To the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date~ !t3{'l-Y,CA ✓ CC ~ /
CM _dACM _u::DCM (3) £
June 13, 2024
Council Memo randum
To:
From: ·
Via:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Pub~orks
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2024043
Re: Climate Action Campaign's Climate Action Plan Report Card, 6th Edition (Districts - All) This memorandum provides background and context to the recently released Climate Action Plan (CAP) Report Card, 6th Edition, prepared by the Climate Action Campaign (CAC).
Background
On June 6, 2024, the CAC released the 6th edition of the CAP Report Card. According to the document, the purpose of the CAP Report Card is to "assess the San Diego region's climate planning and climate action to guide the public and local governments to ... share best pract ices [and] ... increase transparency and accountability." The CAC is a 501(c)(3) corporation formed in 2015 to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The previous CAP Report Card scored the CAP contents (CAP Score) and implementation efforts (Implementation Score) for all jurisdictions in the San Diego region, which were then averaged for an overall score. However, for the 6th edition of the CAP Report Card, the CAC evaluated only implementation efforts.
Discussion
In the 6th edition of the CAP Report Card, the average overall score across nine cities is 65.61. The cities of La Mesa, Encinitas and Carlsbad received the three highest overall scores. The cit ies of Escondido, Chula Vista and San Marcos received the three lowest overall scores.
The City of Carlsbad's CAP implementation ranked third overall, with a score of 70. This was a slight increase from the implementation score of 64 that the city received for the previous edition of the CAP Report Card. Because the CAP Report Card is evaluating the city's existing CAP and reporting methods, Carlsbad's score remained very similar.
For each CAP Report Card, a draft is circulated to jurisdictions to provide city staff with an opportunity to send comments and questions with the CAC reviewers about the scores. This is the fifth report card in which implementation was included, and as with previous years, the city received credit for its CAP monitoring and reporting.
Public Works Branch
Environmen tal Sustainability Departm ent
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2729 t Council Memo - Climate Act ion Campaign's CAP Report Card, 6th Edition (Districts - All) June 13, 2024
After reviewing the draft CAP Report Card, staff requested the CAC reviewers consider several currently active, greenhouse gas (GHG)-reducing initiatives such as the Sustainable Materials Management Plan, Community Forest Management Plan, Sustainable Mobility Plan and Complete Streets policy, which technically fall outside of the CAP. As a result, the CAC increased Carlsbad's score from the draft to the final published version of the CAP Report Card.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to implement the existing CAP as well as pursue GHG-reduction efforts outside of the CAP such as the Sustainable Materials Management Plan, Community Forest Management Plan and Sustainable Mobility Plan.
On April 16, 2024, staff presented the seventh CAP Annual Report to the City Council, which covered implementation of the CAP in 2023. The CAP Update is expected to be presented to the Planning Commission and the City Council in late summer 2024. Once adopted, staff will begin to implement the CAP Update in place of the existing CAP.
Attachment: A. Climate Action Campaign's Climate Action Plan Report Card, 6th Edition cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Gina Herrera, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer
Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Dave Padilla, Interim Utilities Director
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director
James Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director
Katie Hentrich, Senior Program Manager
ATTACHMENT A
CAP Report Card, 6th Edition
/-ebrua,y :LU'L4: (.;/imate Action (.;ampaign
team helping flood-affected Southcrest
residents prepare for additional rainfall.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Local governments must pass and implement bold climate
policies to reach California 's 2045 zero carbon goal. Climate Action Campaign's 6th Edition Climate Action Plan (CAP) Report Card highlights that San Diego cities must update their CAPs with bold strategies and ambitious implementation timelines to reach local and state climate targets . California will fail to meet its ambitious mandates for combating climate change unless the state almost triples its rate of reducing greenhouse gasses through 2030 .
The devastating January 22nd floods are an examp le of
cl imate injust ice that demonst rates how the climate crisis is at our doorstep. 2,400 households were damaged in the floods, impacting 7,750 residents and displacing 1,000 of them. This triggered the City of San Diego to secure $18 million in FEMA aid and the County to provide nearly $30 million in aid. The City continues to offer hotel vouchers, waive property repair costs, supply small business aid, and offer support for basic needs. Our region needs to act together to advocate for sustainable and green infrastructure, specifically by securing funding for stormwater improvements to make San Diego more resilient in the face of inevitable climate impacts.
CAPs must have cl imate justice goals or equity frameworks for CAP strategies. Cities are failing to incorporate and implement equity targets or frameworks within their CAPs, perpetuating decades of underinvestment and leaving frontline communities vulnerable to climate impacts. As demonstrated by this year's 'thousand-year floods,' unjust policies and disinvestment influence which communities experience the brunt of climate impacts . Cities must center communities of concern and local environmental justice groups in their solutions .
Our climate cris is is a public health crisis. Extreme weather events and worsening climate impacts are becoming the new normal, creating immediate hazards to frontline communities . We need to invest in community resilience to protect our health and well-being. Children living in homes with gas stoves have a 42% higher chance of experiencing asthma symptoms. Lower-income and BIPOC communities, relegated to areas adjacent to freeways due to historic redlining practices, bear the brunt of increased air pollution from car exhaust and dust . Living in car - dependent areas leads to seden t ary lifestyles and increased risk for heart disease .
Combating climate change means protecting our families health and reducing community-wide medical costs.
Benchmarks are essential to accurately track implementation progress. We appreciate the City of San Diego's precedent setting agreement to establish annual targets for reducing GHG emissions and encourage other cities to follow suit. If the City of San Diego falls sho rt of these targe t s, it will trigger public discourse, public hearings, and an amendment to the Climate Action Plan {CAP) to identify how the city will realign with its target . Without benchmarks, there is little clarity and accountability on whether CAP implementation is on track to reduce GHG emissions .
SANDAG's regional and city -level greenhouse gas (GHG ) emissions reports are critical tools for accountability.
SANDAG currently supports monitoring city-level CAP
implementation across the County with biannual snaP-shots of GHG emission levels . Tracking GHG emissions is crucial to inform cities how to adjust their CAP strategies if they are not reaching their goals . SANDAG must prioritize securing funding for this monitoring so cities and advocates are fully equipped to fight climate change .
Regional collaboration is necessary to address the climate crisis. SANDAG is leading the charge in developing a Regional CAP in collaboration with cities and CBOs to apply for incoming funds from · the EPA. Once this plan is in effect, cities must collaborate to leverage time, resources, and oppo rtunities to develop and implement programs. Similarly, San Diego Community Power is developing a San Diego Regio nal Energy Network {SOREN) to collaborate regionally and contribute to our local and state energy efficiency and climate goals .
About Climate Action Campaign 04
0 What is a Climate Action Plan? 05
...
C
What is A Climate Action Plan Report Card? 06
Cl)
What to Expect from CAC's 2024 Report Card? 07
.. Implementation Scores 08
C Big Three 09
0 Key Recommendations 10
0 The Cost of Inaction : Stormwater and Equity 12
.. City Highlights 13
0 CAP Status and Updates 23
Cl) Acknowledgemen ts 24
- 25
.a
CAP Grading Criteria
28 a
List of Abbreviations
Term Definitions 29 t- 31 References
ALL-ELECTRIC BUILDINGS
WORLD Lm TRANSIT RESILIENCY
This report card highlights our Five Fights
key climate policy areas we encourage
every municipality to address with
quantifiable, enforceable strategies as part
of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
nLI.
I WHAT IS A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?
Climate Action Plans (CAPs) are comprehensive tools that help local governments mitigate the climate crisis. CAPs provide a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions ("GHGs") by implementing various strategies, goals, actions, and supporting measures .
These long-range planning documents quantify local governments' current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions levels, identify target levels to which they plan to reduce their emissions and chart the strategies and measures that will enable local governments to reduce emissions to their targeted levels . CAPs also consider how state and federal policies will impact local efforts to reach emissions reduction targets.
Typically, CAPs focus on strategies that help reduce emissions from these key categories :
energy, transportation and land use, solid waste, water and wastewa t er, and carbon sequestra t ion. Each City should develop an associated and detailed Implementation Plan that outlines how each strategy within the CAP will be implemented and funded and how the local government will report on that implementation .
CAPs are opportuni t ies for local governments to develop comprehensive climate strategies and implementation plans that meet the scale of the climate crisis and help bring clean air, safe streets, clean energy, affordable homes, and economic benefits to local families and businesses. CAPs can also provide models of bold and equitable climate solutions to be scaled and replicated at all levels of government .
ENCINR"AS/
DELMAR/
crrYOF
SANDIEGO /
- CEQA QUALIFIED CAPS
NOT CEOA QUALIFIED CAPS IMPERIAL
~ ACH ./
SANTEE
ELCAJON
NATIONAL
crrv
44%
OF SAN DIEGO CITIES
AVEALEGALLY
BINDING CAP
WHAT IS A CAP
REPORT CARD?
-
The Climate Action Plan Report Card assesses the San Diego region's climate planning and climate action to guide the public and local governments to:
TAKE TRANSFORMATIVE CLIMATE ACTION;
SHARE BEST PRACTICES;
UNCOVER PATTERNS AND TRENDS ACROSS A VAST AND
SCATTERED SET OF INFORMATION;
AND INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
Through this report, we spur cities to take action and protect our region's future with Climate Action Plans that include ambitious emissions reduction targets and best practices gleaned from models in t he region. We also arm residents in the community with a tool that increases transparency and enables them to hold their local governments accountable for reducing the pollution that causes climate change . Cities are a key component of climate action, and this Report Card is an essential tool that will guide the direction and speed of local policies .
WHAT TO EXPECT
FROM CAC'S 2024
REPORT CARD:
Our 6th Edition CAP Report Card evaluates how well
the top 9 cities are implementing their CAPs, eight of
which are legally binding, as they have the largest
opportunity to reduce GHG emissions . The most
populated cities frequently have a larger impact and
more resources than their smaller counterparts. These
cities have a responsibility to prioritize climate action or risk offloading the burden onto smaller, under
resourced communities .
Previous editions of the report card graded Climate
Action Plans, whereas this iteration focuses on.
implementation efforts . Without implementation,
even legally binding CAPs are merely aspirational
documents, so our rubric is updated to focus on
tangible action in key areas, including climate equity, transportation and land use, and clean energy.
Ultimately, this report card provides cities in the San Diego region with data-driven best practices to
enforce comprehensive plans that reflect the current
state of implementation and community needs.
Graded cities received their scores in advance of the
report's release and had the opportunity to provide
feedback that led to appropriate adjustments to
scores .
The scores on page 08 evaluate and compare the
implementing actions undertaken by the cities across
the region to their 5th edition evaluation score .
n7
Carlsbad
Chula Vista
Encinitas
Escondido
La Mesa
Oceanside
San Diego
San Marcos
Vista
5TH EDITION
CAP SCORE
65.5 68.5
92 97.5
85 62.5
78 59.5
62 .5
5TH EDITION
IMPLEMENTATION
SCORE
64 60.5
73 -
74 8
60 49.5
-
6TH EDITION
IMPLEMENTATION
SCORE
70 57
82 49.5
85 62 .5
63 59
62 .5
* The City of San Diego received fewer points given ifs dissimilar size to its regional peers ; as a top-10 US city, San Diego has more opportunities for funding for CAP implementation.
BIG THREE
-
Here are three key highlights of strong implementation since the release of our 5th Edition Report Card-these action items model effective strategies for other cities to follow.
The First Building High Efficiency Reach Code in the Region The City of Encinitas is once again leading by example by being on the verge of passing a high-performance reach code, which we hope will set the pace and tone for future building electrification efforts across the region . When we electrify, we're moving closer to our emissions reduction goals, protecting the climate and bringing public health and air quality benefits to our neighborhoods .
Our Region is Choosing Clean Energy
CAC continues to celebrate the cities joining a Community Choice Energy program to empower ratepayers by providing energy democracy, allowing communities to select energy sources, and promoting a path to 100% clean energy .
In the last two years, we've welcomed National City and San Diego County's Unincorporated Communities to San Diego Community Power, as well as Escondido, Oceanside, Vista, and San Marcos to the Clean Energy Alliance. Both programs offer customers a 100% renewable product to opt into, increasing opportunities for residents to access clean energy for their homes. Their base products also offer significantly higher renewable content than San Diego Gas & Electric, with SDCP and CEA both serving 50% and higher for the basic opt-in product .
We're rapidly expanding energy choice across our region . 13 out of 18 cities in San Diego County, along with the County's Unincorporated Communities, are choosing clean energy. That's more than 1.09 million residents!
Small City Budgets Prioritizing Climate Action
Budgets shouldn't compromise our health and safety. Without the prioritization of climate action in a budget, cities will fail to protect their communities from the hazards of climate change . CAC is excited to see smaller cities, like the City of Vista, prioritize efforts to build resilient communities. Vista allocated approximately $2.43 million for GHG emissions reduction strategies, including :
• $500,000 invested in the CAP Reserve to implement CAP programs or policies.
• $500,000 toward traffic calming measures .
• $650,000 in final design costs for the Emerald Drive Active Transportation Project.
• $100,000 toward the E-Bike Safety Training and Rebate Program. no
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS B
II
II
We must accelerate efforts to achieve zero carbon as a region. Our region must rapidly develop policies to slash pollution, clean the air, and improve public health to meet local and state targets. How do we ensure effective implementation? C ities Must Update Their CAPs and
Include Annual Imp lementat ion
Benchmarks to Account for Changing
Political Climates and Worsening Climate
Impacts. When a city does not achieve a
strategy on time or a new legislative barrier
appears federally or at the state level,
reducing GHG emissions can feel like a
moving target. Cities need to update their
CAPs with more ambitious GHG reduction
strategies to remain on track to meet their
goals. We're falling behind on reaching our
climate targets largely because cities failed
to develop annual implementation
benchmarks in their current CAPs. These
benchmarks strengthen a city's commitment to
implementation and allow communities to
hold the city accountable to their annual goal.
City Budgets Across the Region Need to
Priorit ize CAP Implementation. Cities often
cite being underfunded and understaffed
when it comes to implementation, yet budget
deficiencies shouldn't compromise our
communities' well-being . To obtain the
necessary resources to implement CAPs,
cities can hire contract grant writers to
secure federal, state, and private grants that
increase capacity and further climate goals.
Cities can utilize grant matchmakers such as
the CommunitY- Infrastructure Center tool
operated by the Milken Institute to find
grants . There are also specific grants that
call for collaboration where cities can work
together to apply and share the work jointly.
II
.II
Imp lement CAPs w ith Urgency. We are
seeing the devastating impacts of climate
change in our communities now and cannot
afford to delay implementation. While
updating a legally binding CAP is critical for
accountability, the timeline between updates
is several years . Cities have cited this time
between updates as a reason not to pursue
exploring a new strategy to implement, but
waiting to act only causes us to miss out on
critical funding opportunities and pushes the
burden of the climate crisis onto our
communities . Cities must implement
strategies as soon as possible, regardless of
CAP update timelines .
Stre ngthen Transportation and
Susta inable Development CAP Goals.
Vehicle emissions contribute more than any
other sector to overall GHG emissions. City
CAPs frequently fail to have measurable
mode shift goals, demonstrating how to
better connect communities to safe walking
or rolling, biking, and public transit. In a
CAP update, cities need to develop or
strengthen their targets for the
. development of affordable high-density
housing near public transit to help residents
reduce their cost of living, shorten commute
distances, and reduce sprawl development
in fire-prone areas as well as include mode
shift goals to help measure progress.
,n
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
II
CAP Implementation Needs to Uplift
Communities of Concern and Create
More Good Green, Union Jobs.
Climate change disproportionately
impacts communities of concern,
worsening health and socioeconomic
disparities. Cities need to report how
their CAP implementation directly
benefits these communities, and many
cities have the opportunity to update
their CAP to include missing equity
goals. This transition must include
creating good family-sustaining union
jobs, creating an equitable jobs pipeline
for communities of color and workers,
and developing affordable communities.
f.l
Opt Up to 100% Clean Energy with
Community Choice Energy Accounts.
Many cities are now supported by San
Diego Community Power or Clean
Energy Alliance, Community Choice
Energy programs (CCE) providing
residents with clean, renewable energy.
If equitably possible, cities should auto-
enroll in the 100% clean energy option.
Encinitas is the only city participating in
a CCE program that auto-enrolled
customers into the 100% clean energy
option. Cities must develop a plan with
clear benchmarks to transition as many
residents as possible to the 100% clean
energy option.
II
B
Explore Alternative Pathways to
Building Electrification. As the
region's third-largest source of GHG
emissions, cities must implement
strategies to transition off of methane
gas and electrify buildings. Despite
obstacles to developing all-electric
reach codes due to the Berkeley
ruling, alternative pathways to
electrification are available, including
high-performance reach codes,
electrifying municipal buildings,
adding electrification requirements
into funding streams distributed to
developers, adopting a heat pump
replacement policy, and setting a zero
emission appliance standard. Our
recent report, 'How to Moye All-
Electric Buildings Forward Post-
Berkelex Ruling,' shares more
information on electrification
opportunities.
Widespread Regional Action and
Coordination are Necessary to
Achieve our Climate Goals. The
Regional CAP led by SANDAG and
SDREN led by SDCP are critical
opportunities for cities in our region to
work collaboratively. Both these plans
will necessitate cities to leverage
time, resources and opportunities to
develop and implement programs if
we are to reach our local and state
climate goals.
11 THE COST OF INACTION:
STORMWATER AND EQUITY
At the beginning of this year, our communities were
overwhelmed with heavy rainfall, extreme floods, water rescues, and evacuations . Homes were demolished, families displaced, and communities submerged. Frontl ine communities-already traditionally underinvested-bear the brunt of damages
and costs. It is clear we are ill-prepared for the challenges posed by our changing climate.
Clima te change must be stopped at its source : greenhouse gas emissions . The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that human activity has increased the frequency of heavy rainfall events in many regions, including Southern California . We must take action now to protect our
communities and region.
The recent storms exposed inadequacies in San Diego's stormwater systems, which have been ignored for decades. This negligence has resulted in $1.6 billion in unfunded stormwater needs . Aging drainage systems, inadequate flood defenses, poor urban planning, and lack of maintenance have all contributed to the severity of this year's storms and flooding . This damage underscores the importance of investing in resilient systems to mitigate the impacts of future disasters .
We must implement key CAP strategies to reduce GHG emissions, improve infrastructure, and invest in under - resourced communities . Adapting to climate change requires long-term solutions, like investing in our stormwater systems and green, resilient infrastructure, strengthening our water management strategies, and improving urban planning through a lens of equity and sustainability . We must now act together as a region to safeguard our communities and minimize economic loss and damage .
WE'RE ACTIVELY SEEING THE IMPACTS OF
A LACK OF REGIONAL ACTION. IT'S TIME
TO FUND STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENTS AND PRIORITIZE LONG
TERM SOLUTIONS TO BUILD COMMUNITY
RESILIENCE, PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS
IN FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES HIT FIRST
AND WORST BY THE CL/MA TE CRISIS.
NICOLE CAPRETZ, CEO
BETA STREET, SOUTHCREST SAN DIEGO l ')
CARLSBAD
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
65.5 5th Edit ion
CAP Score
70 6th Edition
Imp lementation
Score
Clean Energy: The city is beginning to implement its adopted ordinances requiring new residential and nonresidential buildings to install solar thermal or electric heat pump water heaters .
Transportation: Through its Transportation Demand Management Plan, the city exceeded its 2025 sustainable mode shift goals. Participating worksites and commercial properties increased to 37% of commuters choosing to walk/roll/bike or take public transit to work .
KEV RECOMMENDATIONS
Zero Carbon: The CAP should commit to zero carbon by 2045 or earlier to align with state law and climate science .
Clean Energy: The city should choose to auto - enroll or develop high participation rate goals in Clean Energy Alliance's 100% clean energy option.
Building Electrification: The CAP should aim to implement a building high - performance reach code .
Transportation: The city should expand its commuter mode shift goals citywide with targets to meet or exceed 50 percent walk/bike/roll/transit by 2035 .
1,1
CHULA VISTA
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
Building Electrification: The city has implemented a Building Energy Saving Ordinance, which requires owners of multi-family, commercial, and industrial buildings 20,000 square feet or larger to report annually on their energy use. Over time, inefficient buildings will need to obtain energy audits and address cost-effective building upgrades.
Climate Equity: The city has taken significant steps to address climate equity by releasing its first Climate Equity Index (CEI) to identify CAP implementation priorities . The city intends to engage community-based organizations for the next CAP update to conduct outreach .
Zero Waste: The city is implementing its 2022 Zero Waste Plan to reach its 2035 zero waste goal, exceeding the state's goal.
walk /4bike /.roll /4t ansit
ENCINITAS
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
92 5th Editi on
CAP Score
82 6th Edit ion
Implementa ti on
Score
Clean Energy: Encinitas is the only city participating in a Community Choice Energy program that auto - enrolled all customers, including municipal buildings, into the 100% clean energy option. San Diego Community Power has a participation rate of 93.3% in Encinitas .
Building Electrificat ion: Encinitas is preparing to be the first city in the region to adopt a high-performance reach code after the Berkeley ruling. This reach code will go to a final vote on June 12th.
Transportat ion: The city adopted its Modal Alternatives Project Encinitas plan in 2023, providing the city with a prioritized list of bike and pedestrian projects that reflect community needs . The project will also develop conceptual plans and fact sheets for 35 of the highest-priority projects so that the city is well-positioned to apply for grant funding.
KEV RECOMMENDATIONS
Zero Carbon: The CAP should be updated to commit to zero carbon by 2045 or earlier to align with state law and climate science.
Transportation: The City should commit to developing a Mobility Action Plan that includes mode shift targets that will meet or exceed 50 percent walk/bike/roll/transit by 2035 .
Smart Growth : The City should identify high-density housing projects to incorporate into the CAP to reduce VMT.
1;;
ESCONDIDO
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
Clean Energy: The City launched services with Clean Energy Alliance on April 1st, 2023 .
LAMESA
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
85 5th Edit ion
CAP Score
85 6th Edit ion
Impleme nta ti on
Score
Building Electrification: The city's Environmental Sustainability Commission is researching a high-efficiency reach code post - Berkeley ruling. The city has a new instant permitting process for solar and battery storage systems.
Smart Growth: The city has finished one high-density housing project and is on track to complete another that includes 147 affordable housing units; both projects are near public transit and businesses.
Complete Streets: The city completed its La Mesa Complete Streets Integrated Design Manual, which informed the planning of the La Mesa Boulevard Complete Streets project .
KEV RECOMMENDATIONS
Zero Carbon: La Mesa should update its CAP and commit to zero carbon by 2045 or earlier .
Clean Energy: The city should choose to auto-enroll or develop high participa t ion rate goals in San Diego Community Power's 100% clean energy option.
Transportation: The city i.s conducting a mode share analysis study and, when complete, should synthesize its findings into mode shift goals and strategies in a CAP update.
1A
OCEANSIDE
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
Clean Energy: The city launched services with Clean Energy Alliance on April 1st, 2024.
Water Conservation: The city operates Pure Water Oceanside, a local water harvesting program that purifies recycled water to create a new sustainable source of drinking water .
•
CITY OF SAN DIEGO
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
78 5th Edition
CAP Score
63 6th Edition
Implementation
Score
Benchmarks: The city sets a legal precedent for clim ate action and accountability by agreeing to annual GHG benchmarks . Falling short of these targets will trigger public disclosure, public hearings, and an amendment to the CAP to identify how the city will realign with its targets.
Building Electrification: The city adopted the Zero Emissions Municipal Buildings & Operations Policy and has started electrifying municipal buildings .
Climate Action Plan Dashboard: The city developed a new dashboard that, if maintained, can serve as a transparency tool for the government and communities .
KEV RECOMMENDATIONS
Building Electrification: The city needs to adopt a high - performance reach code for new buildings and a performance standard for existing buildings . The city cannot wait for a state building code update; communities deserve immedia te action .
Transportation: The city is off-track in achieving its mode shift targets and failing to conduct annual mode shift monitoring . The city must complete, adopt, and fund projects prior itizing equity initiatives, programs, and policies that increase sustainable transportation options. The Mobi'li ty Master Plan is t he city's best opportunity to create a roadmap to reach the CAP's legally binding GHG emissions reduction requirements.
Climate Resiliency: In its 2025 budget, the city plan s to slash the Climate Equity Fund, which funds resilience projects in Communities of Concern . This fund needs to be restored in full in future budgets to ensure climate justice for generations of disinvested communities.
Just Transition: The CAP should ensure that all new green jobs a re unionized, with infrastructure projects operating under project labor agreements and a focus on hiring from communities of concern.
') ()
SAN MARCOS
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
Clean Energy: The city launched services with Clean Energy Alliance on April 1st, 2023.
VISTA
-
WHAT'S GOING WELL
62.5 5th Edit ion
CAP Score
62.5 6th Edit ion
Implementation
Score
Clean Energy: The city launched services with Clean Energy Allianee on April 1st, 2024.
Smart Growth: The city approved the Vista Melrose high-density housing project, and the Vista Palomar project is pending review.
KEV RECOMMENDATIONS
Zero Carbon: The city should update its CAP to include a zero carbon target by 2045 or earlier to meet state law and align with climate science .
C lean Energy: The city should choose to auto - enroll or develop high participation rate goals in Clean Energy Alliance's 100% clean energy option .
Building Electr ification: The CAP should aim to implement a building high-performance reach code.
Transportation: The city should commit to developing a Mobility Action Plan that includes mode shift targets that will meet or exceed 50 percent walk/bike/roll/transit by 2035 .
CAP STATUS AND UPDATES
Legally Binding CAP Adopted
Carlsbad
Encinitas
Escondido
La Mesa
CAP Updates in Progress
County of San Diego
Oceanside
San Diego
San Marcos
V ista
On September 30, 2020, the County of San Diego (County) Board of Supervisors voted to set aside its approval of the County's 2018 Climate Action Plan (CAP) and related actions because the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was found to not be compliant with the California Enviro nmental Quality Act (CEOA). The county is anticipated to adopt the CAP in 202 4.
National City
Between 2020 and 2021, City staff from the Planning and Engineering Departments worked with the General Plan Update consultant to review, revise, and update the adopted 2011 CAP measures in preparation for the CAP update.
Non-Legally Binding CAP Adopted
Chula Vista
Coronado
Del Mar
No Commitment
Poway
Imperial Beach
Lemon Grove
Solana Beach
Fatally Flawed CAPS
Santee
El Cajon
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wou ld l ike to extend our heartfe lt thanks to a ll our supporters , w hose unwaver ing ded ication and generous contr ibut ions have made the re lease of this report poss ib le. Wit ho ut your support, our efforts to dr ive transformati ve c li mate acf ion and ho ld loca l governmen t s acco unt ab le wou ld not be ach ievab le.
Yo ur comm itme nt to a susta inab le fu t ure fue ls o ur work, and toget her, we are mak in g s ign if icant str ides toward a zero-carbon , eq ui tab le future for the San Diego reg ion. Than k you for stand ing w ith us and empower ing our miss ion to create mean ingfu l c hange for genera ti o ns to come.
Board of Directors
Kara Ballester (Chair)
Aviva Paley (Vice Chair)
Rosa Olascoaga (Board Secretary)
Dan Albosta (Board Treasurer)
Sebastian Sarria
Cristina Marquez
leadership Circle Legacy
BQuest Foundation
Satterberg Foundation
Christopher H. Kohlhardt
Charitable Fund
Left Coast Fund
Visionary
Blue Shield of California
Bright Power
Calpine Energy Solutions
IBEW Local 569
San Diego Community Power
San Diego Foundation
Champion
AES
Orange County CERF
Futures Unbound
Orange County Power Authority
Pedal Ahead
Anonymous Donor
Richard and Elizabeth Steele
Endowment Fund
Patron
David and Peg Engel
The Hervey Family Fund
Orange County Community
Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation
UC Davis
Partner
AFT1931
Bank of Southern California
Clean Energy Alliance
Edward and Shanbrom Family
Fund
HNTB Corporation
Dennis Morgigno and Jennifer
Stone
Aviva Paley
San Diego County Regional
Airport Authority
Mary Yang
Defender
Evari GIS Consulting
Mary Margaret McKenzie
Charitable Fund
Jacob Chacko
John Hemmer
Bill Kuni
Better APC
Oatman Architects Inc
River City Bank
City Staff
Katie Hentrich, City of Carlsbad
Cory Downs, City of Chula Vista
Crystal Najera, City of Encinitas
Ryan Lamkin, City of Encinitas
Veronica Morones , City of Escondido
Hilary Ego, City of La Mesa
Russ Cunningham, City of Oceanside
Randy Wilde, City of San Diego
Shelby Buso , City of San Diego
Song Le Baron, City of San Marcos
Cassidy McCarthy , City of Vista
Graphic Designer
Catherine Walker
Staff Authors
Anthony Dang
Staff Reviewers
Nicole Capretz
Galena Robertson
Catherine Walker
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CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
GRADING
CRITERIA
Out of 100 points, 33 points are assigned
to CAP structural elements, and 6 7 points
are assigned to implementation progress
on key emissions reduction strategies we
recommend for inclusion in every CAP
based on feasibility and effectiveness.
POINTS
ANNUAL MONITORING
REPORT RELEASED
8 PTS
MONITORING
REPORT: EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY 10 PTS
CAP STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS (33 PTS)
What: The city has released a CAP annual monitoring report for the past year.
Why: Publishing an annual CAP monitoring report is an
opportunity for the city to be transparent about its progress on the CAP, and it acts as a tool for community members to hold their city accountable . Transparency and accountability are necessary if we are to take bold action to reduce emissions .
What: The annual monitoring report graphically and verbally shows the City's progress toward emissions targets using data from the most recent available GHG inventory . An
annual summary should also provide a brief, clear, and
comprehensive summary of progress on CAP actions .
Why: An effective CAP annual monitoring report e xecutive summary gives a high-level understanding of whether the city is on track to reach its GHG reduction targets and complete its CAP strategies.
POINTS
MONITORING AND
EVALUATION REPORT:
PROGRESS REPORTED
BY MEASURE
15 PTS
POINTS
EQUITY & JOBS
10 PTS
CLEAN ENERGY
27 PTS
CAP STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS (33 PTS)
What : For each CAP strategy, the annual monitoring report includes a qualitative description of the implementation progress made, provides baseline and progress metrics, and matches units of metrics in the CAP strategy description with units in implementation reporting. The report also includes dates of key actions and names of involved departments or agencies, and it is easily understood by the lay audience .
Why: Detailed implementation progress provided for each CAP strategy allo w s local governments and the public to gauge progress made toward implementing CAP strategies and assess if adjustments are needed to remain on track for GHG reduction targets .
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS ON KEY
EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGIES (67 PTS)
What: Cities demonstrate outreach to Communities of Concern, the benefits of CAP strategies implementation for Communities of Concern, and how environmental justice groups have participated meaningfully in implementation. Additionally provides metrics on the CAP's commitment to creating high-paying green jobs .
Why: Communities of Concern are at the frontlines of the climate crisis, burdened by increased air pollution and other adverse health impacts, and have fewer resources to protect against a hotter and drier San Diego . CAPs are an opportunity to create good, family-sustaining union jobs for workers and communities of concern that have been dispropo rtionately affected by the climate crisis .
What: Cities are steadily progressing t oward their 100% clean energy goal and are adopting a CCE as a key clean energy strategy. Additionally, cities must implement strategies to transition off of methane gas and electrify buildings .
Why: CCE is one of the most effe c tive w ays to reduce GHG emissions, achie ve 100% clean energy, and foster local control of energy decisions. CCE allows municipalities t o provide clean energy for families and bus inesses at a competitive cost compared to a monopoly utility . It also allows families to choose their electricity provider and brings significant revenue to the participating municipal ity. The region's third-largest source of GHG emissions is our built environment utilizing methane gas, it is critical we retrofit and build new buildings with sustainable electricity.
TRANSPORTATION AND
SMART GROWTH
18 PTS
ZERO WASTE
5 PTS
TREES
5 PTS
What: Cities report on track progress toward their commitment to electrifying 100% of the municipal fleet by 2030;
commitment to implementing a city-wide electric vehicle strategy that prioritizes Communities of Concern; mode shift goals for biking, walking, and trans it; commitment to a Mobility Action Plan; smart growth and infill development; commitment to adopting an Active Transportation Plan; and commitment to developing a Complete Streets Policy.
Why: Transportation is the greatest source of GHG emissions in our region . Shifting away from rel iance on cars as the primary mode of transportation reduces GHG emissions and has co benefits of improved public health, safety, and air quality .
Mode shift goals also help municipalities plan and budget to facilitate a shift away from car-centric growth and advocate for assistance for better transit infrastructure . Sma rt land - use pol ic ies are essen t ial t o support commuters' ability to choose non-car transportation. Dense development should be located near transit, walking, and b iking infrastructure. Affordable urban housing enables people to use non - car transportation rather than depending on a car for daily commutes.
What: The city's waste diversion rate demonstrates on-track implementation of its zero waste strategies .
Why: Waste decaying in landfills emits methane, a potent GHG . Waste typically generates 3% to 11% of municipal GHG emissions .
What: The City is implementing actions, is on track to meet its tree canopy coverage target, and is implementing its Urban Forest ry Plan.
Why: Trees provide shade while filtering the air and absorbing carbon.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADU - Accessory Dwelling Unit
AFV - alternative fuel vehicle
AB - Assembly Bill
BAU - business - as - usual
CalGreen - Californi a Green Building
Standards
CAC - Climate Action Campaign
CAP - Climate Action Plan
CARB - California Air Resources Board
CCE - Community Choice Energy
CEA - Clean Energy Alliance
CEQA - California Environmental Quality
Act
CO2 - carbon dioxide
EO - Executive Order
EPIC - Energy Policy Initiatives Center
EV - electric vehicle
GHG - greenhouse gas
HERO - Home Energy Renovation
Opportunity program
LED - light-emitting diode
MW - megawatt
MWh - megawatt-hour
MTC02e - metric tons of carbon dio xide
equivalent
MTS - San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
PACE - Property Assessed Clean Energy
RTP - Regional Transportation Plan
SANDAG - San Diego Association of
Governments
SB - Senate Bill
SDCP - San Diego Community Power
SDG&E - San Diego Gas & Electric
SOREN - San Diego Regional Energy Network
TOM - transportation d e mand management
VMT - vehicle miles traveled
ZEV - zero-emissions vehicle
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TERM DEFINITIONS
Annual Monitoring ReP-ort
An Annual Monitoring Report summarizes CAP measure implementation progress toward GHG reductions targets and actions specified in the CAP .
California Environmental QualitY. Act
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEOA) is California's broadest environmental law. CEOA helps guide the Department during the issuance of permits and approval of projects. Courts have interpreted CEOA to afford the fullest protection of the environment within the reasonable scope of the statutes. CEOA applies to all discretionary project; proposed to be conducted or approved by a California public agency, including private projects requiring discretionary government approval.
Climate Action Plan
A Climate Action Plan is a plan prepared by an entity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and identify climate change adaptation strategies to be implemented.
ComP-lete Streets Policy,
Complete streets is a transportation policy and design approach that requires streets to be planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access for users of all ages and abilities reg a rd less of their mode of transportation.
General Plan
General Plans provide a vision for future growth and development . A General Plan identifies the community's land use, transportation, environmental, economic, and social goals, and policies related to land use and development.
Global Climate Change
Human-caused emissions of greenhouse gasses above natural ambient concentrations are responsible for intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to a trend of unnatural warming of the Earth's climate, known as global climate change.
Greenhouse Gases
A greenhouse gas is a type of gas that causes heat to be trapped in the atmosphere, resulting in warming effects for the Earth .
Greenhouse Gas Inventory,
A greenhouse gas inventory provides a snapshot of emissions generated by the community and municipal activities in a given year and provides a baseline from which emissions trends are projected .
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Implementation Strateg _y_
An implementation strategy determines the priority of strategies based on various factors, including cost, staff resources needed, ease of implementation, and timeframe .
Mode Share
Mode share (also called mode split, modal share, or modal split) is the percentage of travelers using a particular type of transportation or the number of trips using said type. Modal share is an important component in developing sustainable transport within a city or region .
Greenhouse Gas Inventory_
Greenhouse gas inventories are a type of emission inventory that is developed for a variety of reasons . Policymakers use inventories to develop strategies and policies for emissions reductions and track progress on those policies.
Reach Code
A reach code is a local building energy code that "reaches" beyond the state minimum requirements for energy use in building design and construction, creating opportunities for local governments to lead the way on clean air, climate solutions, and the renewable energy economy, while creating roadmaps for other local governments to take action as well.
Reduction Targets
Climate Action Plans set target levels for local greenhouse gas reductions by certain dates. Current state laws include Assembly Bill (AB) 32, which established a target of reducing statewide GHG levels to 1990 levels by 2020; Senate Bill (SB) 32, which established a mid-term target of reducing statewide GHG levels to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030; Executive Order (EO) S-3-05, which recommends a 2050 statewide goal of reducing GHG emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels, and Executive Order (EO) B-55-18, which recommends statewide carbon neutrality by 2045 .
Reduction Strategies and Measures
Greenhouse gas reduction strategies and measures aim to close the gap between the City's anticipated legislatively adjusted business-as-usual emissions and the reduction targets.
San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan
SANDAG prepares a Regional Plan in collaboration with the 18 cities and the County of San Diego and regional, state, and federal partners every four years.
The Regional Plan identifies the transportation needs and improvements to support future regional growth.
SUPPORT
CLIMATE ACTION
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If you believe in the power of transparency and accountability and would like to contribute to our efforts to release these updates, your donation would be greatly appreciated.
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