program Loans. The program offers loans with a one percent interest rate to finance energy efficiency improvements. The maximum loan amount is $3 million per application. Eligible projects include lighting system upgrades, pumps and motors, streetlights and LED traffic signals, energy management systems and equipment controls, building insulation, energy generating infrastructure including renewable and combined heat and power projects, HVAC equipment, water and waste water treatment equipment, and load shifting projects.

F.3 Utility Programs
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers a full suite of energy efficiency rebates to support its customers in saving energy and money.

Rebates
For households: https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/savings-solutions-andrebates/rebates-by-product/rebates-by-product.page? For small and medium businesses: https://www.pge.com/en_US/business/save-energy-money/businesssolutions-and-rebates/product-rebates/product-rebates.page For large businesses: https://www.pge.com/en_US/large-business/save-energy-and-money/business-solutionsand-rebates/product-rebates.page

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 77 0% interest Financing
For businesses: https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/save-energy-and-money/energy-efficiencyfinancing.page F.4 Other Funding Opportunities
American Forests Global ReLeaf Grant Program
http://www.americanforests.org/discover-american-forests/our-work/ American Forests is a non-profit organization founded in 1875 that promotes forest conservation. American Forest’s Global ReLeaf Program provides grants to fund tree-planting projects in urban and natural areas.

Funding and Financing Climate Action Plans Report
https://www.usdn.org/uploads/cms/documents/usdn_funding_financing_climate_action_final_report.pdf Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and HIP Investor developed comprehensive financing and funding analysis for six USDN member cities and created a guide to assist other cities in performing similar work in future Climate Action Plan updates. The report builds on the Financing Sustainable Cities Scan and Toolkit, an actionoriented “how-to toolkit” for Chief Sustainability Officers and Chief Financial Officers to catalog implementable and emerging funding mechanisms that can support cities striving towards bold climate action and sustainability goals.

The toolkit includes a scan report, infographic of finance options, and conference agenda.

Large Landscape Audit
http://bawsca.org/conserve/programs/audits
BAWSCA and its participating member agencies offer this audit program to select large landscapes within the service area free of charge. This program includes the development and monthly distribution of landscape water budgets for selected accounts and actual large landscape surveys to assess landscape watering needs. A key component of the program is ongoing monitoring/tracking of actual water use and estimated water savings for the sites surveyed. For water conservation related questions, please call (650) 349-3000 or send an email to [email protected]. Also check with your local water company; some offer water audits for no charge.

Waste Audits by Recology
https://www.recology.com/index.php/commercial-beyond-the-cart/84-commercial Recology offers a free waste audit to its business customers. A Waste Zero Specialist will come to your facility to advise you on the size/type of bins you could use and make other recommendations to help you reduce the amount of waste generated. To make an appointment, call (650) 595-3900.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 78 G. Adaptation Planning for Climate Impacts
Effective adaptation planning and management entails dealing with uncertainty. It is a long-term process that should allow immediate action when necessary and adjust to changing conditions and new knowledge. Atherton plans to initiate an inclusive planning process that ensures the resulting actions are feasible and widely accepted.

Adaptation will likely be an ongoing process of planning, prioritization, and specific project implementation.

Five important steps to effective adaptation planning are summarized below:

1. Increase Public Awareness, Engage and Educate the Community It is critical that the public understand the magnitude of the challenge and why action is needed. It is also important for the community to be aware of win-win opportunities that can improve quality of life, protect community members, and potentially generate more jobs. The planning process should be inclusive of all stakeholders. Local outreach campaigns are needed to promote awareness of the dangers of heat exposure, flooding, wildfires, and recommend low-cost and low-GHG adaptation strategies. These efforts should leverage similar efforts undertaken at the regional, state, and federal levels. The efforts should be inclusive of community organizations (especially those with socially vulnerable community members), and include community needs early on in the process.

2. Assess Vulnerability
Understanding vulnerability to sea-level rise and other climate change impacts is critical to developing adaptation effective strategies. A detailed vulnerability analysis should be performed to assess potential climate change impacts to infrastructure and natural systems. Climate Ready SMC has developed an interactive map of climate impacts for all cities and unincorporated County. Assets and infrastructure can be overlaid with individual or multiple climate impacts to project their future vulnerability. The map includes critical infrastructure, socially vulnerable communities, and health facilities to allow for rapid vulnerability analysis. For example, cities can engage with city staff and community members to "groundtruth" data assumptions based on current observations. Often the people who live and work in the areas modeled can add valuable details, nuance, and missing information to assist Planners. Level of risk can be categorized in terms of likelihood of damage within the forecasting period and the severity of the damages. This allows planners to prioritize their response to climate change over time, known as the adaptation pathway approach. The vulnerability assessment can also provide a framework for agency and community education and participation, feed into other planning documents, and identify funding needs.

3. Establish Goals, Criteria, and Planning Principles
Engage with stakeholders to establish planning priorities, determine decision criteria, and build community support for taking action. Include community-based organizations in this process to ensure that these priorities and criteria will reflect their needs as well. Rank physical and natural assets for preservation efforts. Where possible, look for situations where a mitigation action has adaptation cobenefits (e.g., planting trees to reduce urban heat islands while sequestering carbon and providing habitat).

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix 79

4. Develop Adaptation Plan
Identify specific strategies, develop actions and cost estimates, and prioritize actions to increase local resilience of Town infrastructure and critical assets, including community-identified and natural systems like wetlands and urban forests. Look for synergies between natural processes and engineering solutions.

There is a continuum of strategies available to manage climate change impacts. An adaptation plan should include a prioritized list of actions (e.g., projects) with a timeline, capital expenditure plan, and framework for monitoring and adaptive management. Efforts should be made to integrate capital projects, existing infrastructure, emergency planning, and community services.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Adaptive Management
Reassess climate change vulnerabilities on a regular basis and modify actions accordingly. This includes monitoring the effectiveness of current policies, strategies and actions, and keeping up with changing science, funding opportunities, and regulatory actions. When reassessing, consider the most updated science available, and the timing of the impact.

Climate Ready SMC has developed a set of climate adaptation strategies and tools for use in planning. These tools will continue to be updated as new ones are available, including tools for developing climate adaptation plans, incorporating climate adaptation into General Plans, Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, Capital Improvement Plans, and community engagement and social equity. For the latest information on climate impacts and adaptation strategies, visit the Climate Ready SMC site: https://www.smcsustainability.org/climate-ready.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix

SUPPLEMENTARY FINDINGS
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ENDNOTES

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Endnotes
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81 Endnotes
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Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0193841X04264945. 6 Kuo, F.E. and Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Impacts of environment via mental fatigue. Environment & Behavior. 33(4): 543-571.
7 Leyden K. M. (2003). Social Capital and the Built Environment: The Importance of Walkable Neighborhoods. Am. J. Public Health. 93:1546– 1551.
8 CalTrans. (n.d.). SM 101 Express Lanes Project. Retrieved from https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-san-mateo-101- express-lane-project
9 Government of the District of Columbia. (n.d.). Climate Ready DC: The District of Columbia’s Plan to Adapt to a Changing Climate. Retrieved from https://doee.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddoe/service_content/attachments/CRDC-Report-FINAL-Web.pdf. 10 Peninsula Clean Energy. (2020). Used EV Incentives - Peninsula Clean Energy. Retrieved from https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/driveforwardelectric/. 11 Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps. (2017). The Growth of America's Clean Energy & Sustainability Jobs. Retrieved from http://edfclimatecorps.org/sites/edfclimatecorps.org/files/the_growth_of_americas_clean_energy_and_sustainability_jobs.pdf. 12 Delucchi, M., Wang, Q. and Sperlin, D. (1989) Electric Vehicles: Performance, Life-Cycle Costs, Emissions, and Recharging Requirements.

Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.294.3080&rep=rep1&type=pdf. 13 Wei D., Brugués A., Rose A., et al. (2017). Climate change and the economy in Baja California: Assessment of macroeconomic impacts of the State's Climate Action Plan.Ecological Economics. Volume 131, 2017, Pages 373-388, ISSN 0921-8009. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800915302482 14 U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Administration. (1998). Method for Calculating Carbon Sequestration by Trees in Urban and Suburban Settings. Retrieved from https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/method-calculating-carbon-sequestration-trees-urbanand-suburban-settings.pdf 15 County of San Mateo County Manager’s Office. (2019, Sept 17). Board of Supervisors Declare Climate Emergency in San Mateo County.

Retrieved from https://cmo.smcgov.org/blog/2019-09-17/board-supervisors-declare-climate-emergency-san-mateo-county 16 ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability. (n.d.). Climate Equity. Retrieved from https://icleiusa.org/programs/climate-equity/ 17 Roberts, D. (2017). Wealthier people produce more carbon pollution — even the “green” ones. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/12/1/16718844/green-consumers-climate-change 18 ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability. (n.d.). Five Milestones of Emissions Management. Retrieved from http://icleiusa.org/programs/emissions-management/5-milestones/http://icleiusa.org/programs/emissions-management/5-milestones/. 19 Urban Sustainability Directors Network. (2017, May). Guide to Equitable, Community-Driven Climate Preparedness Planning. Retrieved from https://www.usdn.org/uploads/cms/documents/usdn_guide_to_equitable_community-driven_climate_preparedness-_high_res.pdf. 20 UCLA Center for Climate Science. (2018). Climate Change in the Sierra Nevada. Retrieved from https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wpcontent/uploads/UCLA-CCS-Climate-Change-Sierra-Nevada.pdf 21 Ibid.
22 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment: San Francisco Bay Area Region Report. 2019. Retrieved from https://climateassessment.ca.gov/regions/
23 Peterson, M. (2018, Oct 22). Investigation Finds Home Can Be the Most Dangerous Place in a Heat Wave. KQED. Retrieved from https://www.kqed.org/science/1933237/investigation-finds-home-can-be-the-most-dangerous-place-in-a-heat-wave 24 Climate Ready San Mateo County Coastal and Inland Flooding Factsheet (2020). https://climatereadysmc.org/ 25 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment: San Francisco Bay Area Region Report. 2019. Retrieved from https://climateassessment.ca.gov/regions/

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Endnotes
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document.
82 26 Sea Change San Mateo County. (n.d.). Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment – Sea Change San Mateo County. Retrieved from http://seachangesmc.org/vulnerability-assessment/.
27 Ibid.
28 California Natural Resources Agency and California Ocean Protection Council. (2018). State of California Sea-Level Rise Guidance: 2018 Update. Retrieved from http://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/ftp/pdf/agenda_items/20180314/Item3_Exhibit-A_OPC_SLR_Guidance-rd3.pdf 29 State of California. (2018). California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Retrieved from http://climateassessment.ca.gov/ 30 Ibid.
31 Ibid.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid.
34 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (n.d.). Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Retrieved from https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoff-faq.page. 35 American Meteorological Society. (2018). Explaining Extreme Events from a Climate Perspective. Retrieved from https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/publications/bulletin-of-the-american-meteorological-society-bams/explaining-extreme-events-from-aclimate-perspective/. 36 Lawrence, D.F., et al. (2004, Aug). Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. Am J Prev Med.27(2):87-96. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15261894/. 37 Sallis, J.F., Linton, L.S., Kraft M.K., et al. (2009, Feb 1). Active Living Research Program. Am J Prev Med. Retrieved from https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2009/02/the-active-living-research-program.html. 38 California Air Resources Board. (2017). The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update: The Proposed Strategy for Achieving California's 2030 Greenhouse Gas Target. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/2030sp_pp_final.pdf. 39 County of San Mateo. (2019). Board of Supervisors Declare Climate Emergency in San Mateo County. Retrieved from https://cmo.smcgov.org/blog/2019-09-17/board-supervisors-declare-climate-emergency-san-mateo-county. 40 Executive Department State of California. (2019). Executive Order B-55-18 to Achieve Carbon Neutrality. Retrieved from https://www.ca.gov/archive/gov39/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/9.10.18-Executive-Order.pdf. 41 C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. (2020). Consumption-Based GHG Emissions of C40 Cities. Retrieved from https://www.c40.org/researches/consumption-based-emissions. 42 PPIC Water Policy Center. (2016). Energy and Water Use in California are Interconnected. Retrieved from https://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/report/R_1016AER.pdf
43 California Air Resources Board. (2019). Sales of electric cars breaking records in California. Retrieved from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/sales-electric-cars-breaking-records-california 44 California Energy Commission. Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.energy.ca.gov/datareports/energy-insights/zero-emission-vehicle-and-charger-statistics# 45 EPA. (2019). The 2019 Automotive Trends Report. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends/highlights-automotive-trendsreport 46 California Integrated Waste Management Board (2009, Aug). California 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization Study. Retrieved from www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/WasteCharacterization/PubExtracts/2009023/Summary.pdf. 47 NOAA. (n.d.). Ocean-Atmosphere Co2 Exchange. Retrieved from https://sos.noaa.gov/datasets/ocean-atmosphere-co2-exchange/. 48 Project Drawdown. (2020). Table of Solutions. Retrieved from https://drawdown.org/solutions/table-of-solutions. 49 Uhlenhuth K. (2015, Jan 27). How crop waste could become carbon-negative energy. Energy News. Retrieved from https://energynews.us/2015/01/27/midwest/how-crop-waste-could-become-carbon-negative-energy/ 50 Jones C., & Kammen D. (2015). A Consumption-Based Greenhouse Gas Inventory of San Francisco Bay Area Neighborhoods, Cities and Counties: Prioritizing Climate Action for Different Locations. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2sn7m83z. 51 Ibid.
52 Bositis, D. A. (2010). Opinion of African Americans on Climate Change and 2010 Midterm Elections: The Results of a Multi-State Poll. The View from Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and South Carolina. Washington, DC: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Retrieved from http://jcpes.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/pollfinal.pdf. 53 Pachamama Alliance. (2020 Jan 29). Four Levels of Action with Will Grant. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/PachamamaAlliance/videos/four-levels-of-action-with-willgrant/3650624068311455/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos. 54 UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. (2019). California Building Decarbonization: Workforce Needs and Recommendations. Retrieved from https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/California_Building_Decarbonization.pdf.

Town of Atherton 2023 Climate Action Plan’s Technical Appendix Endnotes
Error! No text of specified style in
document.
83 55 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).(n.d.). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report: Global Warming of

1.5ºC. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/.
56 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2018. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-02/documents/us-ghg-inventory-2020-chapter-2-trends.pdf. 57 Ibid.
58 Ibid.
59 California Air Resources Board. (2019). California Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2000 to 2017. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/pubs/reports/2000_2016/ghg_inventory_trends_00-16.pdf. 60 California Energy Commission. Renewables Portfolio Standard – RPS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-andtopics/programs/renewables-portfolio-standard. 61“ California Air Resources Board. (2020). Cap-and-Trade Program. Retrieved from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm. 62 Schiller, B. (2014, August 26). 4 Scenarios Show What Climate Change Will Do To The Earth, From Pretty Bad to Disaster. Fast Company.

Retrieved from: https://www.fastcompany.com/3034316/4-scenarios-show-what-climate-change-will-do-to-the-earth-from-pretty-bad-todisaster 63 Hausfather, Z. (2019, August 21). Explainer: The high-emissions ‘RCP8.5’ global warming scenario. CarbonBrief. Retrieved from:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-the-high-emissions-rcp8-5-global-warming-scenario 64 Climate Action Tracker (2020, December) Paris Agreement turning point. Retrieved from:
https://climateactiontracker.org/documents/829/CAT_2020-12-01_Briefing_GlobalUpdate_Paris5Years_Dec2020.pdf 65 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 13. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg13.
66 County of San Mateo. (2019). Retrieved from https://cmo.smcgov.org/blog/2019-09-17/board-supervisors-declare-climate-emergency-sanmateo-county. 67 Stuart G. Sustaining Community. (2014, Feb 14). What is the Spectrum of Public Participation? Retrieved from https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/spectrum-of-public-participation/ 68 Feiden, W. (2018). Building Sustainability and Resilience into Local Planning Agencies. 69 Climate Health Action. (2019). U.S. Call to Action on Climate, Health, and Equity: A Policy Action Agenda. Retrieved from https://climatehealthaction.org/media/cta_docs/US_Call_to_Action.pdf. 70 Urban Habitat. (2015). Six Wins for Social Equity Network. (2015). Re: Public Participation Plan for Plan Bay Area 2017. Retrieved from https://www.urbanhabitat.org/campaigns/6-wins-social-equity-network 71 Bergstrom D.
72 Urban Habitat. (2015). Six Wins for Social Equity Network. (2015). Re: Public Participation Plan for Plan Bay Area 2017. Retrieved from https://www.urbanhabitat.org/campaigns/6-wins-social-equity-network 73 PolicyLink. (2018). Community Engagement & Participation Checklist: Addressing Disparities for Healthier Places. Retrieved from http://www.policylink.org/sites/default/files/COMMUNITY%20ENGAGEMENT%20CHECKLIST.pdf 74 City of Salinas. (2016). Economic Development Element (EDE). Retrieved from http://businessinsalinas.com/About-Us/Proposed-GeneralPlan-Economic-Development-Element.aspx. 75 PolicyLink. (2018). Community Engagement & Participation Checklist: Addressing Disparities for Healthier Places. Retrieved from http://www.policylink.org/sites/default/files/COMMUNITY%20ENGAGEMENT%20CHECKLIST.pdf 76 City of Salinas. (2016). Economic Development Element (EDE). Retrieved from http://businessinsalinas.com/About-Us/Proposed-GeneralPlan-Economic-Development-Element.aspx. 77 Ibid.
78 Bergstrom D.
79 PolicyLink. (2018). Community Engagement & Participation Checklist: Addressing Disparities for Healthier Places. Retrieved from http://www.policylink.org/sites/default/files/COMMUNITY%20ENGAGEMENT%20CHECKLIST.pdf 80 Vanderwarker A., Eng, T., Early, D., et al. (2018). SB 1000 Implementation Toolkit (p. 176). California Environmental Justice Alliance. 81 Walker, C., et al. (2012). City of Napa Sustainability Plan. 103. 82 City of Oakland. (2020). East Oakland Neighborhoods Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/east-oaklandneighborhoods-initiative.

Notice of Exemption
To: Office of Planning and Research From: Town of Atherton 1400 Tenth Street, Room 121 80 Fair Oaks Lane
Sacramento, CA 95814 Atherton, CA 94072
(650) 752-0577
County Clerk
County of San Mateo
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665
Project Title: Town of Atherton Climate Action Plan
Project Location – Specific: Town of Atherton, CA.

Project Location – City: Town of Atherton Project Location – County: San Mateo County Description of Nature, Purpose, and Beneficiaries of Project:

The project consists of adopting a Climate Action Plan for the Town of Atherton which outlines the strategy for reducing the Town’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Name of Public Agency Approving Project: Town of Atherton Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out Project: Town of Atherton Exempt Status: (check one)
Ministerial (Sec. 21080(b)(1); 15268);
Declared Emergency (Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a));
Emergency Project (Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c));
Categorical Exemption. State type and section number: 15262 (Planning and Feasibility Studies), 15061(b)(3) (No Possibility of Significant Effect), 15306 (Information Collection), 15307 (Protection of Natural Resources) and 15308 (Protection of the Environment).

Statutory Exemptions. State code number:

Reasons why project is exempt:

The proposed project is the adoption of an update to a planning document in accordance with the State’s Global Warming Solutions Act (State Assembly Bill 32 passed in September 2007, Senate Bill 32 passed in September 2016), and Executive Order B-55-18 signed in 2018). The project was designed to avoid and minimize environmental effects and/or protect natural resources and the environment.

Lead Agency
Contact Person: Rachael Londer Area Code/Telephone/Extension: (650) 752-0577

Signature: Date: Title: ________________
Signed by Lead Agency Date received for filing at OPR:

Signed by Applicant

10 Camino Por Los Arboles
Atherton, CA 94027
October 1, 2023
Atherton City Council
80 Fair Oaks Lane
Atherton, CA 94027
Dear Council Members:

I am aware that a special study session has been scheduled for this Wednesday, October 4, to review Atherton’s proposed Climate Action Plan (“Plan”). I have actually read all 113 pages and find some provisions of the Energy Section, in particular, to be beyond what Atherton residents would likely support and, in fact, to probably be illegal in some instances. I will explain later.

I doubt that there is a person in Atherton, myself included, that doesn’t believe in climate change nor the need to alter our energy use. The Plan, however, is heavily dependent on a PG&E infrastructure that would enable significantly greater electric consumption. Today, that does not exist. It is unlikely by 2030. PG&E can’t even support summer air conditioning. Here is a PG&E “reality check”: the electric transponder behind my Adam Way construction project was not capable of supporting two houses: ours and the one behind us. Just to get temporary power, my husband and I waited 5 months for a new transponder to be installed, and that transponder is not adequate to provide 600 amps of service to our new house and the adjacent one. It will only support one house: the neighbor’s. We are now waiting another year for a second transponder to be installed for our project. That is merely the infrastructure required for two new homes. What will be required for 2,200 Atherton houses to meet your 2030 and 2045 goals? It is ludicrous to think that Atherton can adopt widespread electric conversion without significant PG&E upgrades --- even for remodels. Atherton homes that used to take 200 amps of power now need up to 600 amps for larger-sized replacement houses and modern use. A small electrical upgrade from 100 to 200 amps costs the homeowner $30,000 or more in electrician charges. Upgrades to 600 amps are exponentially higher.

I have a current upgrade underway in Redwood City. It’s costing me $27,000 to upgrade electric service in a 1,500 SF home, and I’m only upgrading from 100 to 200 amps. This does not include permit costs. As you are contemplating Plan goals, are you giving any thought as to what is actually required, how the goal will be implemented and the cost to residents?
Tom Friedman hypothesizes that it will take 50+ years to improve the nation’s infrastructure such that we can convert from fossil fuels to alternative energies such as all-electric homes and vehicles. One of the first commercially-available electric cars sits in The Tech Museum. It sold in 1899 to a Woodside resident. That was 124 years ago, and we are just now truly adopting electric cars. In consumer electronics, technology is usually available 30+ years before widespread adoption is feasible. The upgrades to the electric infrastructure that are needed to implement Bay Area climate action goals will not happen by 2030 nor 2045, nor do I think that Atherton residents have any intention of retrofitting their existing homes to the level that you are suggesting within this time period. While the Plan’s overarching goals are worthy, they may not be realistic.

What I find most objectionable about the Plan is the total avoidance of the recent ninth circuit court ruling in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley. You are well aware that the ruling was based on provisions of the federal government’s Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) which, among other things, mandates that at least two energy sources be available to property owners: a primary and an optional source.

Access to both sources must be available throughout an entire building. While the City Council may mandate all-electric homes in Atherton, that is not consistent with current federal law nor recent court rulings. In fact, the city had a responsibility after the Berkeley ruling to announce that Atherton’s gas ban was rescinded. Page 116 of 150 There was no such public announcement, and there can be no conclusion other than city staff knowingly deciding not to advertise the Berkeley ruling in the hope that residents and builders would think the gas ban is still in effect. It is not. Further, it should be the prerogative of homeowners, not the City Council nor city staff, to decide if they want an all-electric home. Atherton residents have been very clear: they do not want to lose their electric stoves and fireplaces, in particular, yet the proposed Plan largely ignores this.

Let me be specific as to what concerns me most about the proposed Climate Action Plan:

1. In Sections E1 and E1.1, you are mandating that new construction be all-electric by 2030 (or earlier), at a time when EPCA is likely to still be the “law of the land”. This provision of the Plan is illegal until EPCA is amended or replaced. That is improbable in the next 8 years due to national defense concerns over a highly vulnerable electric grid and a lack of alternative energy infrastructure. You may certainly express that the all-electric home is a goal, with appropriate incentives. You can also explore electricpreferred codes, but you may not legally require all-electric construction while EPCA “rules”.

2. Also in Section E1.1, you recommend charging higher permit fees for gas vs. electric. I presume that this is the electric “incentive” that you reference in Section E1. If so, it is ill-conceived. Permit fees are based on level of effort and time spent in the permitting process. There is NO DIFFERENCE in the level of effort nor the time spent in issuing a gas-included permit versus all-electric. Today, they are bundled. This “goal” is merely a thinly veiled attempt to discourage gas use. Under California law, fees must be justified. How are you going to justify a higher gas fee when there’s absolutely no difference in the permitting process vis-à-vis electric? You can’t --- and state law requires justification of higher fees for comparable services.

3. The Plan aspires to 26% of Atherton homes being all-electric by 2030 and 78% by 2045. This is to be achieved through electric upgrades associated with major remodeling, gas appliance conversions and potential ordinances regarding home sales. Do you seriously intend to mandate that a homeowner must retrofit their home for all-electric use before they can sell it? What gives you the legal right to dictate such and how do you plan to “police” this? Even exploring a city ordinance that would mandate “all-electric” sales goes way too far and is likely illegal. The “sale provision”, if adopted, would mean that any new home being built now --- with gas-approved stoves and fireplaces --- would need to be retrofitted within 20 years to be all-electric. It would apply to our Adam Way project which has gas fireplaces in the main house, a gas stove and a gas barbeque. The house won’t even be completed until late 2024 --- with approved gas plans and permits --- yet it would need to be retrofitted within 20 years if it were sold. This is insane.

I need not remind you that any significant upgrade of electrical services at a given property will require PG&E’s involvement. You need several applications (not just one), design drawings, load calculations, service panel upgrades, hefty fee payments and a likely transformer replacement. This now takes as much as one year of work with a PG&E representative, as well as PG&E’s engineering department. I fear that you are recommending (or mandating) electric conversions in the Plan without any idea of what “real world” implementation looks like, how long it takes and what it costs. Are you going to tell a homeowner that they may need to go through a one-year utility upgrade before they can remodel or sell their home if they are not already all-electric? If these goals were implemented today, a one-year PG&E wait would be realistic.

4. You are potentially requiring that HVAC systems, hot water heaters, stovetops and other gas appliances be replaced with electric ones at time of replacement, time of major home renovation, or contingent with a home sale. Unless California passes a law banning the sale of all gas appliances, I don’t know how you plan to implement this. You don’t need a permit to replace an appliance, so how do you know that a gas stove isn’t replaced with a gas stove? Frankly, it will be. Until California bans all gas appliances, Atherton has no legal right to do tell me that I have to replace my gas stove or my Page 117 of 150 gas fireplace with an electric one nor do I intend to do so. In fact, my gas stove and gas fireplace were the only things that kept us warm and provided a cooking means when we experienced a three-day electric outage this past winter.

While you want all gas appliances to be replaced with electric ones, what if there’s no available 220v electrical outlet installed at the appliance location or if there’s no available service panel capacity? Does the homeowner need to bust through the walls to add electrical wiring and add a dedicated circuit to their service panel or replace the panel if blank circuits don’t exist? I have actually been quite surprised to discover how many electric service panels have no additional capacity as we have been remodeling homes in Southern California and Idaho the past 6 years. We have had to replace 100% of the service panels. A service panel upgrade is a major undertaking and requires public utility approval and inspection. It’s also expensive and a lengthy utility company process (months). You may want to consider mandating appliance conversions if existing service panel capacity is capable of such, although I still don’t know how you are going to “police” this.

While I have challenged certain provisions in E1 and E2, there are Plan recommendations that have merit:
the public awareness and educational provisions, the proposed communication and coordination with PG&E, website links to information and resources, and the adoption of recommendations in city-owned facilities and vehicles. At the end of the day though, while federal law still prevails and electric capacity and infrastructure are lacking, it should be left up to the Atherton homeowner to choose to implement Atherton’s Climate Action Plan recommendations or not. Even the State of California hasn’t gone as far as this Plan reaches. It’s one thing to have “reach” goals. It’s quite another to have well-intentioned but impractical (or illegal) mandates. Atherton residents do not support all-electric mandates. The Energy sections of this Plan need further work.

Respectfully,
Carol Flaherty
CC: George Rodericks

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
UPDATE

ATHERTON CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 4, 2023

Study Session Objective
• Review and discuss the 2023 Climate Action Plan
Update
• Adopt CAP as an update to the 2016 CAP and
Authorize Submittal of CEQA Notice of Exemption
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
WHAT'S NEW?
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATES
• A vision for a carbon-neutral Atherton with two
key milestones:
⚬ 49% reduction of 2005 levels by 2030
(equivalent to a 40% reduction of 1990
levels) aligning with SB 32 (2016)
⚬ 100% reduction of 2005 levels by 2045
aligning with B-55-18 (2018) and AB 1279
- California Climate Crisis Act (2022)
• Expanded our objectives and strategies to
achieve these more ambitious goals including
adding Carbon Sequestration as a focus area
• Introduced strategies to reduce emissions
from consumption

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
2019 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION INVENTORY
Residenti
Residential
46%

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

NEW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN DASHBOARD
www.tinyurl.com/AthertonCA
P

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
ENERGY
E
1 E
2 E
3 Objectiv
e
Electrify existing
buildings
Electrify new
construction
Promote use of clean
energy
2030
Goal
Maintain Peninsula Clean
Energy's (PCE) opt-out rates at
3%
100% of new construction is allelectric
26% of existing buildings are
electrified
2045
Goal
Maintain a 3% or less opt out
rate
78% of existing buildings are
electric
Maintain 100% of new construction as
all- electric
Left: Heat pump water heater, Right: Heat pump HVAC system The sale of new NOx-emitting natural gas furnaces and water heaters will be phased out over time in the Bay Area, beginning with water heaters in 2027 (per BAAQMD’s amendment to Regulation 9, Rules 4 and 6).

E1. ELECTRIFY NEW CONSTRUCTION
Provide incentives and compliance pathways for new construction to be electric Explore electric-preferred or electric required reach codes, increased permitting fees for natural gas infrastructure and equipment, increased requirements through CEQA, and compliance based on emissions per project.

Encourage building all-electric
Conduct an educational campaign to promote the benefits and versatility of electrification using case studies, guides, and resources from Countywide programs.

KEY STRATEGIES
Ample programs available offering financial incentives and technical/engineering support to help electrify buildings

E2. ELECTRIFY EXISTING BUILDINGS
Provide financial incentives, technical support, and education to support the transition from gas to electric appliances including air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric dryers, and electric stoves
Work with Peninsula Clean Energy and PG&E, regional climate programs like RICAPS, and local installers to create an Electrification Support Hub to provide technical and financial support to residents, organizations, and businesses needing to replace gas appliances upon burnout. Promote incentives provided by PCE, PG&E, and other entities (like federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)) to assist with all-electric appliance replacements and the upgrade of electric panels to accommodate all-electric technologies including solar PV, battery storage, and electric vehicle chargers.

Create policies to advance the adoption of electric appliances and systems in existing buildings Explore electrification ordinances requiring:
• Replacement of HVAC systems, hot water heaters, stovetops, and other appliances be all-electric at time of replacement, upon major renovation, and at time of sale for residential buildings. • All buildings be electric-ready at the time of retrofit. • All air conditioning units to be replaced with heat pumps at time of burn out. • Solar and battery storage installations, if feasible.

KEY STRATEGIES

Maintain Town-wide participation in Peninsula Clean Energy Work with PCE to conduct an annual analysis of non-PCE usage rates in the Town to understand why residents and businesses opt out of PCE or use direct access electricity.

Raise community awareness of Peninsula Clean Energy
Collaborate with PCE and community-based organizations to conduct educational outreach to maintain the reduced opt-out rate levels.

E3. PROMOTE USE OF CLEAN ENERGY

KEY STRATEGIES

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

TRANSPORTATION
Featured photos: Residents exploring different options for bicycles, electric vehicle chargers at Town Center, and a digital rendering of SamTrans' fleet which will be all electric by 2034.

Decarbonize the Town's vehicle fleet
Prioritize the purchase of electric vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles where they meet the operational requirements of the Police Department. Encourage staff to drive minimally and efficiently, where feasible and need dependent. Adopt a City Council ordinance for full fleet electrification by 2030.

Coordinate regionally on decarbonizing delivery trucks
Collaborate with San Mateo County jurisdictions to establish a regional licensing fee for commercial delivery vehicles operating on fossil fuels to provide funding for new active transportation and EV charging infrastructure.

T1. DECARBONIZE PASSENGER & COMMERCIAL

VEHICLES AND OFF ROAD EQUIPMENT

KEY STRATEGIES

T2. PROMOTE TRIP REDUCTIONS, BIKING,

WALKING, ROLLING, AND TAKING TRANSIT

THROUGH AND IN TOWN
Improve infrastructure for biking and walking through Town Implement the Town's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan including expanding the bikeway network by 10.5 miles. Commit staff time to apply for and manage grants.

Participate and promote a program to help reduce single occupant vehicle commutes
Partner with Commute.org Trip Reduction Programs to provide Town employees and community members a suite of resources for sustainable commuting including rideshare programs, shuttles, route planning, and incentives.

KEY STRATEGIES

SOLID WASTE
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
W
1 W
2 W
3 Objectiv
e
Eliminate single use
plastics
Promote waste diversion
through home composting,
reducing, reusing, and
recycling
Implement SB 1383
requirements to divert
organic waste, reduce
inorganic waste, and
procure compost.
2030
Goal
Reduce all waste by
35%
Reduce community-wide landfilled
organics 75% by 2025 and maintain,
apply 600 tons of compost to land
areas throughout the community
Achieve zero plastic waste in
municipal operations
2045
Goal
Achieve zero plastic waste in
the community
Reduce all waste by 90% by
2040
Reduce all community-wide landfilled
waste by 90%, apply 659 tons of
compost to land areas throughout the
community
Featured photos: Pilot to apply compost on San Mateo County farmlands to meet our SB 1383 goals, providing opportunities to properly dispose of and reuse items through community events, and an example of reusable foodware for school lunches

W1. IMPLEMENT SB 1383 REQUIREMENTS TO

DIVERT ORGANIC WASTE, REDUCE INORGANIC
WA S T E , A N D P R O C U R E C O M P O S T.

Form SB 1383 Partnerships
Establish partnerships with institutions and businesses who are major generators of food waste, track major updates and metrics for success annually.

Conduct waste characterization studies
Leverage study to understand the waste stream and create a plan to increase diversion and reduce contamination. Conduct outreach based on specific opportunities and needs identified through study.

KEY STRATEGIES

W2. ELIMINATE SINGLE USE PLASTICS
Form SB 1383 Partnerships
Establish partnerships with institutions and businesses that are major generators of food waste, and track major updates and metrics for success annually.

Conduct waste characterization studies every 4-5 years to inform programs and policies.

Leverage study to understand the waste stream and create a plan to increase diversion and reduce contamination. Conduct outreach based on specific opportunities and needs identified through study.

KEY STRATEGIES

W3. PROMOTE WASTE DIVERSION THROUGH

HOME COMPOSTING, REDUCING, REUSING,

AND RECYCLING
Expand home composting
Explore bulk buying of home composting bins like EarthMachines to support home composting, conducting a multilingual education and outreach campaign to promote home composting. Track distribution of home composting equipment and monitor usage over time.

Strengthen community composting
Increase recycling of all materials by offering two community recycling and/or donation events annually and promoting County Environmental Health's Household Hazardous Waste Program.

KEY STRATEGIES

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND WATER CONSERVATION
C
1 C
2 C
3 C
4 Objectiv
e
Reduce embodied
carbon in building
materials
Conserve water both in
landscaping and in
buildings
Increase the community's
tree canopy
Explore carbon
sequestration opportunities
in the community
2030
Goal
Plant 650
trees
Quantify and pursue
opportunities
Achieve a 20% net reduction of
GHG emissions of building
materials
Gallons used is less than State
guidelines per capita
2045
Goal
Plant 1,500
trees
Maintain or increase 40% reduction
(should be met by 2035 per AB
2446)
Gallons used is less than State
guidelines per capita
Carbon loads that can not be zeroed
will be offset by an array of carbon
sequestration approaches
Featured photos: An Atherton resident's water wise landscape, community tree planting at Holbrook Palmer Park, and the Atherton Library leading by example showcasing low carbon building materials

C1. INCREASE THE COMMUNITY'S TREE
CANOPY
Track data on tree health
Survey and collect data on existing trees, including tree maintenance and replacement.

Maintain urban tree canopy
Dedicate staff time and resources to maintaining urban tree canopy (pruning, replacement, and preservation)

KEY STRATEGIES

C2. EXPLORE CARBON SEQUESTRATION

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY
Identify emergent carbon sequestration opportunities
Conduct a carbon sequestration feasibility study by 2030 to identify urban and natural working land opportunities and emergent technology for carbon sequestration within the community.

Identify carbon farming opportunities
Collaborate with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to identify carbon farming opportunities and other carbon
sequestration opportunities within the community.

KEY STRATEGIES

C3. REDUCE EMBODIED CARBON IN BUILDING

MATERIALS
Study Embodied Carbon in Building Stock
Dedicate staff time to data collection of embodied carbon in existing building stock, and future highest value opportunities for carbon sequestration in new construction. Consider municipal procurement policies prioritizing development of buildings that reach the embodied carbon requirements implied under AB 2446.

Explore emergent embodied carbon pilot projects
Explore pilot projects with companies working on embodied carbon materials including cross laminated timber, carbon capture cement, and others, publicizing pilot projects.

KEY STRATEGIES

C4.CONSERVE WATER IN BOTH LANDSCAPING

AND IN BUILDINGS
Promote water conservation incentives and inspire behavior change Make concerted effort to promote and expand the distribution of rebates for water efficient appliances and fixtures, rain barrels, irrigation system, and drought resistant landscapes to both residents and landscape professionals. Educate on conservation mandates and encourage voluntary water conservation measures.

Adopt water conservation ordinance
Adopt, implement, and enforce the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency's (BAWSCA) Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance.

KEY STRATEGIES

SPRINGING INTO ACTION
• Hone in on opportunities with Town
operations
• Deepen partnerships with local
energy programs to support schools
and homeowners
• Expand green landscaping offerings
with compost giveaway, electric leaf
blower rebates, rain barrel rebates,
and more.
• Publicize new data-driven climate
action hub custom for Atherton
community members
• Pursue grant funding and assistance
Residents digging into the self service organic
compost pile at Holbrook Palmer Park
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Engaging residents with data, stories, and
actionable resources

Recommendation
• Review and discuss the 2023 Climate Action Plan
Update
• Adopt Plan as an update to the 2016 Plan and
Authorize Submittal of CEQA Notice of Exemption
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

THANK YOU!
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

SUPPLEMENTAL
SLIDES
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

2016 CLIMATE

ACTION PLAN
• Established a
comprehensive strategy to
reduce GHGs to 15% of
2005 levels (approx. the
equivalent of 1990 levels)
by 2020
• Identified GHG reduction
strategies and
implementation strategies
to achieve GHG reduction
target
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
~13% of our
emissions reductions
Climate Successes
Established organic waste program turning
yard and food waste into compost that is
being used locally
These successes among others led to the Town to exceed it's goal of a 15% reduction from 2005 levels by 2020. The Town's 19% reduction is the equivalent of taking 4,374 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road for !
Joined Peninsula Clean Energy to provide
100% greenhouse gas free electricity to the
community.

Improved bike infrastructure and installed
electric vehicle chargers to promote clean
transporation
~2% of our emissions
reductions
~5% of our emissions
reductions

7% of emissions
reductions will come from
achieving organics
diversion & compost
procurement through SB
1383
24% of emissions
reductions will come from
increasing walking, biking,
riding the bus, and EV
adoption
through Town
Over 60% of emissions
reductions will come
from electrifying all new
buildings and electrifying
78% of existing buildings by
2045

GHG REDUCTION STRATEGIES
Remaining amounts of carbon can be
sequestered through tree planting.

How will Atherton achieve
carbon neutrality by 2045?
2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

The CAP serves as a vision for a climate-neutral community and is aspirational in nature. Completion of all of the strategies in the CAP may not achieve actual zero emissions but will get the Town close.

Some of the strategies may be explored and/or piloted, but ultimately, may not yield the intended results. It is not a requirement that all strategies need to be implemented. There is flexibility. Additionally, each policy recommendation in the CAP will need to go through its own public process.

There will be annual status updates, tracking, monitoring, and reporting in order to assess the plan’s impact.

Optional Statement:

2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE TAKE ACTION COURSE

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION INVENTORY

CAP UPDATE PROCESS
GHG

REDUCTION

STRATEGIES

FORECAST

EXISTING AND PLANNED EFFORTS

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
DRAFT 2023 CAP UPDATE

Peninsula Clean Energy’s Resiliency Plan (January
2020)