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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Adoption of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
1.Resolution adopting the Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS-ND) for the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).
2.Motion adopting the CAAP.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for August 12, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Glendale’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is a comprehensive roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build resilience against climate change. Building on our history of environmental leadership, Glendale aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 while enhancing public health, equity, and economic sustainability by adopting goals, strategies and policies that support achieving that result.
Key Goals:
Achieve net-zero emissions by 2045
Prepare for climate impacts like extreme heat and poor air quality Center equity in all actions, especially for vulnerable communities Create green jobs and promote local innovation
Strategic Approach:
The CAAP focuses on four key systems:
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1. Social Governance
2. Buildings Systems
3. Mobility and Land Use
4. Urban Ecosystems
Each includes targeted actions guided by six pillars: feasibility, education, equity, funding, partnerships, and structural change.
Implementation:
Actions will roll out in three phases from 2025 to 2033, supported by strong community engagement, partnerships, and diverse funding sources. Progress will be monitored through annual reports and a public dashboard, with full plan updates every five years.
Community and Climate Readiness:
With input from over 1,500 community members, the CAAP emphasizes resilience, particularly through improved infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and public transit, ensuring Glendale is ready for a changing climate. {{Item.Tracking_Number}}39a
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RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution approving the Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the 2025 Climate Action Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and approve the motion adopting the CAAP.
ANALYSIS
Glendale’s infrastructure, economy, and public health systems face growing pressure from increasing heat, worsening air quality, and wildfire threats. These challenges demand practical, local action. In response, cities worldwide are implementing climate action plans to mitigate and adapt to these challenges.
In Glendale, we have already observed higher temperatures, increased severity of precipitation events, and more bad air quality days. These trends will continue and intensify, necessitating proactive measures to protect our community.
Glendale has a significant history of implementing environmental programs, a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability. Over many years, Glendale has pursued sustainability efforts to address current and future environmental challenges as part of the global sustainability initiative. Our City has demonstrated its commitment to promoting sustainable living through policies, programs, incentives, and outreach and education for residents. Glendale was among the first cities in Southern California to successfully implement the use of recycled water, a biogas landfill-to-gas energy system, curbside recycling, and plastic carryout bags ban, showcasing our long- standing commitment and dedication to environmental stewardship. Glendale's environmental achievements are not just the result of City initiatives but also the collective efforts of our community; each of these successes is a testament to the active participation and dedication of our residents, making us all proud of our shared achievements.
In 2012, Glendale adopted the Greener Glendale Plan (GGP) to expand and build on existing programs and align Glendale's efforts with international initiatives. The GGP systematically addressed the means to mitigate climate change based on the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.
The Glendale City Council adopted the GGP for Municipal Operations, addressing internal government operations, and a separate GGP for Community Activities.
Since the GGP was adopted in 2012, the threat of climate change and the need to decarbonize has become more urgent. Additionally, science, technology, and consumer attitudes have changed dramatically over the last 15 years. This change necessitates the review of the successes of the GGP and development of a climate {{Item.Tracking_Number}}49a
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action and adaptation plan (CAAP) that reflects the current GHG emission profile, climate vulnerability impacts and equity considerations.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP)
The CAAP is a roadmap that envisions implementation that achieves an equitable and sustainable future while improving Glendale’s emergency preparedness, resource reliability, and infrastructure protection. This bold, innovative, and inclusive vision is crucial in enabling Glendale to achieve significant carbon emission reductions. The objective of the CAAP is not just to set desired GHG reduction goals for 2030 and a net zero emissions target by 2045 or sooner, but to provide a robust framework to track and monitor the progress of strategic measures. The CAAP focuses on equity to ensure we address climate issues for our community's most vulnerable.
The City’s consultant, Rincon Consultants, Inc. (Rincon), and staff developed key strategies for CAAP (Exhibit 1: CAAP). CAAP strategies were developed based on an existing conditions analyses, a vulnerability assessment (Exhibit 1: Appendix B), current trends and technologies in GHG emission reduction, and feedback received from City staff and the community. The CAAP strategies detail achievable and implementable emissions reduction measures and supporting actions that will help reduce emissions to meet the established target in line with the State of California's goals. Additionally, the CAAP strategies address climate vulnerabilities and include measures and supporting actions to increase resilience to climate impacts. The CAAP measures and supporting actions are organized into four systems: social governance systems, building systems, mobility and land use systems, and urban ecosystems, which, when collectively implemented, will help the City reach our climate goals.
The CAAP Objectives:
1.GHG Emissions Reduction: Establish targets and strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 or sooner, including transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable transportation.
2.Build Resilience: Develop infrastructure and policies to adapt to climate impacts, such as improved heat management systems, green infrastructure, and resilient building codes.
3.Community Engagement and Education: Foster public awareness and participation in climate action through educational programs, stakeholder partnerships, and community-driven initiatives.
4.Economic Sustainability: Support green jobs and innovation, ensuring climate actions drive economic growth and job creation.
The strategies are organized in the following framework:
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Systems. A group of related elements that the City can directly influence. oMeasures. Long-range goals that the City has established to reduce emissions and/or improve resilience in line with the State emission reduction goals and local resilience goals.
Actions. Discrete steps the City will take to achieve the Measures.
Over time, the CAAP will be reviewed, and additional actions may be added to make greater progress on the established Measures.
Table 1: Measures and actions
Systems No. Measures No. Actions Exhibit 1 CAAP
location page no.
Social & Governance 5 30 63-70
Building 4 51 72-80
Mobility and Land
Use
6 71 83-96
Urban Eco-Systems 6 69 98-112
Totals 21 221
The selection of CAAP strategies was an iterative process between staff, interested parties, boards and commissions, and the community. In general, the measures were designed to encompass actions that align with Glendale's six Climate Policy Pillars that are essential to effective climate policy implementation. These Climate Policy Pillars include:
Feasibility. Actions that help the City understand the costs, benefits, obstacles, and opportunities associated with programs, policies, and ordinances to make decisions that best serve the community.
Education. Actions to increase community awareness of programs available to reduce individual contributions to GHG emissions increase resilience and establish or strengthen communication channels between the City and the communities it serves.
Equity. Actions that engage vulnerable populations in the decision-making process and establish policies and programs to provide vulnerable populations with the resources to benefit from each measure's objectives equitably. Funding. Actions that provide the financial backing (e.g., grant funding, rebates, financial incentives) and adequate City staffing to establish, implement, and maintain a program.
Partnerships. Actions that establish partnerships with external government entities, including Tribes and community-based organizations, to leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to implement programs and policies the City would not be able to achieve alone.
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Structural Change. Actions that change existing City programs, policies, and ordinances allow the City and community to reach the target established within a measure.
The measures and actions developed for Glendale prioritize activities that provide benefits for GHG emissions reductions and resilience through preparedness for climate change.
The CAAP is organized as follows:
1. City of Glendale Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
2. Appendix A: Community Engagement and Engagement Summary
3. Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
4. Appendix C: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Analysis Report
5. Appendix D: Climate Change Legislation
6. Appendix E: Measure Substantial Evidence Report
7. Appendix F: Consumptive Based Emissions Inventory
8. Appendix G.1: Cost and Funding Analysis & Climate Finance Matrix
9. Appendix H: Implementation and Work Plan
10.Appendix I: Initial Study – Negative Declaration
Alignment with Federal, State, and Local Guidelines:
California has established a comprehensive framework of laws, executive orders, and plans to reduce GHG emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) provides guidance to local governments to align Climate Action Plans (CAPs) with State goals. Key California milestones and legislation include:
Executive Order S-3-05 (2005): Set goals to reduce GHGs to 1990 levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
AB 32 (2006): Mandated a return to 1990 GHG levels by 2020. CARB’s 2008 Scoping Plan: Outlined strategies for meeting AB 32 targets. SB 32 (2016): Required a 40% reduction below 1990 levels by 2030. 2017 Scoping Plan Update: Provided a roadmap to achieve SB 32 targets. EO B-55-18 (2018): Set a new goal of statewide carbon neutrality by 2045. AB 1279 (2022): Codified the 2045 carbon neutrality target, defining it as an 85% reduction in direct emissions with the remaining 15% removed through carbon capture and sequestration.
Local governments have been encouraged to adopt reduction targets that mirror the State’s commitments to ensure coordinated action across all levels. The CAAP will {{Item.Tracking_Number}}79a
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enable the City to align with State actions to reduce GHG emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
Resiliency and the CAAP
Resiliency plays a critical role in climate action and adaptation plans by ensuring that communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure can withstand, recover from, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. While climate action often focuses on reducing GHG emissions (mitigation), adaptation and especially resiliency are about preparing for and responding to the changes that are already occurring or are inevitable.
Resiliency factors into a climate action and adaptation plan in the following ways:
1. Risk Reduction: Resiliency helps identify vulnerabilities (e.g., to sea-level rise, extreme heat, wildfires), reduces long-term recovery costs, ensures continuity of services, and increases Glendale’s self-reliance in emergencies. Infrastructure Protection: Guides investments in durable, flexible infrastructure that can handle extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns.
2. Community Preparedness: Resilient communities are better equipped socially and economically to deal with disruptions from emergency response plans to support networks for vulnerable populations.
3. Ecosystem Stability: Resiliency includes conserving and restoring natural systems like wetlands, forests, and shorelines, which buffer climate impacts and enhance biodiversity.
4. Long-Term Sustainability: A resilient approach ensures that today’s solutions don’t create new problems tomorrow, promoting sustainability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
5. Equity Considerations: Resiliency planning addresses disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups and aims for inclusive solutions that leave no one behind.
Key resilience actions in the CAAP include measures such as:
1. Partnering with local agencies to provide evacuation and health alert messaging;
2. Establishing more resilience centers to provide refuge from poor air quality or extreme heat;
3. Creating meaningful engagement with non-profits, vulnerable communities, and tribal governments;
4. Increase community capacity to withstand climate stress;
5. Decarbonize the built environment; and
6. Improve public transit to reduce emissions from transportation. {{Item.Tracking_Number}}89a
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Community GHG Inventory
The GHG Inventory Analysis Report (Exhibit 1: Appendix C) includes GHG emissions from activities within the City’s jurisdictional boundaries during 2021. The inventory provides current GHG emissions estimates that follow the Community Protocol and current best practices for GHG accounting. The results of the GHG inventory are summarized in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The Community Protocol recommends use of regional travel demand models to differentiate passenger, commercial, and bus vehicle miles travelled activity data. This assessment utilizes data provided by Replica.8 The Replica model uses big data sources such as GPS, cell phone, credit card transactions, real estate data, and ground truthing along with powerful machine learning techniques to generate a statewide land use and VMT model that is then scaled with census data and updated on a quarterly basis. The transportation data was not changed and is representative of the actual conditions in 2021. While transportation remains different than it did before COVID 19, 2021 was after the most impacted years (2019/2020) and was assumed to represent a “new normal” of less commuter VMT (due to work from home) but also much higher commercial VMT from deliveries. Future GHG inventories will continue to show the most recent conditions within the City. 2021 was used as it provided the most recent full set of data as the time of conducting the GHG inventory.
Figure 1 Community Inventory GHG Emissions by Sector
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Figure 2 Community Inventory GHG Emissions by Sub-Sector
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Based on the inventory, Rincon developed a back-cast of the City’s GHG emissions to 1990, as well as a business-as-usual and an adjusted forecast to 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045.
Table 2: Business as Usual Forecast Summary MTCO2e
Sector 2021 2030 2035 2040 2045
Energy 397,105 408,073 414,165 424,651 432,074
Transportation 572,532 593,032 604,348 621,510 633,037
Waste 75,067 76,934 77,972 79,797 81,166
Water 6,588 6,752 6,843 7,003 7,124
Wastewater 1,848 1,894 1,920 1,965 1,999
Total 1,053,141 1,086,686 1,105,248 1,134,926 1,155,400 The adjusted forecast provides an up-to-date projection of how GHG emissions are expected to change for the City in the future based on changes in population and employment, as well as existing State and federal legislation aimed at reducing GHG emissions through 2045.
Table 3: Adjusted Forecast Summary MTCO2e
This GHG inventory also presents provisional GHG targets and a gap analysis, developed to help identify GHG emissions reduction activities needed to achieve the provisional GHG emissions reduction targets. Like all GHG inventories, forecasts, and targets, the analysis in this document relies on the best available data and calculation methodologies.
Table 4: Summary of emissions reductions in each system based on full implementation of the CAAP.
Measure ID Measure Text
2030 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
Social and Governance Systems
Sector 2021 2030 2035 2040 2045
Energy 397,105 346,706 278,396 272,595 264,564
Transportation 572,532 503,346 476,012 467,944 465,659
Solid Waste 75,067 76,934 77,972 79,797 81,166
Water 6,588 4,037 1,023 523 0
Wastewater 1,848 1,894 1,920 1,965 1,999
Total 1,053,141 932,917 835,322 822,824 813,388
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Measure ID Measure Text
2030 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
Measure SG-1 Provide evacuation and health alert messaging in English, Spanish, Armenian, and Korean, and in
multiple forms (e.g., online, brochure, radio) to
amplify the Glendale community’s awareness of
extreme weather and events (including wildfires,
landslides, extreme heat events, and poor air
quality days).
Supportive Supportive
Measure SG-2 Establish three resilience centers by 2030 in high social sensitivity areas that provide refuge for
vulnerable populations from poor air quality and
extreme heat conditions that serve as year-round
community resource centers.
Supportive Supportive
Measure SG-3 Change internal protocols and procedures to incorporate a climate and equity lens into all
government operational decision-making to
increase investments in CAAP implementation for
vulnerable populations.
Supportive Supportive
Measure SG-4 Formalize City and community-based relationships to create meaningful and long-lasting relationships
with non-profit organizations and increase
engagement of vulnerable communities and Tribal
governments in local government decision-making
processes.
Supportive Supportive
Measure SG-5 Increase community capacity to better withstand climate shocks and stresses.
Supportive Supportive
Building Systems
Measure BLD-1 Increase carbon-free electricity procurement to provide 100% carbon-free electricity community-
wide by 2035 and improve electrical system
resiliency through additional distributed energy
resources, transmission capacity, and demand
response.
37,227 0
Measure BLD-2 Require healthy, safe, decarbonized, and resilient new buildings by 2026.
2,175 16,031
Measure BLD-3 Retrofit 20% of existing buildings by 2030 and 95% by 2045 to be zero-carbon and resilient to extreme
heat and wildfires.
40,906 214,303
Measure BLD-4 Decarbonize and make municipal buildings resilient by 2035.
Supportive Supportive
System Total 80,308 230,334
Mobility and Land Use Systems
Measure MLS-1 Reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles by promoting increased residential densities along
Supportive Supportive
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Measure ID Measure Text
2030 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
transit and commercial corridors, increasing
mix of land uses and expanding the range of
attainable housing choices.
Measure MLS-2 Increase active transportation mode share to 3% by 2030 and 10% by 2045 by increasing the safety
and availability of the transportation system to
support walking and biking for all members of the
community.
1,839 7,516
Measure MLS-3 Enhance the transit system to be more resilient, accessible, and convenient to increase mode share
to 5% by 2030 and 10% by 2045.
6,929 16,882
Measure MLS-4 Increase passenger and commercial zero-emission vehicle use and adoption to 25% by 2030 and 90%
by 2045, respectively.
60,885 290,572
Measure MLS-5 Electrify or otherwise decarbonize 30% of community-operated off-road equipment (e.g.,
lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws)
operations by 2030 and 100% by 2045.
4,206 16,149
Measure MLS-6 Transition to 45% zero-emission municipal fleet by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
Supportive Supportive
System Total 73,859 331,119
Urban Eco-Systems
Measure UE-1 Increase organics diversion through SB-1383 to divert 75% of organic material by 2025.
59,899 63,190
Measure UE-2 Increase tree canopy to 25% by 2030 and 30% by 2045 by focusing on communities most vulnerable
to extreme heat.
149 1,635
Measure UE-3 Reduce the potential for wildfire to spread in Glendale by actively managing 50-75 acres of land
annually through prescribed burns, brush
clearance, grazing, and building hardening.
Supportive Supportive
Measure UE-4 Increase access to affordable and fresh produce through partnerships and technical assistance.
Supportive Supportive
Measure UE-5 Reduce per capita water use to 48 gallons per day by 2030 and 42 gallons per day by 2045 by
enhancing water conservation and water quality
and increase the Glendale water system's
resilience to climate extremes by upgrading water
and stormwater facilities.
Supportive Supportive
Measure UE-6 Showcase municipal leadership through increased landfill diversion rates, climate-smart food and
Supportive Supportive
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Measure ID Measure Text
2030 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG Emission
Reduction Potential
(MT CO2e)
purchasing behavior, and enhanced water
efficiencies.
System Total 60,048 64,825
Total 214,216 626,277
Implementation Strategy
Exhibit 1: Appendices G & H: Cost and Funding Analysis and Implementation Work Plan, provide a framework of the timeframes, funding mechanisms, and lead departments' roles to implement the mitigation and adaptation strategies described in the CAAP. The City will establish an internal CAAP team to monitor implementation progress, establish community round table meetings to discuss implementation progress. The City and Rincon have established a website for the CAAP. This site hosts the final CAAP and technical documents such as the GHG inventories and other background documents used in the development of the CAAP. To show case progress on CAAP implementation a community facing dashboard will be developed.
The CAAP will be implemented through a phased approach. The measures and actions have been developed to be implemented over time to reduce emissions and increase the City's resilience in a thoughtful, achievable, and stepwise process. As such, the actions are anticipated to be completed in the following phases:
1.Phase 1 - 2025-2027: Near term projects that have the potential to provide immediate benefits, such as energy efficiency upgrades in municipal buildings and expansion of public transportation options.
2.Phase 2 - 2028-2030: More extensive projects requiring substantial planning and resources, such as large-scale renewable energy installations and retrofitting critical infrastructure.
3.Phase 3 - 2031-2033: Sustained efforts to achieve long-term goals, including comprehensive urban planning and ongoing adaptation measures.
Other implementation actions include:
Quarterly Activity: Meet with the Internal CAAP team to monitor implementation progress and address any obstacles.
Annual Activities:
a) Identify the implementation status of each CAAP measure and action. Evaluate their progress against the established timelines and update the online Sustainability Dashboard.
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b) Meet with community partners and internal stakeholders to prepare a report analyzing progress, which will be delivered to the City Council and relevant commissions.
c) Ensure that CAAP measures and actions are included in the annual budget process.
Every Three Years: Complete an updated GHG emissions inventory and assess the results against the City’s GHG emissions targets.
Every Five Years: Update the CAAP targets, measures, and actions.
The measures and actions in the CAAP are not exclusive and do not prevent the use of other GHG reduction strategies. Adjustments to the plan or its components may be necessary as circumstances change or new information, regulations, and technologies emerge. The monitoring activities and resulting reports will indicate whether the City is on track to meet its 2035 target or if additional measures and actions are needed.
Community Action
Community engagement is necessary to achieve meaningful emissions reductions and address climate change because real, lasting change happens from the ground up.
While policies and technologies are essential, individual and collective actions at the community level directly influence local emissions, build resilience, and shape societal norms.
Glendale completed a consumption-based emissions inventory (CBI) (Exhibit 1:
Appendix F). Community-wide GHG emissions inventories, such as those developed for the CAAP, generally focus on emissions released or produced from sources located within a community's geopolitical boundary for which the City has jurisdictional control.
CBIs, on the other hand, cover emissions associated with the lifecycle stages of a utility, good, or service regardless of whether emissions occur within a community's geopolitical boundary. CBIs acknowledge that jurisdictional boundaries do not restrict a community's GHG emissions contributions and provide individuals within the community a better understanding of the full impact of their consumptive behaviors. The results of the CBI will aid staff in developing education, outreach, and engagement programs for households. These programs will provide the community with examples of activities focused on shifting from carbon-intensive to less carbon-intensive activities.
CAAP Funding and Costs
The CAAP is an investment in the future, aimed at safeguarding the quality of life for current and future generations. The implementation of the CAAP will be a collaborative effort that will require strategic investment in infrastructure, technology systems, {{Item.Tracking_Number}}159a
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policies, and programs. Costs for implementing the CAAP will include capital investments, such as installing EV charging stations, HVAC upgrades, and transit improvements. Costs will also include staff time to develop policies and conduct outreach and educational campaigns.
Many CAAP strategies are designed to lower long-term operating costs for the City and residents by improving energy efficiency, reducing infrastructure damage, and decreasing emergency response burdens.
The implementation of the CAAP will involve upfront costs for the City and community, but the long-term financial, social, and environmental benefits significantly outweigh these expenses. The CAAP will streamline environmental review for new development, align the City with state climate goals, and enhance eligibility for major funding sources, such as California’s $10 billion climate bond. Proactive investments such as installing EV infrastructure during construction, electrifying buildings, and enhancing climate resilience through tree planting and microgrids are far more cost-effective now than retrofitting later. In addition to cost savings, the CAAP offers co-benefits such as improved public health and emissions reductions, reinforcing that the plan’s benefits far outweigh its implementation costs.
The Cost Range Analysis Exhibit 1: Appendix G. considers several types of cost when assessing each GHG reduction measure. First, internal and external costs are considered. Internal costs are those experienced by the City (i.e., City staff time and capital costs), while external costs are those felt by the community (i.e., residents and businesses). The cost tiers (No Cost/Cost Savings, Low Cost, Moderate Cost, High Cost) for each measure are assessed separately for both the City and the community Exhibit 1: Appendix G. Second, the analysis considers upfront and lifecycle costs.
Upfront costs include the costs associated with purchasing and installing an item, including any City staff time spent on related activities like procurement, planning, or ordinance development. Lifecycle costs refer to the ongoing expenses or cost savings generated from operating, maintaining, and disposing of an item. They can also include the time spent by City staff on enforcement, monitoring, and compliance over the item’s lifespan.
Based on the results of the cost range analysis, a Cost Summary table was developed to quickly identify the most cost-effective measures and actions within Phase 1 of the CAAP implementation. This table provides a quick reference to help guide implementation, but it also has several limitations that should be considered. Many of the resilience-focused measures have unknown lifecycle savings. This is due to the unknown risks associated with increased natural disasters, such as fires. Therefore, while these measures are likely all cost-effective, they are listed as unknown for this reason. Additionally, measures such as increasing transit can result in lifecycle savings {{Item.Tracking_Number}}169a
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over time and at buildout, where the increased costs are offset by lower vehicle ownership costs, improved air quality and health benefits, and reduced road maintenance costs. However, since there are no direct cost savings in the short term, these have been listed as “no” lifecycle savings.
Figure 3 Cost Summary
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The cost of implementing the CAAP projects and programs will vary. However, the adoption of the CAAP positions the City well to pursue a wide range of funding opportunities. Numerous state and, to a lesser extent, federal grant programs are available to support early implementation efforts. Additionally, some CAAP actions are continuations of existing City initiatives that already have dedicated funding. Funding opportunities may include state and federal grants and potentially private-sector partnerships, energy savings contracts, fees, and public-private partnerships to help fund anticipated measures and actions.
To guide this process, Rincon and H.I.P. Investor have developed a Climate Action Finance Map Exhibit 1, Appendix G, which outlines a range of financing and funding options to support the City’s highest-impact climate measures.
Importantly, there is no immediate fiscal impact associated with adopting the Resolution to approve the CAAP. Existing, budgeted staff positions are expected to take on additional responsibilities during implementation. As the City integrates CAAP goals into its broader financial policies and practices, future considerations may include funding the full lifecycle costs of each project, covering both capital expenditures and ongoing operations aligned with local priorities.
As cities nationwide ramp up the implementation of their climate plans, new financing models particularly those targeting decarbonized buildings and low-emission transportation will continue to evolve. The City will remain agile in identifying and leveraging these emerging opportunities to achieve its CAAP goals. City staff will actively pursue external funding sources, including government grants. Funding for future projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and considered for the Council’s approval independently.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The success of the CAAP implementation hinges on the community’s active involvement and long-term support. To ensure the community’s voice was meaningfully reflected in the DRAFT CAAP, the City of Glendale conducted extensive and interactive stakeholder outreach throughout the plan’s development.
An Outreach, Education, and Engagement (OEE) Plan guided this process, outlining inclusive strategies designed to engage the Glendale community meaningfully and equitably. Outreach activities went beyond information-sharing by incorporating hands- on, participatory elements such as making vision boards and interactive activities that sparked conversations, built trust, and led to meaningful community feedback. The interactive games sparked conversations, built trust, and led to meaningful community feedback. The City made a concerted effort to hear from those most affected by {{Item.Tracking_Number}}189a
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environmental hazards, including seniors, foreign-born citizens, renters, frontline workers, and linguistically isolated communities.
Outreach activities included more than 75 events citywide ranging from 29 pop-up booths at community events and libraries to 44 in-person and virtual workshops held at neighborhood centers, high schools, and Glendale Community College. These efforts were supplemented by two public surveys, stakeholder focus groups, and educational presentations to local organizations, neighborhood associations, and youth groups. Mini- grants were awarded to community partners to lead culturally and locally tailored engagement efforts.
To promote accessibility, outreach materials and the CAAP website were available in English, Armenian, Spanish, and Korean. The City also engaged over 150 community- based organizations through direct outreach, mini grants, and leveraged social media, email campaigns, flyers, and in-person canvassing to increase awareness and participation.
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Additionally, City staff from every department were engaged throughout the process, participating in all-hands planning sessions and one-on-one coordination meetings. This internal collaboration ensured that feedback from the community could be integrated into realistic and actionable measures aligned with departmental operations.
The result is a plan grounded in community priorities, shaped by diverse perspectives, and supported by a foundation of trust, transparency, and collaboration.
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Outreach and engagement were completed in three phases: 1) data gathering and documenting existing conditions, which occurred from Spring 2023 Fall 2023; 2) strategy development, which occurred from Fall – Winter 2023 - 2024; 3) CAAP development and reading for adoption, which occurred through Winter 2024/early-Spring 2025. During Phase 1, an inventory (or audit) of the emissions was completed as well as an assessment of the key climate vulnerabilities that may impact the community (see Chapter 3 for more information about climate change vulnerabilities and Chapter 4 for more information on the emissions inventory). During Phase 1, the climate risks and vulnerabilities were “ground-truthed” through robust conversations with interested parties to help refine desktop research and weave in community characteristics and priorities.
Phase 2 of the community engagement included development and refinement of the strategies based on current best practices and the unique needs and opportunities in Glendale. The greatest amount of community outreach occurred during Phase 2, which allowed us to establish initiatives that align with the community’s needs and address hurdles. The final phase, Phase 3, of the project included a website update that invited community members to share feedback on the compiled plan, along with adoption hearing with City Council.
Three public comments were received on the Draft CAAP document. One comment focused on the volume of words and the need for summaries at the end of each chapter.
Each chapter of the CAAP begins with a summary so no further action was taken.
The other two comments focused on Appendix H: The Implementation and Work Plan.
The comment recommended that Appendix H should have goals. Updates to the Appendix H were made based on the comments received.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. However, implementation of the plan will have a future fiscal impact, and the department will return to Council at the appropriate time to identify the funding sources to complete each project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The CAAP was evaluated in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, and the environmental regulations of the City.
Pursuant to State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, §§ 15000 et seq.)(hereinafter the “CEQA Guidelines”), section 15183.5(a), lead agencies may analyze and mitigate the significant effects of GHG emissions at a programmatic level, such as in a general plan, a long range development plan, or a separate plan to reduce GHG emissions. This CAAP is a programmatic document that was analyzed in an Initial Study that supports a Negative Declaration determination for {{Item.Tracking_Number}}219a
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the CAAP. A Negative Declaration (ND) is prepared when a project is determined not to have a significant effect on the environment.
CEQA Guidelines section 15183.5(b)(1) states that a plan for the reduction of GHG should: a) Quantify GHG emissions, both existing and projected over a specified time period, resulting from activities within a specified area; b) Establish a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to GHG emissions from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively considerable; c) Identify and analyze the GHG emissions resulting from specific actions or categories of actions anticipated within the geographic area; d) Specify measures or a group of measures, including performance standards, that substantial evidence demonstrates, if implemented on a project-by-project basis, would collectively achieve the specified emissions reduction level; e) Establish a mechanism to monitor the plan’ s progress toward achieving the level and to require amendment if the plan is not achieving specified levels; f) Be adopted in a public process following environmental review. The CAAP was prepared in compliance with CEQA Guidelines section 15183.5.
It is important to note that the CAAP to reduce GHG emissions may be used in future project cumulative impact analyses (CEQA Guidelines, §15183.5(b)) so long as such projects implement CAAP policies and, where appropriate, incorporate the CAAP policies as feasible, enforceable mitigation measures. The CAAP proposed for adoption is a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan that is designed to implement policies that meet state GHG emission reduction targets consistent with the CEQA Guidelines section 15183.5 for year 2030, and is therefore aimed at reducing significant environmental impacts. In addition, the CAAP includes a Project Review Checklist that allows future projects to determine if they are consistent with the GHG reduction measures identified in the CAAP. Consistent projects can tier their environmental review from the existing programmatic environmental review contained in the Initial Study – Negative Declaration prepared for the CAAP.
The IS/ND was circulated for public comment from March 24, 2025 through May 19, 2025, a total of 56 days. No public comments on the IS/ND were received.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Council has the option to not approve the IS/ND and not approve the CAAP. Council also has the option to approve the IS/ND but not approve the CAAP.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
{{Item.Tracking_Number}}229a
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Submitted by:
John Takhtalian, Assistant City Manager
Prepared by:
David Jones, Sustainability Officer
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Glendale Climate Action and Adaptation Plan:
Appendix A: Community Engagement and Engagement Summary Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
Appendix C: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Analysis Report
Appendix D: Climate Change Legislation
Appendix E: Measure Substantial Evidence Report
Appendix F: Consumptive Based Emissions Inventory
Appendix G.1: Cost and Funding Analysis & Climate Finance Matrix Appendix H: Implementation and Work Plan
2. Appendix I: Initial Study – Negative Declaration Signed