City of Sacramento
City Council Report
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Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-01247 8/16/2022 Discussion Item 12.
City Council Workshop on Accelerating Carbon Neutrality File ID: 2022-01247
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and comment on additional potential actions that could be taken to achieve carbon neutrality in advance of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan’s target date of carbon neutrality by 2045.
Contact: Helen Selph, Associate Planner, (916) 808-7852, [email protected], Community Development Department; Matt Hertel, Principal Planner, AICP, (916) 808-7158, [email protected], Community Development Department; Jennifer Venema, Climate Action Lead, (916) 808-1859, [email protected], Office of the City Manager; Ryan Moore, Director of Public Works, (916) 808-6629, [email protected], Public Works Department
Presenters: Matt Hertel, Principal Planner, AICP, (916) 808-7158, [email protected], Community Development Department; Jennifer Venema, Climate Action Lead, (916) 808-1859, [email protected], Office of the City Manager; Ryan Moore, Director of Public Works, (916) 808-6629, [email protected], Public Works Department Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: At the October 12, 2021, City Council meeting, City staff presented an update on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and a quarterly update on the 2021 Climate Implementation Work Plan. At that meeting, the City Council asked staff to conduct workshops to discuss the relationship between climate change and transportation as well discuss options for accelerating carbon neutrality. Two workshops were scheduled to adequately cover the issues. A Transportation and Climate Workshop was held during the February 8, 2022, City Council meeting.
This evening’s workshop focuses on carbon neutrality approach options and potential actions that City of Sacramento Page 1 of 4
File ID: 2022-01247 8/16/2022 Discussion Item 12.
could be taken to achieve carbon neutrality in advance of the CAAP’s target date of carbon neutrality by 2045, including the exploration of a 2030 carbon neutrality scenario. Staff will provide a verbal report with additional considerations for Council input.
On July 1, 2022, a Preliminary Public Review Draft of the Climate Action Plan <http://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/CDD/Planning/Major-Projects/18- 06051_Sac-CAAP_PreliminaryDraft_062922.pdf?la=en> (CAP) was released for an initial 30-day public review to provide an opportunity to the community for advanced review and comment on the draft mitigation measures proposed to reduce the Sacramento’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
The CAP identifies key decarbonization strategies and implementable actions that exceed the requirements of SB 32 and provide a foundation for achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
The Preliminary Public Review Draft CAP is a critical component of the larger Sacramento 2040 effort that involves a comprehensive update of the Sacramento General Plan, the complete Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and a Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR). The full set of documents are anticipated to be available for a 45-day review in late Fall 2022.
Although the CAAP will not be adopted by City Council until early 2023, City staff are already implementing key greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction measures from the forthcoming CAAP, including the New Building Electrification Ordinance, <http://www.cityofsacramento.org/SacElectrificationOrdinance> Existing Building Electrification Strategy <http://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Planning/Major- Projects/General-Plan/About-The-Project/Climate_Change/Existing-Building-Electrification>, Onsite Water Reuse and Dual Plumbing Study <http://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community- Development/Planning/Major-Projects/General-Plan/About-The-Project/Climate_Change/Onsite- Water-Reuse-Study>, advancing City fleet electrification, leveraging external resources to electrify low-income and affordable housing, and more.
The CAP meets the gold standard for climate action plans by establishing a GHG reduction target for 2030 that exceeds the requirements of SB32 and meets the requirements for a “qualified” GHG reduction plan and long-term GHG reduction goal for 2045, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A GHG reduction plan that meets the requirements of CEQA Guidelines § 15183.5(b) can act as a tool for streamlining the CEQA process for new development that aligns with the CAP. While GHG reduction measures in the CAP are quantified for both 2030 and 2045, the period between 2030 and 2045 is more speculative since less is known about future technology, future regulatory context, etc.
Policy Considerations: In November 2019, City Council committed to carbon neutrality by 2045 as a foundational strategy of the 2040 General Plan update (Resolution No. 2019-0433). With adoption of the 2040 General Plan and CAAP in early 2023, Council will confirm the City’s approach to GHG reduction and carbon neutrality.
The City’s Climate Emergency Declaration (Resolution No. 2019-0465) establishes the following commitment to nearer-term GHG emissions reductions:
Section 2.
The City of Sacramento commits to building on existing climate commitments and to City of Sacramento Page 2 of 4
File ID: 2022-01247 8/16/2022 Discussion Item 12.
taking significant action to sustain and accelerate municipal and community carbon elimination in the short term, with maximum feasible efforts to implement emergency-speed carbon reduction actions towards eliminating emissions by 2030 as much as possible, recognizing that such a goal can only be reached through collaboration with regional partners as well as appropriate financial and regulatory assistance from state and federal authorities.
Further, the Climate Emergency Declaration also affirms the importance of both the 2040 General Plan Update and CAAP to establish the City’s climate strategies:
Section 4.
The 2040 General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan shall present the City’s approach to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and emergency actions needed towards emissions elimination by 2030, building on recommendations and analysis from the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change, significant community outreach by City staff, and mitigation measures incorporated from climate experts, community members, and financial advisors.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This report does not involve activities that constitute a “project” as defined by Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(4) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Sustainability: The 2040 General Plan Update and CAAP will present Sacramento’s strategies to reduce GHG emissions and prepare for climate impacts. City action is critical to lead by example, facilitate rapid GHG reductions, and ensure an equitable transition to carbon neutrality. This workshop supports these efforts.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: This workshop provides an opportunity for input and discussion on potential actions that could be taken to advance the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan’s GHG emission reductions in the near-term and accelerating the carbon neutrality target date of 2045.
Financial Considerations: There are no immediate financial considerations for this report or workshop. However, in addition to the $4.4 million in one-time funding to implement CAP activities in its 2020/2021 budget, Appendix D of the Preliminary Public Review Draft CAP <chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http:/www.cityofsacramento.org/ -/media/Corporate/Files/CDD/Planning/Major-Projects/18-06051_Sac- CAAP_PreliminaryDraft_062922.pdf?la=en> provides estimated costs for full implementation of the CAP by 2045 will require a least $3.2 billion in direct City investment for City-led measures alone. If the Council desires to accelerate achievement of carbon reduction goals, new and more immediate City of Sacramento Page 3 of 4
File ID: 2022-01247 8/16/2022 Discussion Item 12.
funding resources would be necessary, in addition to the long-term $3.2 billion needed for CAP implementation.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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