RESOLUTION NO. XX
A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY, COMMITTING TO POLICIES
OPPOSING FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION AND ACCELERATING THE CLEAN ENERGY
TRANSITION AS PART OF THE SAFE CITIES MOVEMENT, AND ENDORSING THE CALL
FOR A GLOBAL FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
WHEREAS, our entire community is impacted by the health and safety risks of fossil fuel expansion, and particularly those who also face socioeconomic and health inequities, including youth, elders, Indigenous people, people of color, low-income people, those experiencing mental and physical disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and people with health conditions; and
WHEREAS, the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure and expanded reliance on fossil fuels exposes communities to untenable risks to the public’s health and safety at the local and global levels; and
WHEREAS, the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction; and
WHEREAS, our community is committed to a just energy transition and to appropriate investments that offset the impacts of evolving industries and employment as well as ambitious investments in the green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs, decarbonize our economy, and reduce future climate change; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Richmond’s city charter and the general police powers granted to Richmond, California empowers and authorize Richmond to adopt land use controls to provide for the regulation of land uses within the Richmond jurisdiction and to provide that such uses shall be consistent with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, Richmond fully recognizes the limits to its authority over transportation and handling of certain goods or other activities imposed by the city charter, and finds that this action is within its authority; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the city of Richmond, California reaffirms our “declaration” that a climate and ecological emergency threatens our city, region, state, nation, civilization, humanity and the natural world;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Richmond opposes the rollback of climate policy at any level of government, affirms its ongoing commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and pledges to meet its proportionate greenhouse gas reductions under the Paris Climate Agreement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Richmond endorses the call for a global Fossil Fuel Non- Proliferation Treaty that will end new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C, and accelerate equitable transition plans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Richmond urges the local, state, and federal governments to support the initiative for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Richmond intends to implement policies limiting or preventing fossil fuel expansion and promoting electrification as part of the SAFE Cities movement because of the inherent dangers to the public’s health and safety in extraction, transport, storage, and combustion of fossil fuels; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that city staff are directed to explore and develop SAFE Cities policy recommendations within 90 days in keeping with our local law-making power that limit fossil fuel infrastructure expansion and promote electrification and a clean energy future in order to protect public health and safety.
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I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on INSERT DATE, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney