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9 Attachment D: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Progress Report This progress report provides an update on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for calendar year 2024. 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 Significant actions and accomplishments from 2024 can be found on the Sustainability website2.
Climate Action
GOAL
Reduce GHG emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030
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 397,791 metric tons (MT) CO2e, or 5.9 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident in 2024 (50.2% decrease compared to 1990 levels). However, to achieve the 80 x 30 and carbon neutrality by 2030 goals, Palo Alto must meet a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target of 160,000 MT CO2e, or 2 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident by 2030. In order to make 1 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan;
https://www.paloalto.gov/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
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9 progress on the GHG reductions goal, in 2024 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 2024, the City held 51 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 187 attendees per event. The City published four Sustainability Newsletters and seven Climate Action blogs in 2024. The Sustainability Newsletter has a readership of 3,429 and a 56% 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%.
The 2024 Palo Alto Community Survey found that 1% of Palo Altans were extremely familiar, 4% were very familiar, 18% were moderately familiar, and 18% were slightly familiar with the S/CAP and its goal to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2030.5 Fifty-eight percent of Palo Altans were not familiar with the S/CAP and it’s 80 x 30 goal.
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. Three Palo Alto residents submitted a form certifying that they completed their Planet Protection Pledge goals in 2024.
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)
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)
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
Reduce natural gas use in buildings
E3.Reduce Gas Use in Major Facilities
E4.Reduce natural gas use at City facilities
5 Palo Alto Community Survey, 2024; https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city- manager/communications-office/general/palo-alto-community-survey-report-2024-final.pdf 1 0
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9 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 2024 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 2024, total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 23,781,222 therms7 or 127,051 MT CO2e, which is a decrease from 2023. In 2023, total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 27,382,162 therms or 146,289 MT CO2e. This is a slight increase from 2022, when total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 27,140,144 therms or 144,996 MT of CO2e. This is most likely because it was colder in the first three months of 2023 than it 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. The decrease between 2024 and 2023 is partly because January 2024 was the warmest January on record. It could also be partly because residents have replaced more gas appliances with electric appliances.
Energy KPI: Percentage of single-family households with no gas connections The City estimates that 2.0% of single-family households (289 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 Natural gas (methane) use in City facilities in 2024 decreased by 45 percent compared to the 2016 baseline. Data is currently not available for other major facilities. 7 One therm is the energy content of approximately 100 cubic feet of natural gas at standard temperature and pressure.
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9 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 2024 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 2023, 225,387 MT CO2e of citywide GHG emissions were attributed to on-road vehicle transportation. While VMT data were not available for 2024, City staff and external experts calculated a preliminary estimate of 2024 VMT based on 2023 per capita VMT, 2024 population for passenger vehicles, and service population for commercial vehicles and buses. The preliminary estimate of 226,019 MT CO2e is an increase compared to the past four years, but a decrease compared to pre-COVID-19 emissions from VMT. Emissions from passenger vehicles decreased slightly, but emissions from commercial vehicles and buses increased slightly.
EV KPI: Percentage of registered electric vehicles in Palo Alto
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9 Electric vehicles (EVs) made up 19% of all registered vehicles in Palo Alto in 2024 (9,673 EVs).9 This percentage follows a trend of increasing EV registrations in Palo Alto since 2021: EVs made up 11% of all registered vehicles in Palo Alto in 2021 (5,499 EVs out of 50,192 total registrations), 13% in 2022 (6,496 EVs), and 16% in 2023 (8,019 EVs).
EV KPI: Percentage of new vehicle sales that are EVs
In 2024, 54% of new vehicle purchases by Palo Alto residents were EVs. This is an increase compared to 2023, when 52% of new sales were EVs. 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 penetration 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 (416 residential units) had access to overnight EV charging at their place of residence through charging stations installed under the City’s EV Charger Rebate Program. By 2024, this number increased to 7.6% (814 residential units).
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 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
9 Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combined.
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9 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 2024 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 2023, total VMT was 597,735,000, which is an increase from 2022, when total VMT was 575,389,724. While VMT data were not available for 2024, City staff and external experts calculated a preliminary estimate of 2024 VMT based on 2023 per capita VMT, 2024 population for passenger vehicles, and service population for commercial vehicles and buses. The preliminary estimate of 601,350,463 is an increase from 2023, but significantly less than the pre-COVID 19 VMT of 952,584,400 in 2019.
Mobility KPI: Commute mode share for all modes
Table 1 shows the commute mode share for Palo Alto residents age 16 and older. These data are from the US Census American Community Survey. Data from 2019 is also included as a comparison to pre-COVID 19 pandemic commute mode share. The share of trips taken by solo drivers in automobiles has increased since 2022 but is less than 2019. The share of trips taken by Palo Alto residents driving in carpools has increased from all years. The share of Palo Alto residents taking public transportation has not returned to pre-COVID 10 levels. However, the share of Palo Alto residents bicycling and walking has increased since 2019. It is important to note that the share of Palo Alto residents working from home has increased significantly since 2019, with 9.7% working from home in 2019 compared to 22.4% working from in 2024. The share of Palo Alto residents working from home in 2024 decreased from both 2023 and 2022.
The large increase in Palo Alto residents working from home reduces the total number of work trips and changes the mode share for other modes.
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9 Table 1. Mode share estimates as a percentage of commute trips taken by Palo Alto residents age 16 and older
Mode 2019 2022 2023 2024
Automobile – Solo Driver 61.2% 46.1% 51.6% 51.5%
Automobile – Carpool 5.2% 2.4% 3.9% 6.2%
Taxi, motorcycle, or other 2.1% 1.7% 2.1% 1.2%
Public Transportation 8.0% 1.6% 2.3% 1.2%
Bicycle 10.0% 9.2% 6.7% 11.0%
Walk 3.9% 6.4% 5.4% 6.6%
Work from home 9.7% 32.6% 27.9% 22.4%
Table 2 shows the mode share for all trips taken within, inbound to Palo Alto, or outbound to Palo Alto by all travelers – residents, commuters, and visitors - in 2022 through 2023. These data are from Google Environmental Insights Explorer, which has not released transportation data for 2024. This includes travel mode share for Palo Alto, which is not yet available for 2024.
Data from 2019 is also included as a comparison to pre-COVID 19 pandemic trip mode share.
The shares of trips taken by automobile, rail, and walking in 2023 were comparable to 2022.
Bus ridership increased in 2023 compared to 2022, returning to pre-COVID 19 levels. However, rail ridership is still lower than pre-COVID 19 and bicycle ridership further decreased below pre- COVID 19 levels.
Table 2. Mode share estimates as a percentage of trips taken within, inbound to Palo Alto, or outbound from Palo Alto by all travelers
Mode 2019 2022 2023
Automobile 71.7% 79.8% 79.9%
Rail 2.8% 1.3% 1.5%
Bus 1.3% 0.8% 1.3%
Bicycle 5.2% 5.1% 4.6%
Walk 19% 13.1% 12.8%
Mobility KPI: Commute Benefits participation by City employees In 2024, 25% of full-time 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 2024, 1.2% of Palo Alto residents took transit for their commute to work. For all trips in Palo Alto by all travelers – residents, commuters, and visitors – 2.1% of all trips were by transit in 2023. 2024 data is not yet available. In 2024, 17.6% 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, and “frequent transit” is defined as a stop or station with service every 15 minutes or less. Since the introduction of Palo Alto Link in 2023, 67,000 Palo Alto residents (99% of the population) are covered by on-demand transit. 1 0
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9 Mobility KPI: Number and proportion of residents within a 10-minute walk of retail or other essential services/land uses
In 2024, 37,800 Palo Alto residents (56.2% of all 67,231 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)
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
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 2024, the City held three landscape workshops on water-saving topics including 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 3.
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9 Table 3: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for Water (2024) KPI 2024
Estimated indoor per capita residential water
consumption
17,927 Gallons per capita
Estimated outdoor residential water
consumption for irrigation
662 Million gallons
Water consumption of commercial
customers with irrigation meters
349 Million gallons
Amount of recycled water used in Palo Alto 63 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
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9 Management Plan implementation, zoning, and collaborating with Fire agencies. In order to make progress on the Climate Adaptation and Sea Level rise goals, in 2024 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. However, the Hamilton Avenue Capacity Upgrades Project has begun the planning phase. The Project is intended to reduce flooding that occurs during large storm events by increasing the storm drain capacity in a 183 acre watershed connected to San Francisquito Creek. Another capacity upgrade on Center Drive is planned for in the 2015 Storm Drain Master Plan that would improve drainage in a 26 acre watershed that flows to San Francisquito Creek.11,12
Sea Level Rise KPI: Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments Suggested alignments were identified as part of the Strategy to Advance Flood Control, Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation report produced by the San Francisquito Creek Joint Power Authority and then further vetted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The subsequent USACE feasibility study conducted in partnership with Valley Water, 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. This determination was predicated on a USACE model that does not factor in local assets with the federal cost benefit analysis (e.g., wastewater treatment facility or airport). Valley Water has indicated that smaller levee improvement projects may be considered for Valley Water funding and staff will explore those options as resources allow.
In parallel to levee improvements, 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 were published by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission in late 2024. The City is currently awaiting a determination about a SB1 Grant that was submitted by Santa Clara County Office of Sustainability to develop a regional sea level rise vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. The City of Palo Alto will be a grant partner if SB1 funding is received. This work will inform additional vulnerabilities, provide an estimated cost of inaction, and conceptual adaptation strategies to protect City and 11 Palo Alto Storm Drain Master Plan; 2015; https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/public- works/engineering-services/webpages/stormwater/storm-drain/storm-drain-master-plan-update-june-2015.pdf 12 Ballot Measure Description of the Proposed Storm Water Management Fee; 2017; https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/flood-and-storm/storm-water-management- program/stormwater-management-fee-ballot-2017-final.pdf 1 0
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9 community assets. If funded, this work will complement the preexisting City’s Vulnerability Assessment15 that was completed in 2022. SB1 grant funding is not slated to reexamine levee alignments themselves but would provide additional protection strategies that could be considered.
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 that encompasses vegetation management, utilities fire mitigation, policy recommendations, wildfire detection technologies, and overarching planning;
• 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 wildfire prevention and preparedness efforts; and, • Updating the 2025 Palo Alto Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)/ Foothills Fire Management Plan (FFMP)
The City is working on the deployment of emergency power systems including generators and solar battery back-up improvements in key locations to keep equipment online when electricity may be disrupted or disconnected during a fire. The Utilities Department is nearing completion of the undergrounding of electric lines in the Foothills region and removing de-energized lines and poles. They are also developing plans to harden utilities infrastructure from wildfire in this region. The City is also doing ongoing work to reduce flammable vegetation and other “fuels” in the foothills as part of a multi-year management plan.
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 4.
Table 4: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for Foothills Fire Management Plan Mitigation Measures (2022-2023)
Foothills Fire
Management
Plan Mitigation
Measure
2022 2023 2024
15 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 1 0
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9 Number of
residential
defensive space
re-inspections
that are required
33 homes 18 homes 21 homes
Percent of miles
of overhead
utility line tree
trimming in
Foothills
completed
65.73%
(7.25 miles)
67.91%
(7.49 miles)
54.49%
(2.91 of 5.34 total miles)
Total miles of
electric lines
undergrounded in
the City of Palo
Alto Utilities
Foothills
Coverage Area
Approx. 2.94 miles
(15,500 feet)
Approx. 1.04 miles
(5,500 feet)
Approx. 2.27 miles
(12,000 feet)
Percent of
electric line miles
undergrounded in
the City of Palo
Alto Utilities
Foothills
Coverage Area
31.5% 11.2% 24.4%
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
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9 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 2024 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.
Natural Environment KPI: City-wide Tree Canopy coverage 2024 canopy coverage data is not yet available. 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)
In 2024, City landscape projects included the Boulware Park renovation, Cameron Park butterfly garden installation, and Mitchell Park Dog Park. Of the 996 individual plants established at these sites, 935 were native to California. Across the sites, 22 native species were planted.
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.
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9 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 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 2024 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 clarification is received through Senate Bill 54 final regulations and other recent legislation
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9 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 2024 was 88%, which is a decrease from 91% in 2023 due to increased waste landfilled in calendar year 2024.
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%).