Attachment D: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Progress Report for 2023 This progress report provides an update on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for calendar year 2023. The S/CAP Key Actions are abbreviated for the purposes of this report, but the full key actions can be found in Section 5:
Goals and Key Actions of the S/CAP.1 A summary of the progress on the KPIs for calendar year 2023 can be found in Attachment E. Signification actions and accomplishments from 2023 can be found on the Sustainability website2.
Climate Action
GOAL
Reduce GHG emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal)
KEY ACTIONS
Community assistance
C1. Provide building and transportation emissions consultations for residents C2. Develop major employer custom emissions reduction plans Staff Analysis
C3. Study additional key actions needed for 80 x 30
C4. Study staffing and budgetary needs
C5. Study funding alternatives
C6. Conduct an electrification affordability study
C7. Study carbon neutrality options
Staff and Council action
C8. Accelerate GHG reductions
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•GHG reductions
•Community awareness
•Participation in Climate Pledge
Climate Action KPI: GHG Reductions
Palo Alto has already made significant progress in its sustainability and climate action efforts, decreasing its community emissions to 410,157 metric tons (MT) CO2e, or 6.1 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident in 2022 (47.4 percent compared to 1990 levels). However, to achieve the 80 x 1 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/2022-scap-report_final.pdf 2 Sustainability Actions and Accomplishments; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/Sustainability/Goals-and- Progress/Sustainability-Actions-and-Accomplishments
30 and carbon neutrality by 2030 goals, Palo Alto must meet a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target of 156,024 MT CO2e, or 2 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident by 2030. Key data needed to calculate the GHG emissions for calendar year 2023 is not yet available. In order to make progress on the GHG reductions goal, in 2023 the City focused on community assistance (Key Action C1, C2), staff analysis (C3, C4, C5, and C6), and staff and Council action (C8).
Climate Action KPI: Community Awareness
The City continues to expand outreach to increase community awareness about the S/CAP and the 80 x 30 goal. In 2023, the City held 86 sustainability and climate action events covering all eight S/CAP focus areas. Attendance was not counted for all events, but staff estimates an average of 80 – 100 attendees per event. The City published seven Sustainability Newsletters and eight Climate Action blogs in 2023. The Sustainability Newsletter has a readership of 3,445 and a 50% open rate, which is the percentage of readers that open the e-mail you send them.
The average open rate for electronic newsletters is 21.5%.3 While not a direct measure of community awareness, the 2023 Palo Alto Community Survey4 found that 68% of residents indicated that it is essential or very important for Palo Alto to focus on reducing GHGs in the coming two years. Staff will add a direct question to measure community awareness in future surveys.
Climate Action KPI: Participation in Climate Pledge
The City developed a Planet Protection Pledge (the Climate Pledge), which launched at the Palo Alto Earth Day Festival on April 21, 2024 at Rinconada Library. The goal of the pledge is to encourage residents to “pledge” to take action towards our S/CAP goals. The “Climate Pledge” KPI will be reported on in the next KPI Progress Report.
Energy
GOALS
Reduce GHG emissions from the direct use of natural gas in Palo Alto’s building sector by at least 60% below 1990 levels (116,400 MT CO2e reduction)
Modernize the electric grid to support increased electric demand and to accommodate state-of-the-art technology
KEY ACTIONS
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in appliances and equipment E1.Reduce GHG emissions in Single-Family Appliances and Equipment E2.Reduce GHG emissions in Non-Residential Equipment
3 2022 Email Marketing Benchmarks Report, https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/email- marketing-benchmarks/
4 City of Palo Alto Community Survey 2023; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/city- manager/communications-office/general/attachment-a-palo-alto-community-survey-2023-report-of-results.pdf
Reduce natural gas use in buildings
E3.Reduce Gas Use in Major Facilities
E4.Reduce natural gas use at City facilities
Make it affordable
E5.Support income-qualified residents and vulnerable businesses with electrification E6.Develop electric rate options
Paving the road to electrification
E7.Use codes and ordinances to facilitate electrification E8.Electric grid modernization plan
E9.Additional electrification opportunities in commercial and multi-family buildings
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•GHG emissions from natural gas use in buildings (single-family, multifamily, nonresidential)
•Percentage of single-family households with no gas connections •Percentage of gas use reduction in major facilities and City facilities In order to make progress on the Energy goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to reduce GHGs in appliances and equipment (E1, E2), reduce natural gas use in buildings (E3, E4), make it affordable (E5, E6), and pave the road to electrification (E7, E8).
Energy KPI: GHG emissions from natural gas use in buildings (single-family, multifamily, nonresidential)
In 2023, total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 27,399,747 therms5 or 144,972 MT of CO2e. This is a slight increase from 2022, when total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 27,140,144 therms or 143,599 MT of CO2e. This is most likely because it was colder in the first three months of 2023 than in was in the first three months of 2022. It could also be because more people were returning to work in offices and continuing to return to Palo Alto for dining, shopping, and recreation.
Energy KPI: Percentage of single-family households with no gas connections The City estimates that 2.1% of single-family households (341 single-family homes) have no gas connections. The S/CAP impact analysis found that in order to achieve 80 x 30, virtually all single-family gas appliances need to be switched to electric appliances.
Energy KPI: Percentage of gas use reduction in major facilities and City facilities Staff estimates a 45 percent reduction in natural gas (methane) use in City facilities compared to the 2016 baseline. Data is currently not available for other major facilities. 5 One therm is the energy content of approximately 100 cubic feet of natural gas at standard temperature and pressure.
Electric Vehicles
GOALS
Reduce transportation related GHG emissions at least 65% below 1990 levels (215,696 MT CO2e reduction)
Develop a public and private charging network to support EV adoption
KEY ACTIONS
Education, awareness, and collaboration
EV1.Raise awareness of alternative transportation modes, micro-mobility, and EVs EV2.Collaborate to promote EV adoption regionally
EV3.Promote EV adoption and alternative commutes for commuters EV4.Facilitate the adoption of EVs, e-bikes and other light EVs EV5.Promote alternative transportation modes and infrastructure to support adoption Expand EV infrastructure
EV6.Expand EV charging access for multi-family residents EV7.Improve EV charging access for income-qualified residents EV8.Ensure EV charging capacity supports EV growth
Electrify fleet vehicles
EV9.Electrify municipal vehicle fleet
EV10.Support policy to electrify fleet vehicles
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•GHG emissions from vehicle travel
•Percentage of registered EV vehicles in Palo Alto
•Percentage of new vehicle sales that are EVs
•Percentage of multifamily residents with access to overnight EV charging •Gasoline sales in Palo Alto
In order to make progress on the EV goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions on education, awareness, and collaboration (EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5); to expand EV infrastructure (EV6, EV7, EV8), and electrify fleet vehicles (EV9).
EV KPI: GHG emissions from vehicle travel
In 2021, GHG emissions from vehicle travel was 185,925 MT of CO2e (51.7 percent of total citywide emissions). In 2022, that increased 19.4 percent to 221,923 MT of CO2e (54.1 percent of total citywide emissions). This increase is primarily driven by increased on-road vehicle miles traveled (VMT). In 2022, total on-road VMT increased by 12 percent since 2021, likely due to the shift away from pandemic-level (reduced) driving frequency, returning to the office after working from home, and economic recovery of people returning to Palo Alto for shopping, dining, entertainment, and travel stays. The 2023 GHG emissions from vehicle travel cannot be calculated until the VMT for 2023 is available.
EV KPI: Percentage of registered EV vehicles in Palo Alto
In 2021, 11% of all registered vehicles in Palo Alto were EVs (5,813).6 In 2022, that increased to 13% (6,573 EV Registrations out of 49,963 total vehicle registrations) and is estimated to be 16% in 2023.7
EV KPI: Percentage of new vehicle sales that are EVs
In 2017, 29% of new vehicle purchases by Palo Alto residents were EVs. This increased to 43% in 2022 (1,534 New EV Sales out of 3,568 New Total Sales of cars with model year 2022-2023) and is estimated to be 52% in 2023.7 For context, in 2023, electric vehicles accounted for 42.4% of new auto registrations in Santa Clara County, 25% of new auto registrations in CA, and 8.5% of new auto registrations nationwide. Achieving the penetrations of electric vehicles needed to achieve the City’s 80x30 goal requires achieving an EV new vehicle registration share of 85% per year or more by 2030.
EV KPI: Percentage of multifamily residents with access to overnight EV charging In 2023, 4% of multifamily residents had access to overnight EV charging. City-owned charging stations allow for overnight (5 pm – 8 am) parking as well as overnight EV charging without overstay fees.
EV KPI: Gasoline sales in Palo Alto
Gasoline sales data in Palo Alto is currently not available but will be reported on when it becomes available.
Mobility
GOALS
Reduce total vehicle miles traveled 12% by 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline, by reducing commute vehicle miles traveled 20%, visitor vehicles miles traveled 10%, and resident vehicle miles traveled 6% Increase the mode share for active transportation (walking, biking) and transit from 19% to 40% of local work trips by 2030
KEY ACTIONS
Promote alternatives to single occupancy car trips
M1.Increase active transportation and transit for local work trips M2.Expand availability of transit and shared mobility services 6 Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combined. 7 2021 and 2022 statistics were calculated based on a data set provided by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). That data set was not yet available for 2023 at the time of publication of this report, and the DMV is removing total registration data from the data set it plans to provide, so DMV data will no longer be usable to calculate this KPI unless the DMV changes its policies. The City and its partners are advocating to make this data available again. In the interim, a public DMV data set showing aggregate EV and non-EV registrations by zip code is being used. Staff generated its estimates of new and total registrations based on data on all Palo Alto zip codes excluding 94303, which is shared with East Palo Alto. The data sets can be found at https://data.ca.gov/dataset/vehicle-fuel-type-count-by-zip-code
M3.Implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan M4.Improve Transportation Demand Management for employees and residents Change the way we think about parking cars
M5.Implement smart parking infrastructure in public garages Learn how we can grow without increasing GHG emissions
M6.Study land use and transportation
M7.Continue to implement the City’s Housing Element
M8.Improve transit and traffic flow
Leverage current tools to foster mobility related GHG reductions M9.Create housing density and land use mix that supports transit and non-SOV (Single Occupancy Vehicle) transportation modes
M10.Encourage reductions in GHGs and VMT (vehicle miles traveled)
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Total VMT
•Commute mode share for all modes
•Commute Benefits participation by City employees
•Transit ridership, the proportion of residents within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit, and the proportion of residents covered by on-demand transit services (data may not be available every year)
•Number and proportion of residents within a 10-minute walk of retail or other essential services/land uses (data may not be available every year) •Number of businesses participating in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs (when regional TDM Program data becomes available) In order to make progress on the Mobility goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to promote alternatives to single occupancy car trips (M1, M2, M3), change the way we think about parking cars (M5), learn how we can grow without increasing GHG emissions (M7, M8), and leverage current tools to foster mobility related GHG reductions (M9).
Mobility KPI: Total VMT
In 2022, total VMT was 575,190,655, which is a 12 percent increase from 2021, when total VMT was 515,738,090. This can be attributed to more people returning to the office after working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VMT data for 2023 is not yet available but will be included with the 2023 GHG inventory.
Mobility KPI: Commute mode share for all modes
Table 1 shows the commute mode share for Palo Alto in 2021 and 2022. The commute mode share for Palo Alto for 2023 is not yet available. Year 2019 data is also included as a comparison to pre-COVID 19 pandemic mode share. In 2022 more people drove alone and less people carpooled or worked from home than in 2021. However, there was an increase in active transportation and transit, although transit ridership has not returned to pre-COVID 19 levels.
Table 1: Commute Mode Share for Palo Alto Pre-Pandemic and 2021-20228 Commute Mode (worker 16 years and older) 2019 2021 2022 Worked from home 9.7% 48.8% 32.6%
Drove Alone 61.2% 34.9% 46.1%
Carpooled 5.2% 5.5% 2.4%
Bicycle 10% 5.0% 9.2%
Walked 3.9% 2.4% 6.4%
Public transportation (excludes taxicabs) 8.0% 1.2% 1.6% Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 2.1% 2.3% 1.7%
Mobility KPI: Commute Benefits participation by City employees In 2023, 19% of city employees participated in commute benefits programs.
Mobility KPI: Transit ridership, the proportion of residents within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit, and the proportion of residents covered by on-demand transit services In 2023, 21.9% of residents were within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit. Walksheds are a visual representation of the area a pedestrian can travel to access transit. With the introduction of Palo Alto Link, 99.7% of Palo Altans are now covered by on-demand transit. In 2023, 2.08% of Palo Altans took transit.
Mobility KPI: Number and proportion of residents within a 10-minute walk of retail or other essential services/land uses
In 2023, 32,700 Palo Alto residents (47.8% of all 68,400 residents) lived within a 10-minute walk of retail locations or other essential services.
Mobility KPI: Number of businesses participating in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs
The City will report on the “Number of businesses participating in TDM programs” KPI when regional TDM program data becomes available.
Water
GOALS
Reduce Palo Alto’s potable water consumption 30% compared to a 1990 baseline (subject to refinement based on forthcoming California water efficiency standards expected in 2024)
8 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs; https://data.census.gov/vizwidget?g=160XX00US0655282&infoSection=Commuting
Develop a water supply portfolio which is resilient to droughts, changes in climate, and water demand and regulations, that supports our urban canopy
KEY ACTIONS
W1.Maximize water conservation and efficiency
W2.Build a salt removal facility to improve recycled water quality W3.Implement One Water Portfolio projects
W4.Develop a dynamic water planning tool
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Estimated indoor per capita residential water consumption •Estimated outdoor residential water consumption for irrigation •Water consumption of commercial customers with irrigation meters •Amount of recycled water used in Palo Alto
•Volume of stormwater that is captured and reused
The near-term focus for water is reducing water consumption while exploring ways to capture and store water and increase the availability and use of recycled water.
In 2023, the City held eight landscape workshops on water-saving topics including rainwater harvesting, drought-tolerant landscape design, lawn conversion, and information on available rebates. The City tabled at five neighborhood events to educate residents on water efficiency programs and rebates. The City also provides the WaterSmart water management tool which gives residents information about their water consumption and personalized water conservation recommendations.
The Water KPIs are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for Water (2023) Water KPI 2023
Estimated indoor per capita residential water consumption 17,537 gallons per capita Estimated outdoor residential water consumption for irrigation 620 million gallons Water consumption of commercial customers with irrigation meters 312 million gallons
Amount of recycled water used in Palo Alto 81.05 million gallons Volume of stormwater that is captured and reused
No data to report, no active
stormwater reuse projects
at this time
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise
GOALS
Develop and adopt a multi-year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan including a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and adaptation plan Minimize wildland fire hazards by ensuring adequate provisions for vegetation management, emergency access and communications, inter- agency firefighting, and standards for design and development within wildland areas
KEY ACTIONS
Minimize the impacts of sea level rise
S1.Complete a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment
S2.Implement a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan
S3.Begin design process for a levee project
S4.Complete bridge improvements and identify protection strategies from flood events Minimize the impacts of wildland fire hazards
S5.Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan
S6.Minimize fire hazards through zoning
S7.Collaborate on reducing wildfire hazards
S8.Implement CAL FIRE education programs
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Percent of vulnerable locations protected from three feet of sea level rise •Percent of properties protected from San Francisquito Creek flooding •Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments
•Implementation of Foothills Fire Management Plan mitigation measures The near-term focus for Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise is to develop and adopt a multi- year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan and minimize wildland fire hazards through Foothills Fire Management Plan implementation, zoning, and collaborating with Fire agencies. In order to make progress on the Climate Adaptation and Sea Level rise goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to minimize the impacts of sea level rise (S1, S2, S3, S4) and minimize the impacts of wildland fire hazards (S5, S6, S7, S8).
Sea Level Rise KPI: Percent of vulnerable locations protected from three feet of sea level rise The “Percent of vulnerable locations protected from three feet of sea level rise” KPI is a long- term project that likely won’t result in near-term changes until project construction details are confirmed.
Sea Level Rise KPI: Percent of properties protected from San Francisquito Creek flooding Data is unavailable for the “Percent of properties protected from San Francisquito Creek flooding” KPI.
Sea Level Rise KPI: Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments The “Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments” KPI is on hold until the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan is completed. In 2022, the City completed a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment9 which documents potential sea level rise hazards to City and community assets from increments of sea level rise between 12 to 84 inches. The Assessment will inform the development of the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan. Current efforts to develop the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan have been paused in light of two regional efforts that may significantly change the scope of the City’s efforts:
1. A United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) cost/benefit analysis determined that there is no federal interest in funding Palo Alto shoreline improvements at this time, and that improvements would not be needed until approximately 2060;
2. SB272 (Laird): Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation signed in late 2023 requires a Bay Area regional sea level rise adaptation plan and harmonized subregional plans. Plan requirements, and the boundaries of subregions are anticipated from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission by the end of 2024.
Climate Adaptation KPI: Implementation of Foothills Fire Management Plan mitigation measures
The City is working on various efforts related to implementation of the Foothills Fire Management Plan, including:
•Leading a multi-departmental Foothills Fire Management Plan Group; •Coordinating with Santa Clara County Fire Department, Stanford University, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, Town of Los Altos Hills, and Woodside Fire Protection District on regional efforts; and,
•Updating the Palo Alto Foothills Fire Management Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
The City is working on the deployment of solar battery back-up improvements in key locations to keep equipment online when electricity may be disrupted or disconnected during a fire. As part of the Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Plan, the City is undergrounding electric lines and making other safety improvements. The City is also doing ongoing work to reduce flammable vegetation and other “fuels” in the foothills.
Palo Alto Fire Department, OES, and CSD completed an interagency project with Stanford University and Portola Fire Protection District for the installation of fifty N5 smoke sensors across the Foothills WUI, 12 of which were placed on Palo Alto lands.
The “Implementation of Foothills Fire Management Plan mitigation measures” KPI is shown in Table 3.
9 2022 Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/environmental-compliance/sea-level- rise/palo-alto-sea-level-rise-vulnerability-assessment-june-2022-062822-linked-final.pdf
Table 3: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for Foothills Fire Management Plan Mitigation Measures (2022-2023)
Foothills Fire Management Plan Mitigation Measure 2022 2023 Number of residential defensive space re-inspections that are required 33 homes 18 homes
Percent of miles of overhead utility line tree trimming in Foothills completed
65.73%
(7.25 miles)
67.91%
(7.49 miles)
Total miles of electric lines undergrounded in the City of Palo Alto Utilities Foothills Coverage Area 17,600 feet
Percent of electric line miles undergrounded in the City of Palo Alto Utilities Foothills Coverage Area 51.3%
As a point of reference, in 2023, the city had about 116 miles of overhead lines and 195 underground lines, much of it in the Stanford Research Park area. About 2,000 residential units are currently served by the underground system while about 14,000 have overhead lines.
Natural Environment
GOALS
Restore and enhance resilience and biodiversity of our natural environment throughout the City
Increase tree canopy to 40% city-wide coverage by 2030 By 2030, achieve a 10% increase in land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff, compared to a 2020 baseline
KEY ACTIONS
Maintain and protect tree canopy
N1.Increase Palo Alto’s tree canopy
N2.Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss for all projects
N3.Reduce pesticide use in parks and open space preserves N4.Enhance pollinator habitat
N5.Establish a carbon storage of tree canopy baseline and KPI Restore and enhance biodiversity
N6.Maximize biodiversity and soil health
N7.Coordinate implementation of the City Natural Environment-Related Plans N8.Expand Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) requirements N9.Phase out gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
Reduce pollutants entering the Bay
N10.Support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan.
N11.Incorporate green stormwater infrastructure in municipal projects
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•City-wide Tree Canopy coverage
•Native species on City property and in new landscape projects (to measure biodiversity) •Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff The near-term focus for Natural Environment is to increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy, reduce pesticide usage in parks and open space preserves, and support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan and incorporate it in municipal projects. In order to make progress on the Natural Environment goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to maintain and protect tree canopy (N2, N3, N4, N5), restore and enhance biodiversity (N6, N7, N8, N9), and reduce pollutants entering the Bay (N10, N11).
Ongoing tree planting efforts to increase tree canopy will be integrated with traditional tree planting programs and Green Stormwater Infrastructure to provide co-benefits including carbon sequestration, improve water quality, capture stormwater when feasible, and reduce the urban heat island.
In August 2023, the City Council adopted an ordinance to expand the scope of the gas-powered leaf blower ban in residential neighborhoods and adopted a resolution increasing the administrative penalty related to gas-powered leaf blower use in residential neighborhoods.10 Natural Environment KPI: City-wide Tree Canopy coverage In 2023, citywide tree canopy coverage was 44%, however this includes open space and the Foothills Nature Preserve. Tree canopy coverage in urbanized areas only was 26%.
Natural Environment KPI: Native species on City property and in new landscape projects (to measure biodiversity)
There were no new landscape projects approved in 2023, so the KPI for “Native species on City property and in new landscape projects (to measure biodiversity)” cannot be calculated.
Natural Environment KPI: Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff
There is currently no data to report for the “Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff” KPI. The City is waiting on project approval to send out a request for proposals to calculate this KPI. The project is estimated to start in the Fall 2024, with reporting estimated to be ready by the end of 2025. 10 City Council, August 7, 2023; Agenda Item #13; SR #2306-1711, https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=66917&repo=r-704298fc&searchid=341eca8b-ab0d-4673- 83d8-361c31afb147
Zero Waste
GOALS
Divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, leading to zero waste Implement short- and medium-term initiatives identified in the 2018 Zero Waste Plan
KEY ACTIONS
Education and outreach
ZW1.Encourage food waste prevention and require food recovery from commercial food generators
ZW2.Promote residential food waste reduction
ZW3.Champion waste prevention, reduction, reusables, and the sharing economy ZW4.Provide waste prevention technical assistance to the commercial sector Collaborate on and expand policies
ZW5.Prioritize domestic processing of recyclable materials ZW6.Eliminate single-use disposable containers
ZW7.Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance ZW8.Implement Reach Code standard for low carbon construction materials
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Diversion rate
•Number of Zero Waste Plan 11 initiatives implemented
The near-term focus for Zero Waste is to encourage residents and businesses to reduce their food waste, which will also reduce the associated greenhouse gas emissions, lower their waste generation through the undertaking of zero waste living practices of using less at home and at work; to champion waste prevention technical assistance to businesses; eliminate single-use disposable containers; and prioritize domestic processing of recyclable materials.
In order to make progress on the Zero Waste goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions on education and outreach (ZW1, ZW2, ZW3, ZW4) and to collaborate on and expand policies (ZW5, ZW8). The City developed a new booklet for businesses, “Multi-Ordinance Checklist”, that summarizes Palo Alto’s Zero Waste and SB 1383 requirements such as requirements for the use of colored refuse containers as well as see-through colored bags to match the color of the containers for Compost, Recycle, and Landfill materials. The printed copies were mailed to 425 commercial businesses, specifically food service establishments, in November 2023. In addition, the City developed a new brochure for the Very Small Quantity Generator Program for household hazardous waste, and has been distributing it during household hazardous waste events and direct business engagement.
Expanding the Disposable Foodware Ordinance (ZW6) has been put on hold until further 11 2018 Zero Waste Plan, www.cityofpaloalto.org/zwplan
clarification is received through Senate Bill 54 final regulations and other recent legislation creating changes on what will be considered recyclable and compostable. The City developed and printed postcard and trifold brochures on the Disposable Foodware Ordinance/AB 1276 to be mailed and handed out to 450 food service establishments.
The Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance augmentation (ZW7) will be considered after evaluation of the current ordinance’s effectiveness.
In January 2023, the new reach code standard for low carbon construction materials went into effect. In June 2023, the City launched a new Zero Waste Living outreach campaign and newsletter that enhances and expands information to the community about actionable ways to tackle the waste challenges our community is dedicated to solving. The City is also working to develop waste prevention outreach tools and technical assistance for the commercial sector.
Zero Waste KPI: Diversion rate
As a result of the City’s efforts, the diversion rate for 2022 was 91%, an increase from 84% in 2020 and 2021, and 81% in 2019. The diversion rate for 2023 has not yet been calculated, as key data is not yet available.
Zero Waste KPI: Number of Zero Waste Plan initiatives implemented The City continues to implement Zero Waste Plan initiatives – 18 initiatives are complete (38%), 15 are in progress (31%), and 15 remain to be completed (31%).