Climate Action &
Adaptation Plan
Hearing Draft
January, 2024
PREPARED FOR
City of Sacramento
Sacramento City Hall
915 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
https://www.cityofsacramento.org/
In Consultation With:
Dyett & Bhatia
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
AIM Consulting, Inc
Hearing Draft
January, 2024
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01. Introduction 1
Sacramento Climate Action & Adaptation Plan .....................................................1 Climate Action Plan and Sustainability in Sacramento.........................................7 The Science of Climate Change............................................................................... 9
02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento 23
Conducting a GHG Emissions Inventory ...............................................................23 Current GHG Emissions in Sacramento ................................................................ 26 Sacramento’s GHG Emissions Over Time.............................................................. 28 GHG Emissions Forecast ........................................................................................ 30
03. Climate Action Targets 33
Key State Legislation ..............................................................................................33 IPCC-Informed Targets ........................................................................................... 36 Sacramento’s Climate Action Targets ................................................................... 36
04. Community Engagement 41
Community Informed Plan .....................................................................................41 Citywide Workshops .............................................................................................. 43 Youth Engagement and Outreach ........................................................................ 47 Equitable Engagement .......................................................................................... 49 Interest-Based Focus Group .................................................................................. 55 Scientific Survey Results ........................................................................................57 Integrating Feedback............................................................................................. 59
05. GHG Reduction Strategy 61
Measures and Actions Structure........................................................................... 63 Measure Strategy Summary .................................................................................. 64 GHG Reductions by the Numbers ......................................................................... 69 Measure Co-Benefits ...............................................................................................75 City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
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06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions 81
Built Environment .................................................................................................. 83 Transportation........................................................................................................ 98 Waste .......................................................................................................................113 Water and Wastewater.......................................................................................... 118 Carbon Sequestration...........................................................................................123
07. Adaptation 127
Building Resilience................................................................................................ 127 Climate Change Vulnerability ..............................................................................128 Goals, Policies, and Actions..................................................................................143
08. Implementation and Monitoring 183
Implementation Approach...................................................................................185 Funding and Financing Plan ................................................................................189 Monitoring the CAAP ............................................................................................193 Reporting on Progress ..........................................................................................194 Updating the CAAP ...............................................................................................194
09. Community Action and Sustainability 197
Community Action Guide .....................................................................................199
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures 217
Municipal GHG Emissions.....................................................................................218 Municipal Target Pathway ....................................................................................222 GHG Reduction Measures.....................................................................................223 A. Appendices 241
Appendix A - Community GHG Emissions Inventory and Forecast..................242 Appendix B - CAAP Regulatory Context............................................................ 292 Appendix C - Community Measures GHG Emissions Quantification .............. 304 Appendix D - Funding and Financing Strategy ................................................. 360 Appendix E - Municipal Inventory and Forecast .............................................. 398 Appendix F - Municipal Measures GHG Emissions Quantification ................. 424 Appendix G - Vulnerability Assessment............................................................. 448
FIGURES
Figure 1-1. Summary of Mayors Commission on Climate Change Recommendations ............. 4 Figure 1-2. Greenhouse Effect.........................................................................................................10 Figure 1-3. Annual Average Temperature (°F) Changes in Sacramento......................................12 Figure 1-4. Annual Number of Extreme Heat Days .......................................................................13 Figure 1-5. Wildfire in the 20th and 21st Centuries in California ................................................ 20 Figure 2-1. Volume of 1 MT CO2e..................................................................................................... 25 Figure 2-2. Sacramento’s 2016 GHG Emissions by Sector ............................................................ 26 Figure 2-3. Historic GHG Emissions by Year and Source (MT CO2e)............................................. 28 Figure 2-4. Per Capita GHG Emissions over Time ......................................................................... 29 Figure 2-5. Sacramento’s Business-as-Usual and Adjusted GHG Emissions Forecasts (MT CO2e) ...................................................................................................... 31 Figure 3-1. Key State and City of Sacramento Legislation .......................................................... 35 Figure 3-2. Sacramento’s Climate Action Targets Through 2045 (per capita).............................37 Figure 3-3. Sacramento’s GHG Forecast and Climate Action Targets (MT CO2e) ........................ 38 Figure 4-1. Key Engagement Events for the CAAP and General Plan......................................... 42 Figure 4-2. Community Feedback on Home Electrification ........................................................ 44 Figure 4-3. Community Feedback on EVs...................................................................................... 45 Figure 4-4. Community Feedback on Climate Change Impacts.................................................. 45 Figure 4-5. Youth Feedback on Active Transportation and Transit ............................................ 48 Figure 4-6. Scientific Survey Feedback on Transit ....................................................................... 58 Figure 4-7. Scientific Survey Feedback on Electrification........................................................... 58 Figure 5-1. GHG Emissions Reductions Breakdown by Measure (2030)......................................72 Figure 5-2. Sacramento’s Climate Action Targets and Reduction Pathway (MT CO2e) ...............72 Figure 6-1. Sustainable Transportation Hierarchy ....................................................................... 99 Figure 7-1. Monthly Average Unimpaired Inflows to Folsom Reservoir...................................129 Figure 7-2. Urban Heat Priority Intervention Areas Map ...........................................................149 Figure 10-1. Municipal GHG Emissions Inventory by Sector in 2016 ...........................................218 Figure 10-2. Municipal GHG Emissions Over Time (MT CO2e) ...................................................... 220 Figure 10-3. Municipal GHG Emissions Forecast (MT CO2e) .......................................................... 221 Figure 10-4. Municipal Target Pathway (MT CO2e) .........................................................................222 Figure 10-5. GHG Emissions Reductions from Municipal Measures (MT CO2e)...........................223 iii
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
TABLES
Table 2-1. Sacramento’s 2016 GHG Emissions by Sector ........................................................... 27 Table 2-2. Historic GHG Emissions by Year and Source (MT CO2e) ............................................ 29 Table 2-3. Sacramento’s BAU and Adjusted Forecasts (MT CO2e)...............................................31 Table 4-1. Citywide Workshop Demographics ........................................................................... 43 Table 5-1. CAAP Adjusted Forecast Summary............................................................................ 62 Table 5-2. GHG Reduction Potential by Sector and Measure ................................................... 70 Table 8-1. Primary City Department Measure Implementation Responsibilities................. 186 Table 8-2. Implementation Timeline ......................................................................................... 195 Table 10-1. Municipal GHG Emissions Inventory by Sector (MT CO2e) ......................................219 Table 10-2. Municipal GHG Emissions Reductions by Measure................................................ 224 iv
AAG-i
ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND GLOSSARY
A
AB – Assembly Bill
Actions – The implementable steps that
together will achieve a Measure goal.
Active Transportation – Includes
walking, biking, skating/rolling.
Adaptation – Improving the durability of community infrastructure and/ or services to withstand climate change
impacts (e.g., floods, extreme heat, etc.).
Adjusted Forecast – Adjusted version
of a BAU forecast to account for Stateand federal-level legislation and policies that are expected to reduce emissions
for all jurisdictions in California.
ADU(s) – Accessory Dwelling Unit(s)
Affordable by Design – Describes a
dwelling unit that is affordable to residents making less than 120% of the area’s median income by virtue of its design
rather than government subsidy (include
ADUs and small dwelling units).
Albedo – Reflectivity; the proportion of light
or radiation that is reflected by a surface
AMBAG – Association of Monterey
Bay Area Governments
ARI – Asian Resources, Inc.
B
BAU Forecast – Business-as-Usual Forecast;
estimates how Sacramento’s emissions would
change based on current activities and projected growth in population and jobs.
C
CAAP – Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
CAP – Climate Action Plan
CARB – California Air Resources Board
Carbon Neutrality – Carbon neutrality means
balancing the emissions created within the City
(e.g., through combustion of gasoline or usage
of electricity) with the emissions sequestered
(e.g., through carbon absorbed in trees or
soils) within that boundary. For Sacramento
to achieve carbon neutrality, all emissions will
need to be offset by sequestered emissions.
Carbon Sequestration – The process of
capturing, securing and storing carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere.
CBO – Community-Based Organizations
CCA – Community Choice Aggregation
CEQA – California Environmental Quality Act
CH4 – Methane
Climate Action Targets – Communitylevel GHG emissions reduction goals for 2030 and 2045.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
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Climate Equity – The City of Sacramento
defines climate equity as the equitable protection from climate change impacts and environmental hazards (e.g., extreme heat, increased energy prices, etc.), as well as access to environmental benefits for all communities (e.g., programs, policies, and projects that mitigate
climate change impacts). This means developing programs, policies, and projects that target historically under-resourced communities
within Sacramento, according to the understanding that these communities have been historically disadvantaged by policies in the
City, and in the United States more generally.
COPD – Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
CO2 – Carbon dioxide
CRP – Community Resource Project
D
E
EF – Emissions Factor
EJ – Environmental Justice
EJCGC – Environmental Justice
Collaborative Governance Committee
EJWG – Environmental Justice Working Group
Electrification – Conversion of fossil
fuel equipment, such as a gas-fired
furnace or gasoline-powered car to
electric-powered equipment.
EO – Executive Order
EPA – United States Environmental
Protection Agency
Equity or Just Transition – Refers to the
transition from a consumption-based,
extractive economy to a regenerative
economy, with special consideration to address
the past harm to frontline communities.
ESPC – Energy Savings Performance Contract
EV(s) – Electric Vehicles
F
Funding and Financing – Refers to the
breadth of financial solutions available to
fund projects or initiatives. Funding specifically refers to money provided or allocated for a particular purpose with no expectation
of repayment. Financing specifically refers
to money provided with the expectation of
repayment over time, with interest (e.g., a loan).
Frontline Communities – Are those that
experience continuing injustice—including
people of color, immigrants, people with
lower incomes, people experiencing homelessness or houselessness, differently-abled persons, seniors, and indigenous people—
face a legacy of systemic, largely racialized,
inequity that influences their living and
working places, the quality of their air and
water, and their economic opportunities.
AAG-iii
G
GHG(s) – Greenhouse Gas(es)
GHG Emissions Sector – A category of GHG
emissions within a community that broadly
describes where GHG emissions are coming
from (e.g., transportation, buildings, etc.).
GWP(s) – Global Warming Potential(s)
H
HFC(s) – Hydrofluorocarbon(s)
HVAC – Heating, Ventilation,
and Air Conditioning
I
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Infill Growth – Rededication of land within
an existing urban area to new construction
to avoid expansion of the urban area.
Infiltration Capacity (of soil) – Maximum rate
at which soils and rocks can absorb rainfall
IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change
J
K
Key Performance Indicator – A pre-defined
and measurable success metric to concretely
evaluate the success of an initiative.
L
LED – Light-emitting diodes; high-efficiency lightbulb technology.
Levee – An embankment built to
prevent the overflow of a river.
LFLP – Local Food, Local Places
LHMP – Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
LID – Low Impact Development
M
Measure – Specific, data-driven opportunity
for reducing GHG emissions in a specific sector.
Mobility – Movement of a person
or people from place to place.
Mode share – Percentage of trips within a
community attributable to a particular mode
(or type) of transportation, such as car or bike.
MPOs – Metropolitan Planning Organizations
MT CO2e – Metric Tons of Carbon
Dioxide equivalent
N
NCDC – National Climatic Data Center
Net-energy Metering – A billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.
N2O – Nitrous oxide
O
OPR – Governor’s Office of
Planning and Research
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
AAG-iv
P
PACE – Property-Assessed
Clean Energy programs
PM2.5 – Particulate Matter
PPA – Power Purchase Agreement
Q
Qualified GHG Reduction Plan – A GHG
reduction plan that meets the requirements
of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Guidelines 15183.5(b) and acts as a
tool for streamlining the CEQA process for
new development that aligns with the plan.
R
Regional San – Sacramento
Regional Sanitation District
RNG – Renewable Natural Gas
ROI – Return On Investment
RPS – Renewable Portfolio Standard
RWA – Sacramento Regional Water Authority
S
SacEV – Sacramento EV
SacRT – Sacramento Regional Transit
SB – Senate Bill
SB 1383 – A landmark waste mandate
adopted by the State of California in 2016,
which requires the State to reduce organic
waste disposal 75% below 2014 levels by
2025 and increase edible food recovery 20%.
Small-lot Home – Equal to or less than
5,200 square feet for interior lots and
6,200 square feet for corner lots.
SMUD – Sacramento Municipal Utility District
T
TNC – Transportation Network
Company (e.g., Uber, Lyft)
TSMP – Transportation System
Management Plan
U
USDN – Urban Sustainability Directors Network
V
VMT – Vehicle Miles Traveled
W
Waste Diversion – Recycling or composting
rather than sending waste to the landfill.
Weir – Low dam built across a
river to regulate its flow.
X
Y
Z
ZEV(s) – Zero Emission Vehicle(s)
1 INTRODUCTION
01. Sacramento
Climate Action &
Adaptation Plan
The City of Sacramento’s Climate Action and
Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is a crucial step in the
City’s long-standing efforts to mitigate and
adapt to climate change. The CAAP builds off
the City’s 2012 Climate Action Plan, the City’s
Climate Emergency Declaration, and incorporates recommendations from the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change. Recent events
1. International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2022). Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ continue to emphasize the urgent need for
climate action. Developed with extensive community engagement, the CAAP will position Sacramento to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions while adapting to the inevitable
impacts that are already taking place.
In order to avoid the most destructive and
costly impacts of climate change, the world
must achieve carbon neutrality by the middle
of this century.1 With less than 30 years remaining to reach this goal, the CAAP sets new and ambitious targets for the City and identifies key
strategies and actions that form the foundation
of Sacramento’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
CHAPTER
2 01. Introduction >
KEY CAAP TERMS
CARBON NEUTRALITY: Carbon
neutrality means balancing the
emissions created within the
City (e.g., through combustion of
gasoline or usage of electricity)
with the emissions sequestered
(e.g., through carbon absorbed
in trees or soils) within that
boundary.
CLIMATE EQUITY: The City
of Sacramento defines climate
equity as the equitable protection
from climate change impacts
and environmental hazards (e.g.,
extreme heat, increased energy
prices, etc.), as well as access to
environmental benefits for all
communities (e.g., programs,
policies, and projects that
mitigate climate change impacts).
This means developing programs,
policies and projects that target
historically under-resourced and
low-income communities within
Sacramento.
Sacramento Farmers Market
Coupled with the urgency to act, the City must
center policies and actions around climate
equity. Though climate change affects everyone, it is expected to most profoundly impact under-resourced communities. To ensure the
equitable distribution of both short-term costs
(through the targeted application of funding
and financing) and long-term benefits (by
prioritizing historically under-resourced communities during implementation) the CAAP was designed to help mitigate the upfront
cost impacts to low-income communities
that are associated with CAAP implementation and includes key actions and metrics to work towards a just and resilient future
for Sacramento.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction >
3 THE MAYORS’ COMMISSION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE
In 2019, the Mayors of Sacramento and West
Sacramento convened a Commission on
Climate Change to chart a path towards carbon
neutrality by 2045. The Commission was made
up of 19 representatives from major partners in
the region. In addition, dozens of other leaders
were engaged in technical working groups
on the key topics of equity, mobility, the built
environment, community health and resilience, and finance and funding. These technical reports fed into a final report (dated June 2020)
from the Commission that outlines a highlevel pathway towards carbon neutrality for Sacramento and West Sacramento.
2. The complete Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change Report can be found here, along with more information on the Commission, meeting materials, and recorded meetings: https://www.legacy.civicwell.org/climatecommission/ These recommendations, which are summarized in Figure 1-1 by topic area, became the foundation for CAAP development, providing the high-level guidance and leadership required to establish an aggressive yet implementable plan. From the high-level policy directions such as building electrification and
increased mobility, the CAAP has developed
specific actions that the City will take to make
progress towards the carbon neutrality goal
and the targets identified by the Commission.
Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 provide additional detail on the CAAP’s consistency with the intent and direction of the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommendations.2
MAYORS COMMISSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES
URGENCY: Take significant action in the short term
ADVOCACY: Advocate for State and regional policies needed to achieve zero carbon
ACCOUNTABILITY: Assign dedicated senior level support to climate action EDUCATION: Educate the public and stakeholders on addressing climate change FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY: Prioritize actions that spur innovation, economic development, and jobs growth.
4 01. Introduction >
Figure 1-1. Summary of Mayors Commission on Climate Change Recommendations
MOBILITY
Investments to reduce emissions stemming from the Mobility sector, the largest source of emissions for both Sacramento and West Sacramento, should follow a funding
priority hierarchy that first prioritizes active
transportation, followed by transit and
shared mobility, and finally ZEVs. Following
this hierarchy will enable the cities to achieve
equitable outcomes and deliver multiple benefits
to communities.
Transit & Shared
Mobility
ZEVs
Active Transportation
Active Transportation
Expand and enhance accessibility to low-stress, connected infrastructure for walking and rolling, prioritizing improvements that address specific community and neighborhood needs so that:
• 30% of all trips are by active transportation by 2030. • 40% by active transportation by 2045.
Transit & Shared Mobility
Expand and improve transit and shared mobility services to be more accessible, affordable, timely and attractive than single-occupancy-vehicle use so that:
• 30% of all trips are by transit and pooled shared mobility by 2030. • 50% by transit and pooled shared mobility by 2045.
Zero-Emission Vehicles
Develop a comprehensive package of incentives, disincentives and policies to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) so that:
• 70% of new vehicle registrations will be for ZEVs by 2030. • All public, private and shared fleets fully electrified by 2045.
01. Introduction >
5 BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The built environment strategy focuses both on sustainable land use (how development is sited and organized) as well as the decarbonization of new and existing buildings. The Commission also points out the importance of sustainable land use patterns in decreasing car travel and increasing transit and active transportation.
Sustainable Land Use
Support infill growth consistent with the regional Sustainable Communities Strategy to ensure that:
• 90% of the cities' growth is in the established and center/corridor communities and is 90% small-lot and attached homes by 2040. • Project level VMT is 15% below (or 85% of ) the regional average.
Electrification of New Construction
Mandate all-electric construction to eliminate fossil-fuel use in new low-rise* buildings by 2023 and all buildings by 2026** *Low-rise defined as under 4 stories.
**Provided that the costs to go all-electric are cost-effective including the incremental costs of electrical infrastructure upgrades and the technology has shown to be feasible.
Electrification of Existing Buildings
Transition 25% of existing residential and small commercial buildings to all electric by 2030.
Urban Greening and Forestry
Expand green infrastructure to ensure that all neighborhoods, starting with historically marginalized communities and tree-deficient neighborhoods, have:
• Access to green space within a quarter-mile by 2030.
• A baseline canopy of 25% by 2030, and 35% by 2045.
Sustainable Food Systems
Increase food security and access to healthy, affordable food for all communities, while supporting a regenerative food system by:
• Access to green space within a quarter-mile by 2030.
Electrification of Existing Buildings
Transition 25% of existing residential and small commercial buildings to all electric by 2030.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND RESILIENCY
The strategies included in this sector highlight opportunities to avoid or reduce carbon emissions while achieving important public health and climate resilience benefits. 6 01. Introduction >
EQUITY
Equity was at the center of the Mayors Commission on Climate Change recommendations. They stated that “Accessibility, inclusivity, and shared decision-making lie at the heart of these strategies. All of the recommendations should be interpreted through a clear and focused equity lens. In their drive to carbon zero, the cities should take targeted measures to ensure that those who are least culpable and resourced are not burdened by climate-action measures. Rather, they should work to ensure that these communities benefit first and most by the investments, improvements and new jobs generated through climate action. “ The core recommendations of the Commission on Equity included:
1. Operationalize equity by providing education, ensuring shared decision-making, and allocating resources that address historical and current disparities.
2. Authentically and inclusively involve marginalized communities and populations that have been historically left out of the policymaking and governance process as co-creators in all planning and implementation phases to ensure fair, equitable outcomes.
3. Expand the capacities of cultural brokers and community-based organizations that have established relationships with marginalized communities, leveraging existing community engagement efforts when possible.
The City of Sacramento used these recommendations to inform the development of the CAAP.
Specifically, the City worked with the Environmental Justice Working Group to identify equity considerations that form the basis of the equity definition in the CAAP, conducted equity focused outreach and engagement, and utilized the equity considerations during the development of the CAAP measures and actions.
01. Introduction > Climate Action Plan and Sustainability in Sacramento 7 Climate Action Plan
and Sustainability
in Sacramento
Sacramento is a growing City with a long
history of climate action and sustainability.
This history helped guide the framework for
the CAAP. As of 2016, Sacramento had reduced
GHG emissions 19% since 2005.
Mobility
Sacramento has taken major steps to improve
transit and active transportation opportunities.
The City installed miles of new parking protected bikeways, improved crosswalks, opened the city to electric bike and scooter share, and
provided free transit passes for youth. All of
these efforts can shift City travel away from
single occupancy vehicles and towards healthier and more sustainable options.
Electric Vehicles
Sacramento has been a leader in increasing
electric vehicle (EV) adoption by expanding
public and workplace charging stations (now
over 600 citywide), adopting forward-thinking
charger requirements for new construction,
building innovative partnerships, and planning for a future of emissions-free and even self-driving cars.
Energy and Buildings
Sacramento has unique opportunities to transition the built environment away from fossil fuels. Between Sacramento’s newly adopted
new building electrification ordinance and the
leadership of the Sacramento Municipal Utility
District (SMUD), a carbon-free built environment is closer than historically thought. Now is the right time to start electrifying due to
the combination of SMUD’s low rates (some of
the lowest in California), excellent rebates, and
Sacramento’s climate.
City of Trees
Sacramento is well known as the City of Trees,
with more than 19% of the city covered by tree
canopy. These trees provide numerous benefits
to Sacramento by cleaning the air, sequestering
carbon, reducing water runoff, and keeping
temperatures manageable during extreme heat
events. By expanding the canopy, especially in
neighborhoods with low tree coverage, the
City can increase carbon sequestration, address
climate injustice, and build resilience to a
changing climate.
Street in Midtown, Sacramento
8 01. Introduction > Climate Action Plan and Sustainability in Sacramento
A QUALIFIED GHG
REDUCTION PLAN
This CAAP provides a pathway for the City of
Sacramento to reduce GHG emissions consistent with state goals. In particular, the CAAP Update was developed to exceed the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 32, which calls for a reduction in statewide GHG emissions 40%
below 1990 levels by 2030. The CAAP also
demonstrates the City’s plan for substantial
progress towards consistency with the State
of California’s statewide policy goals for GHG
emission reductions, as enacted by AB1279
and the California Air Resource Board’s 2022
Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality
which sets a path to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 with at least 85% reduction in GHG emissions from 1990 levels.3 In addition,
this CAAP will fulfill the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines § 15183.5(b) to be a “qualified” GHG
reduction plan. Under CEQA, local agencies
must evaluate the environmental impacts of
new development projects, including impacts
from GHG emissions associated with their construction and operation. This process can be cumbersome for local agencies and developers
alike and may result in project delays. The CEQA
Guidelines recognize this and provide an option
for new development projects to streamline
the analysis of GHG emissions under CEQA,
a process called “tiering.” As a qualified GHG
reduction plan, the CAAP addresses six criteria
per CEQA Guidelines § 15183.5(b)4, as follows:
3. The details of SB 32 and EO B-55-18, as well as other relevant legislation, is included in Appendix B.
4. https://www.califaep.org/docs/CEQA_Handbook_2023_final.pdf (Page. 262)
1. Quantify existing and projected GHG
emissions within the plan area (CAAP
Chapter 2 and Appendix A)
2. Establish a reduction target, consistent with
statewide GHG reduction goals (such as
those established by SB32), that is achievable
based on substantial evidence, below which
emissions would not be considered cumulatively considerable. (CAAP Chapter 3 and Appendix C)
3. Identify and analyze sector-specific GHG emissions from Plan activities (CAAP Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 and Appendix C)
4. Specify policies and actions (measures) that
local jurisdictions will enact and implement
over time to achieve specified reduction
target (CAAP Chapter 5 and Chapter 6)
5. Establish a tool to monitor progress and
amend if necessary (CAAP Chapter 8)
6. Adopt in a public process following environmental review (Associated EIR Resolution XX) This CAAP meets CEQA requirements for qualified GHG reduction plans and will provide the City of Sacramento and its developers a critical tool for streamlining development through 2030 (i.e., the horizon year associated with SB
32). The CAAP is also consistent with the City’s
General Plan Update, using the same population, housing, and VMT growth projections. The City considers this especially important, given
the current need for new affordable housing.
By developing a qualified GHG reduction plan
the City has provided new construction a viable
pathway through CEQA and provides a pathway
for development to meet the long-term goals
of the City in a cost-effective manner.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
9 The Science of
Climate Change
GHG EMISSIONS AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
GHG emissions are molecules in the Earth’s
atmosphere that trap energy from the sun. This
is called the greenhouse effect (See Figure 1-2).
Historically, the greenhouse effect has made
Earth warm enough to sustain life. However,
since the Industrial Revolution, anthropogenic
(human-caused) activities have increased the
concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere,
amplifying the greenhouse effect and causing
a global change in climate patterns. Over 97%
of climate scientists agree that climate change
is occurring and that human activities are the
root cause.5
At the community level, carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) are
the most common GHGs, making up 97% of
the GHG emissions generated in the United
States.6 GHGs are predominantly released into
the atmosphere via the combustion of fossil
fuels or as a result of other chemical reactions. In cities, GHG emissions come from four main sectors: buildings, transportation, waste,
and water. Building emissions are associated
5. NASA. (2022). Scientific Consensus: Earth’s Climate is Warming. Retrieved from: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
6. World Resources Institute. (2022). 4 Charts Explain Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Countries and Sectors. Retrieved from:
https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/02/greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country-sector
7. International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Working Group 1: The Physical Science Basis. Retrieved from: https://www.ipcc.ch/working-group/wg1/
with electricity and natural gas used by commercial, residential, and municipal buildings.
Transportation emissions are generated by
fuels used to power cars, trucks, and off-road
vehicles. Waste generates methane emissions from trash (especially organic materials) decomposing in the landfill. Water-related
emissions are generated by the electricity used
to transport water for residential, commercial,
and agricultural use, as well as emissions from
wastewater treatment processes.
The International Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) projects that a reduction in GHG emission to carbon neutrality by mid-century or earlier is required to limit warming trends from
climate change to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit and
limit the worst impacts of climate change.7
I Street Bridge and Downtown Sacramento
Some heat continues into space while the
rest, trapped by greenhouse gases, help
maintain the planet’s relatively comfortable temperatures.
LESS GAS =
LESS HEAT TRAPPED IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Retaining more reliable:
• Weather
• Rainfall
• Temperature
• Sea Level
MORE GAS =
MORE HEAT TRAPPED IN THE ATMOSPHERE
More intense:
• Storms
• Drought
• Heat
• Sea Level Rise
Increased greenhouse gases means less
heat escapes to space. Between preindustrial times and now, the earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.8°F (1.0°C).
WITH NORMAL
GREENHOUSE GASES
WITH INCREASED
GREENHOUSE GASES
In the last century, human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have caused a jump in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
THE RESULT: Extra trapped heat and higher global temperatures. 1001. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Figure 1-2. Greenhouse Effect
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
11 HOW WILL CLIMATE
CHANGE AFFECT
SACRAMENTO?
Climate change impacts are already being
felt, and are projected to cause increasingly
hazardous conditions for life on Earth, including increased heat waves, wildfires, drought, extreme storms, flooding, and sea level rise.
In addition to these direct impacts, secondary
impacts of climate change include adverse
changes to biological resources and public
health.8 The following section outlines the
key climate risks expected in the Sacramento
region, drawing on publicly available data
produced by the Geospatial Innovation
Facility at the University of California, Berkeley
with funding and advisory oversight by
the California Energy Commission and the
California Strategic Growth Council, comparing the historical period to mid-century projections.
8. National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (February 2019). Climate Change and Health in California. Retrieved from:
https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/climate-change-health-impacts-california-ib.pdf
9. Per Cal-Adapt, annual average maximum temperature is the average of the hottest (maximum) temperatures for every day in a year, calculated using each day’s highest projected temperature and then averaging those daily highs across the entire year
10. Urban heat island effect occurs from higher levels of combustion and paved/built surfaces in urban areas, which retains heat in the urban area relative to less dense surrounding areas.
Temperature Increase
As GHG emissions increase, temperatures are
also increasing globally, placing growing stress
on human health, water resources, energy
systems, and other assets. Sacramento’s climate
is no exception. Historically (i.e., pre-2005),
the average annual maximum temperature in
Sacramento has been 74.1°F.9 Temperatures are
projected to increase by 4 to 5°F throughout
Sacramento by mid-century (Figure 1-3). Under
these conditions, Sacramento could experience hotter and significantly drier conditions.
The effects of temperature increase are likely
to be felt throughout Sacramento – especially
in more densely developed areas with less
green space – between May and October each
year, with temperatures peaking in July and
August. Therefore, these impacts are felt more
acutely by under-resourced and lower income
communities. Overall temperature increase can
also lead to more frequent extreme heat days
and heatwaves; the intensification of the urban
heat island effect;10 greater heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion; and stress to infrastructure, as discussed below.
12 01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Figure 1-3. Annual Average Temperature (°F) Changes in Sacramento City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
13 Extreme Heat Days
Historically (pre-2005), Sacramento has
experienced about four extreme heat days
per year, which are defined as days with
maximum temperature over 103.9°F. By midcentury, Sacramento is projected to experience between 18 and 22 extreme heat days per year
(Figure 1-4). July and August are likely to be the
most critical months for increased temperature
effects, but the effects of high heat days
will likely be felt throughout the spring and
summer. The average temperature of a high
heat day is also projected to increase to 108.4°F
by the end of the century. Communities
without access to air conditioning or cooling
centers will be most at risk.
Figure 1-4. Annual Number of Extreme Heat Days
14 01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Heat Waves
Heat waves are periods of four or more days of
sustained, extreme heat. Historically, the
Sacramento region experienced about one to
two heatwaves per decade. By midcentury,
Sacramento is projected to experience three
multi-day heat waves per year, each projected
to last between 7.6 to 9.1 days.
11. Shindell, Drew; Zhang, Yuqiang; Scott, Melissa; Ru, Muye; Stark, Krista; Ebi, Kristie L. (March 2020). The Effects of Heat Exposure on Human Mortality Throughout the United States. Retrieved from:
The Effects of Heat Exposure on Human Mortality Throughout the United States (duke.edu) Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat waves and sustained high heat days are
the nation’s deadliest weather disaster and
can cause heat-related illness such as heat
exhaustion or heat stroke. Many people can
take refuge in cooler environments to reduce
their exposure to excessive heat; however,
outdoor workers, unhoused residents, and
people without air conditioning equipment or
adequate ventilation, and people who may be
unable to pay for increased energy use by using
air conditioning are most vulnerable, making
extreme heat a public health issue. Those who
fear exposure to crime may hesitate to open
windows, residents with limited transportation options may be unable to travel to cooler locations, while some may not be aware of the
dangers posed by high heat or may not think
of themselves as susceptible. Some individuals,
including the elderly, those taking certain types
of medication, and children, can also be more
sensitive to the effects of heat. Extreme heat
currently kills as many as 12,000 people a year
in the United States, an issue that is expected
to worsen due to climate change without a
focus on adaptation.11
High Summer Temperature Reading
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
15 Urban Heat Islands and Tree Canopy
Heat islands are urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than less developed outlying areas due to human activities.
Structures such as buildings, roads, and other
infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s
heat more than features of the natural landscape such as forests and water bodies. Urban areas where these structures are highly concentrated and greenery is limited become “islands” of higher temperatures relative to
outlying areas. Increased daytime temperatures, reduced nighttime cooling, and higher air pollution levels associated with urban heat
islands can impact public health and lead
to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or even loss
of life. In Sacramento, the urban heat island
effect is most prevalent in or near industrial
areas. Residents living near urban heat islands
without access to heat relief and lacking air
conditioning are most vulnerable to these
health effects, and most often comprise low-income households and people of color. Over the course of the next several decades as average
daily temperatures continue to increase, the
urban heat island effect will become more pronounced in Sacramento. Increasing the number of trees and green space is one of the most
effective ways to reduce the intensity of the
urban heat island effect, but the use of high-albedo materials that lower heat absorption by buildings and roads can also help. Likewise,
misters and drinking fountains can offer respite,
especially in vulnerable areas.
Urban Heat Islands and Tree Canopy: Due to
the urban heat island effect, heat can fluctuate
by as much as 8 degrees between different
areas of the City according to canopy cover. The
distribution of heat is inequitable in the community. Some North Sacramento neighborhoods can be as much as 12.68 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than outside of City limits,
and neighborhoods along south Franklin
Boulevard can be as high as 15.15 degrees
warmer than outside city limits. The City partnered with NASA for an analysis of urban heat impacts in the community. An interactive story
map is available online.
Urban Heat Island Effect
16 01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Heat-Related Infrastructure
Impacts
High temperatures can impact key infrastructure, including energy generation and distribution and transportation. High temperatures decrease the efficiency of power lines while
increasing the demand for energy-intensive
uses such as air conditioning and other cooling
equipment. This results in a higher risk of blackouts and increases energy bills. These impacts can strain household budgets, increase exposure to heat, and disrupt medical and social services. Extremely high temperatures can also damage roadways, railways, and bridges, as
well as reduce the comfort and feasibility of
walking, biking, and taking public transit.
Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) powers
their light rail system with overhead catenary
systems lines, which can stretch with heat and
may lead to severing of the connection with
the rail car.
12. Per Cal-Adapt Local Climate Change Snapshot Tool, projected Annual Average Precipitation at Mid-Century under a Medium Emissions (RCP 4.5) Scenario and a High Emissions (RCP 8.5) Scenario. https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/ Changes in Precipitation Patterns
Overall, annual precipitation is expected to
increase in the Sacramento region to between
20.3 and 25.7 inches per year;12 however, this
increase will not occur at a uniform rate
throughout the year. Rainfall will become more
concentrated in the winter months and fall in
fewer, higher-intensity events. These high
intensity storms may produce higher volumes
of runoff, contribute to increased flood risk,
damage transportation infrastructure such as
roads and bridges, and contribute to levee
failure. Meanwhile, the spring and summer
months are expected to see the largest reductions in rainfall compared to historical patterns.
These changes could lead to drought, groundwater depletion, increased wildfire risk, changes in streamflow, decreased drinking
water supply and availability, and strain to
health, energy, and infrastructure systems.
SacRT Rail Car in Motion Sacramento River
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
17 Flooding
Historically, flooding has been the most frequent natural hazard in the Sacramento region.
The extensive network of levees, dams, and
weirs built for flood protection face a monumental task, which only looms larger as infrastructure ages and climate change induces larger storms and promotes sea level rise.
Historic floods have damaged bridges and
levees and resulted in significant numbers of
people injured, killed, or forced to evacuate.
Between 1996 and 2015, the National Climatic
Data Center (NCDC) reported 32 flood events
within Sacramento County, amounting to a
total of $13,326,000 in lost property damages.
Large floods can result in damage to electric
and transportation infrastructure, destruction
of homes and businesses, increased rates of
flood-borne disease, and loss of life. Flooding
effects will be felt most strongly in low-lying
areas, areas dependent on levee protection,
and areas with inadequate stormwater
infrastructure.
Storms
Storm runoff, particularly during high-intensity
storms, can lead to erosion and localized flooding. This could result in significant impacts to local species and habitats and poses a risk to
human health and structures. The strong winds
that can occur during heavy storms can also
damage structures and pose a threat to electricity infrastructure. Wooden crossbars and pole-mount transformers on distribution-voltage utility poles can be damaged by wind speeds as low as 60 miles per hour. Moderate
winds can damage distribution-voltage utility
poles and cause lines to sway and result in
cross-phase shorting. Individuals living in
mobile homes are especially vulnerable to the
effects of high winds.
Flooded Sacramento Street Fallen Power Pole
18 01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Changes in Winter Snowpack
Sacramento’s municipalities, industries, and
ecosystems rely on the gradual melting of the
Sierra snowmelt to provide a reliable supply of
summertime freshwater and hydroelectric
power. As temperatures increase, more precipitation will fall as rain instead of snow and snowmelt will occur earlier in the year, reducing the Sierra Nevada spring snowpack by as much as
70 to 90 percent.13 Disruption to the processes
that ensure adequate snow supply will have a
significant impact on energy generation, water
availability, flood risk, and ecosystem health
throughout California and in Sacramento.
Earlier snowmelt will reduce the amount of
water available for consumption during the
summer, potentially leading to water scarcity.
Reductions in winter snowpack are associated
with declines in summer soil moisture content,
which in turn increases wildfire risk and can
impair water quality.
13. Data from Cal-Adapt, Local Climate Change Snapshot Tool: Snowpack, https://cal-adapt.org/tools/snowpack
14. Data from Cal-Adapt Local Climate Change Snapshot Tool: Extended Drought Scenarios, https://cal-adapt.org/tools/extended-drought Drought
The combination of warmer temperatures,
changing precipitation patterns, and decreased
winter snowpack will likely cause longer and
more intense droughts in California and the
Sacramento region. Modeling of an extended
late-Century drought scenario indicates that
average annual precipitation between 2051
and 2070 could be as low as 78 percent of historical median annual precipitation averaged over the North Coast and Sierra California
regions.14 While drought on this scale would
have far reaching consequences, drought on a
lesser scale can lead to reduced soil moisture,
increased risk of wildfire, and reductions in
streamflow. Drought conditions have profound
impacts on water availability and increase
demand for groundwater and compromise
levee integrity. Other impacts of drought
include dust storms, flash flooding, lower crop
yields, and reduced water quality.
Reduced Sierra Nevada Snowpack Lost Soil Moisture
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
19 Groundwater Supply
Streamflow declines and changes in precipitation patterns anticipated under continued global climate change will likely increase
demand for groundwater. Groundwater currently comprises about one-third of the Sacramento region’s water use, and studies
have shown that regional rates of groundwater
extraction increase under drought conditions.
While the City’s groundwater supplies are currently being managed sustainably, too much stress on the groundwater supply can lead to
higher groundwater pumping costs, decreased
streamflow, land surface subsidence, and loss
of wetland ecosystems.
Water and Soil Quality
Even after a fire is put out, it can continue to
have detrimental effects on the environment
and surrounding communities. The infiltration
capacity of soil is reduced following wildfire,
increasing the risk of landslides and waterbody
contamination. Ash debris from wildfires may
contain high levels of heavy metals and cause
long-term effects on soil and water quality.
American River at the Auburn Recreation Area Grass Fire Ash Debris 20 01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Wildfire
15. California Natural Resources Agency. (2018). California’s Changing Climate 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/ files/2019-11/20180827_Summary_Brochure_ADA.pdf
Wildfire risk and intensity will continue to
increase as climate change brings increased
temperatures, a reduced snowpack, and altered
precipitation patterns. California has an extensive history of wildfires, with large-scale, highly -destructive fires becoming increasingly
common. Within Sacramento County itself,
three major wildfires, causing a total of three
million dollars in property damage, occurred
between 2014 and 2021.While wildfire is
unlikely within City limits, the smoke caused
by wildfire creates impacts on air, and wildfires
within the County can regionally affect water
and soil quality, cause damage to energy infrastructure and roads, and create strain on local firefighting resources as the fire department
is called to respond to fires across the region
and state. Projections from California’s Fourth
Climate Change Assessment predict that fires
could burn up to 178% more acres per year by
the end of the century compared to current
averages (Figure 1-5).15
Figure 1-5. Wildfire in the 20th and 21st Centuries in California City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
21 Air Quality
Wildfires are projected to increase in severity
across Northern California, and their impacts
on health will be felt in Sacramento. Particulate
matter from wildfire dissipates throughout
the Central Valley and degrades air quality
for extended periods of time. During the
2018 Camp Fire, Sacramento’s PM2.5 (particulate matter) concentrations were among the highest in the world (over 300 micrograms per
cubic meter of air).
Wildfire smoke can cause adverse health effects
including restricted breathing; eye irritation;
aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and
pneumonia; and increased cancer risk and
impaired immune function. Vulnerable populations include young children; middle-aged and older adults; pregnant women; those with
hypertension, diabetes, and COPD; and
smokers. Some studies have also found associations between low socioeconomic status and health effects related to wildfire smoke exposure. During wildfire events, Sacramento residents may avoid active transportation, spend less time outdoors, or avoid unventilated public
transit facilities. These changes may have ripple
effects on school and work attendance, community health, energy use, and transportation -related emissions as residents may not be able
to partake in daily exercise or may choose to
prioritize the use of private vehicles. Poor air
quality disproportionately affects low-income
and disadvantaged communities, which experience higher exposure to pollution and lower access to healthy food, recreation, and
healthcare.
Poor Air Quality in Sacramento
22 01. Introduction > The Science of Climate Change
Sea Level Rise
16. Dettinger, M., J. Anderson, M. Anderson, L. Brown, D. Cayan and E. Maurer. (2016). Climate change and the Delta, San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science 14(3): Article 5, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15447/sfews.2016v14iss2art5 Climate models anticipate some degree of
sea level rise in all areas that are connected to
ocean bodies. While Sacramento is not a coastal
city, the Sacramento and American Rivers drain
into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which
in turn drains into the San Francisco Bay and the
Pacific Ocean. Water levels in the Delta are not
much higher than coastal sea levels and therefore, Sacramento will be effected by sea level rise. Further, the Delta and surrounding lands
are low-lying and vulnerable to water level
increases and storm surges that can compound
the effects of flooding.16 As such, sea level rise
will exacerbate flood risk in Sacramento and
threaten the structural integrity of the levee
system that protects the City. Depending
on the nature of changes to the estuary’s
shorelines in coming decades (hardened seawalls and levees vs. restored wetlands) the tidal regime could become more amplified or more
dissipated, with varying effects on levee stability. Sea level rise will also increase saltwater intrusion in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,
impacting freshwater quality, agricultural production, the wellbeing of aquatic species, and the health of aquatic ecosystems. Sea level rise
is projected to progress gradually, affecting the
areas immediately surrounding the Sacramento
River and Sacramento River Deep Water Ship
Channel. As the century progresses, the areas
immediately around the American River and
in agricultural areas south of Sacramento may
also be affected.
Flooded Agricultural Fields
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
23 GHG EMISSIONS IN
SACRAMENTO
CHAPTER
02. Conducting a
GHG Emissions
Inventory
A community’s GHG emissions can be quantified by conducting a GHG emissions inventory. An inventory provides information about where the largest sources of GHG emissions
originate and opportunities for GHG emissions
reductions. An inventory also establishes a
baseline from which a GHG emissions forecast
1. ICLEI – Local Government for Sustainability USA, U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://icleiusa.org/us-community-protocol/. and climate action targets can be established
and progress tracked. Consistent with guidance from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), Sacramento’s community
inventory uses the methods established in
the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting
and Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(Version 1.2).1 For a full overview of methods
used for developing Sacramento’s inventory,
including updates to previous inventories, see
Appendix A. The U.S. Community Protocol separates a jurisdiction’s GHG-generating activities into categories known as emissions sectors.
These emissions sectors broadly describe
24 02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento >
where GHG emissions are coming from within a
city. For example, Sacramento’s GHG emissions
sectors include:
• The transportation sector (which captures combustion emissions from passenger and commercial vehicle trips that start and/or end in Sacramento)
• The building sector (which captures emissions from residential, commercial, and industrial electricity, natural gas, and other
energy source usage within the city)
• The waste sector (which captures emissions from all solid waste generated within the city, as well as passive emissions from
closed landfills within city limits)
• The water and wastewater sector
(which captures emissions from delivering and treating water and wastewater for local residents and businesses)
In general, GHG emissions inventories used
for local planning purposes, like Sacramento’s
CAAP, include GHG emissions sectors that are
under some level of the City’s jurisdictional
control or influence. Emissions sectors that
fall outside of the City’s jurisdictional control
are typically excluded, as the City would not
be able to enact policies or programs outside
of its jurisdictional control. For example, combustion emissions from cars traveling through Sacramento, with origins and destinations
outside of city limits, were excluded from
Sacramento’s inventory because the local
government cannot reasonably influence
this pass-through travel activity. Additional
sources of emissions not included in the inventory include agricultural emissions, which are limited within the city, and industrial sources,
Sacramento Valley Station
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento >
25 which are covered under the State’s Cap-andTrade Program and for which data are not readily available.
To calculate the GHG emissions inventory,
activity data are collected for each GHG emissions sector for a single calendar year. GHG emissions are calculated from activity data
using GHG emission factors, which are science-based conversion factors that convert activity data to GHG emissions. Inventories
2. Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) is a unit of measure used to standardize the climate effects of various greenhouse gases. For example, 1 metric ton (MT) of carbon dioxide (CO2) has equivalent climate effects (or global warming potential) as 1 MT of CO2e; 1 MT of methane (CH4) has approximately equivalent climate effects as 28 MT of CO2e; and 1 MT of nitrous oxide (N2O) has approximately equivalent climate effects as 265 MT of CO2e. See Appendix A for more information on global warming potentials.
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). March 2022. Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. Accessed at: https://www.epa.gov/energy/ greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator.
4. Ibid.
measure GHG emissions in units of metric tons
of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO2e).2 One
MT is equivalent to 2,205 pounds, roughly
the same volume as a small two-story house
and roughly the weight of a small sports car
(Figure 2-1). The average car produces 5 MT of
CO2e in 1 year.3 Alternatively, planting 17 new
trees removes about 1 MT CO2e from the atmosphere over 10 years.4 Figure 2-1. Volume of 1 MT CO2e
26 02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento > Current GHG Emissions in Sacramento Current GHG
Emissions in
Sacramento
A GHG inventory was developed for
Sacramento’s CAAP using data from 2016—
the most recent year for which reliable community-wide data was available at the time this plan was developed. The Sacramento
inventory includes community-wide GHG
emissions from sources within sectors that are
under some level of jurisdictional control or
influence of the City, which include buildings,
transportation, waste, water, and wastewater.
Figure 2-2 and Table 2-1 show the results of
the GHG emissions inventory, with the buildings sector broken out by residential electricity use, commercial electricity use, residential gas
use, and commercial gas use. The largest GHG
emissions sector is transportation, followed by
buildings, waste, wastewater, and water. Based
on these results, the greatest opportunities for
GHG emissions reductions are in the transportation and buildings sectors. Further details on the data, calculations, and results of the inventory are included in Appendix A. 94%
OF TOTAL GHG EMISSIONS
IN SACRAMENTO ARE
FROM BUILDINGS AND
TRANSPORTATION.
Figure 2-2. Sacramento’s 2016 GHG Emissions by Sector
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento > Current GHG Emissions in Sacramento 27 Table 2-1. Sacramento’s 2016 GHG Emissions by Sector Sector Activity Data Emission Factors MT CO2e
Transportation 4,347,013,534 VMT 0.000445 MT CO2
e/mile 1,935,870
Industrial and Commercial Electricity 2,191,180,705 kWh 0.00022 MT CO2 e/kWh 489,945
Residential Natural Gas 59,977,656 therms 0.00531 MT CO2 e/therm 318,304
Residential Electricity 1,423,419,583 kWh 0.000224 MT CO2 e/kWh 318,275
Commercial Natural Gas 28,980,911 therms 0.00531 MT CO2 e/therm 153,8031
Generated Waste 525,968 tons 0.255412 MT CO2
e/ton 134,339
Waste-in-Place N/A2 N/A2 26,504
Wastewater N/A3 N/A3 19,867
District Natural Gas 3,432,409 therms 0.00531 MT CO2
e/therm 18,2161
Water 42,963,998 kWh 0.00022 MT CO2
e/kWh 9,607
Total Emissions 3,424,729
MWh: megawatt hours; kWh: kilowatt hours; CO2e: carbon dioxide equivalent; MT: metric tons; VMT: vehicle miles traveled 1 No natural gas usage was reported for large industrial users due to California Public Utilities Commission privacy rules. The remaining industrial usage is from Pacific Gas & Electric “district” users. 2 Waste-in-place is a direct output of a landfill gas modeling system and does not have activity data. 3 Wastewater is a combination of stationary and process emissions, further detailed in Section 3.3. 28 02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento > Sacramento’s GHG Emissions Over Time Sacramento’s
GHG Emissions
Over Time
Previously, the City completed a community
GHG inventory for 2005 and an estimated GHG
inventory for 2011. The City’s three inventories demonstrate a steady reduction in GHG emissions over time, including achievement
of the City’s 2020 target to reduce GHG emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.
This corresponds to a return to 1990 levels
(Figure 2-3 and Table 2-2). Since 2005, GHG
emissions in Sacramento have decreased
20 percent, despite a 10 percent increase in
population, with reductions in every sector.
Major reductions occurred in the waste and
wastewater sectors, although these sectors
make up a smaller portion of Sacramento’s
total GHG emissions. Increasing gas appliance
efficiency helped reduce natural gas usage in
buildings while increasing efficiency of fuels
drove reductions in the transportation sector.
Increased usage of renewables for electricity
also decreased emissions from electricity usage
in the buildings sector.
SACRAMENTO ACHIEVED A
20%
REDUCTION BELOW
2005 LEVELS IN 2016,
EXCEEDING THE 2020 TARGET.
Figure 2-3. Historic GHG Emissions by Year and Source (MT CO2e) City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento > Sacramento’s GHG Emissions Over Time 29 Table 2-2. Historic GHG Emissions by Year and Source (MT CO2e) Sector 19901 2005 2011 2016
Transportation 1,856,925 2,184,617 2,091,154 1,935,870
Commercial & Industrial Energy 689,637 811,337 650,627 661,964 Residential Energy 607,052 714,178 656,472 636,578
Generated Waste 344,506 405,301 113,192 134,339
Waste-in-place 42,432 49,921 25,773 26,504
Wastewater 48,773 57,380 18,719 19,867
Water 10,889 12,810 9,804 9,607
Total Emissions 3,600,213 4,235,545 3,565,741 3,424,729 Emissions per capita 9.75 9.57 7.58 7.25
MT CO2e: metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
1 All 1990 inventory data calculated as a 15% reduction from 2005 inventory levels per California Air Resources Board guidelines.
Sacramento’s per capita emissions (in units of
MT CO2e per person) have experienced even
larger reductions. Since 2005, per capita emissions have decreased 26 percent (Figure 2-4).
These reductions have positioned Sacramento
well for adopting the even more ambitious
climate action targets contained in this CAAP.
Figure 2-4. Per Capita GHG Emissions over Time
*1990 per capita emissions are estimated by dividing the 1990 emissions backcast (15% below 2005 levels) by the City’s 1990 population. 30 02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento > GHG Emissions Forecast GHG Emissions
Forecast
GHG emissions forecasts provide an estimate of
future GHG emissions levels based on the projected growth and change in a community over time. Forecasts also account for current legislative actions from the State and federal governments that are expected to reduce future emissions. In order to clearly demonstrate how
Sacramento’s emissions will look in the future,
two forecasts were developed—a business-asusual (BAU) forecast and an adjusted forecast. • The BAU forecast estimates how
Sacramento’s emissions would change
based on current activities and projected
growth in population and job growth.
• The adjusted forecast adjusts the BAU forecast
to account for State- and federal-level legislation and policies that are expected to reduce emissions for all jurisdictions in California.
Sacramento developed the GHG emissions
forecasts based on the 2016 inventory to
project how GHG emissions in Sacramento will
change over time. The forecasts extend from
2016 through 2045 and include milestone years
2025, 2030, and 2040. The BAU forecast was
developed using growth projected trends in
population, housing, employment, and transportation activity over time, consistent with city and regional projections.
5. California Air Resources Board (CARB). (2017). Advanced Clean Cars Program. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/ our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program/about.
The State legislation and policies included
in the adjusted forecast are the Advanced
Clean Cars Program, Title 24 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards, and California Renewable
Portfolio Standard (RPS). The Advanced Clean
Cars Program is a comprehensive car emissions control program which regulates smog, soot-causing pollutants, and GHG emissions
into a single coordinated package of requirements for passenger cars and light trucks sold in California with model years 2017 through
2025 to reduce California’s GHG emissions by
34 percent in 2025.5 Title 24 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards regulate new residential
and commercial development in California
by requiring increased efficiency related to
space heating and cooling, lighting, and water
heating, and are updated every three years.
The California RPS program requires investor-owned utilities, publicly owned utilities, electric service providers, and community
choice aggregators to increase procurement
from renewable energy resources. For example,
electricity service providers must procure electricity from 50 percent renewable resources by 2026, 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by
2045, leading to significant statewide decreases
in electricity emissions. See Appendix B for
more information on these and other programs
and policies that are driving climate action in
Sacramento and throughout California. The
adjusted forecast is considered a more realistic picture of Sacramento’s emissions in the future. The BAU and adjusted forecasts can be
compared to show the extent to which Statelevel policies and programs will help to reduce GHG emissions in Sacramento (Figure 2-5 and
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
02. GHG Emissions in Sacramento > GHG Emissions Forecast 31 Table 2-3). The results of the forecasts show
us that while State legislation will reduce GHG
emissions in Sacramento through 2045, more
work is needed at the local level to achieve
Sacramento’s GHG reduction goals.
The adjusted forecast is the best estimate of
how emissions will look over time in the city
of Sacramento without additional actions at
the municipal and community level. From the
adjusted forecast and current State legislation,
Sacramento established climate action targets
based on feedback from community engagement, adopted General Plan Vision & Guiding Principles, the Mayors’ Commission on Climate
Change recommendations, and current State
guidance and legislation. These considerations
and the 2030 and 2045 climate action targets
are outlined in Chapter 3. For a complete
explanation of the methods, data, and calculations used to create Sacramento’s forecasts, see Appendix A.
Figure 2-5. Sacramento’s Business-as-Usual and Adjusted GHG Emissions Forecasts (MT CO2e)
Table 2-3. Sacramento’s BAU and Adjusted Forecasts (MT CO2e) Emissions Forecast 2020 2025 2030 2040 2045
BAU Forecast 3,558,871 3,726,548 3,894,225 4,203,918 4,342,257 Reductions from State Legislation 344,615 780,096 1,190,660 1,775,373 2,114,935 Adjusted Forecast 3,214,256 2,946,452 2,703,565 2,428,545 2,227,322 Adjusted Forecast Percent
Reduction from 2016 -6% -14% -21% -29% -35%
MT CO2e: metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
32 33
CLIMATE ACTION TARGETS
Key State
Legislation
As a leader in climate action, California has
established extensive legislation, policies, and
programs to reduce GHG emissions in the State.
California’s climate action goals are enshrined
in Assembly Bill (AB) 32, SB 32, and EO B-55-18,
which together set statewide GHG reduction
targets for 2020, 2030, and 2045. Sacramento
has historically aligned with state-level goals
around climate change, as shown in Figure 3-1.
A full list of relevant state-level legislation is
included in Appendix B. California State Capitol Building CHAPTER
03. 34 03. Climate Action Targets >
AB 32: AB 32 codified the statewide goal of
reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020
and required the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) to prepare a Scoping Plan that outlines the main strategies California will employ to meet the 2020 target. The AB 32 Scoping
Plan was first adopted in 2008, with subsequent updates in 2013, 2017 and 2022. The 2017 Scoping Plan1 calls on cities throughout
California to adopt GHG reduction targets in
line with the State regulations that will provide
their fair share of GHG reductions, support
California in achieving the 2030 target (SB 32),
and make substantial progress towards the
2045 goal of carbon neutrality (EO B-55-18).
1. California Air Resources Board (CARB). (2017). California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/classic/cc/scopingplan/scoping_plan_2017.pdf SB 32: The successor legislation to AB 32
requires California to achieve a statewide
reduction in GHG emissions of 40 percent
below 1990 levels by 2030. The SB 32 Scoping
Plan was adopted in 2017.
EO B-55-18: EO B-55-18 established a
new statewide goal of achieving and maintaining carbon neutrality as soon as possible and no later than 2045. Executive orders have not
been codified by California but are binding for
State agencies; it is therefore considered best
practice for qualified GHG reduction plans to
address EO B-55-18. The 2022 CARB Scoping
Plan assesses progress towards the State’s 2030
GHG emissions reduction target and outlines a
pathway to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045,
including an Appendix with recommendations
for local governments.
Sacramento River at Tower Bridge
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
03. Climate Action Targets >
35 Figure 3-1. Key State and City of Sacramento Legislation 2005 2010 2015 2020
ඵ 2006
• City becomes
signatory to
the United
Nations
Charter Urban
Environmental
Accords
• AB 32
ඵ 2010
• City of
Sacramento
Climate Action
Plan, Phase
1: Internal
Operations
ඵ 2015
• 2035
General
Plan/
Community
Climate
Action Plan2
ඵ 2017
• City of
Sacramento
EV Strategy
ඵ 2019
• Climate
Emergency
Declaration3
ඵ 2024
• 2040
General
Plan/Climate
Action and
Adaptation
Plan6
ඵ 2007
• Sacramento
Sustainability
Master Plan
• City becomes
signatory to the
United States
Conference of
Mayors Climate
Protection
Agreement
ඵ 2012
• City of
Sacramento
Climate
Action Plan,
Phase 2:
Community
CAP
ඵ 2016
• Climate Action
Plan for Internal
Operations
• City Endorsement
of the Under 2
Memorandum of
Understanding
• SB 32
• SB 1383
ඵ 2018
• Mayors’
Commission
on Climate
Change
(2018–2020)
• EO B-55-18
• SB 100
ඵ 2020
• Mayors’
Commission on
Climate Change
Final Report4
• Climate
Implementation
Work Plan5
23456
2. The Sacramento [Community] Climate Action Plan was incorporated into the 2035 General Plan and adopted by City Council on March 3, 2015.
Between March 2015 and the release of this document, the [Community] Climate Action Plan did not exist as a separate document.
3. Available online: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/CMO/Climate-Change/R2019-0465-Declaring-a-Climate-Emergencyand-Proposing-Efforts-to-Restore-a-Safe-Climate-Background.pdf?la=en
4. Available online: lgc.org/climatecommission/
5. Available online, with links to related City documents: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/climateaction
6. 2040 General Plan/Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update: The Climate Action and Adaption Plan includes both community GHG emissions and GHG emissions from the City’s internal operations.
LEGEND
• City Actions
• State Actions
36 03. Climate Action Targets > IPCC-Informed Targets
IPCC-Informed
Targets
In addition to California’s own regulatory environment, the goal of carbon neutrality is backed by global research on climate change
and the targets necessary to avoid the most
serious climate change impacts. The IPCC has
found that in order to limit global warming to
1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels,
the world must reach carbon neutrality by
mid-century (~2050).7 Warming above this level
is linked to catastrophic heat, drought, and
impacts to ecosystems and global food
production.
7. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Sixth Assessment Report. AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.
Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
8. Based on current population projections, changes to population would change the mass emissions threshold since Sacramento’s GHG reductions are based on per capita emissions. This equates to a 61 percent reduction compared to 2005 on a per capita basis.
Sacramento’s
Climate Action
Targets
This CAAP establishes Sacramento’s GHG
reduction target for 2030, as required by CEQA
for a “qualified” GHG reduction plan and a longterm GHG reduction goal for 2045. The 2030 target and long-term 2045 goal (referred to collectively as Sacramento’s climate action targets) provide the impetus for implementation of the
CAAP and its associated GHG emissions reductions. As Sacramento tracks its GHG emissions and implements the CAAP over the next 10
years, the climate action targets will provide
an important point of comparison by which to
measure progress and re-evaluate long-term
strategies to achieve 2045 goals. Based on the
current science and California’s GHG reduction
legislation, Sacramento’s climate action targets
are as follows:
2030 CLIMATE ACTION TARGET: Reduce
Sacramento’s per capita GHG emissions to
3.63 MT CO2e per person by 2030, equal to 63
percent below 1990 levels. In mass emissions,
this equates to achieving emissions less than
2,160,128 MT CO2e in 2030.8
Photo by Garry Everett
Old Sacramento
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
03. Climate Action Targets > IPCC-Informed Targets
37 2045 CLIMATE ACTION GOAL: Reduce
Sacramento’s per capita GHG emissions to net
zero MT CO2e per person by 2045, equal to 100
percent below 1990 levels.
The City of Sacramento has established a per
capita target for 2030 and 2045 based on guidance provided by California’s 2017 Scoping Plan. Using a per capita emissions target
means that regardless of unforeseen population changes, the City’s targets of 3.63 MT CO2 e
per person and net zero MT CO2e per person
will remain unchanged. This approach allows
the City to continue to grow, while focusing
on decarbonizing systems rather than limiting
growth that could compromise new housing
and job opportunities and potentially increase
regional emissions.
Figure 3-2 shows how per capita emissions will
decrease to zero by 2045. This means that even
while population increases, average emissions
per person will decrease due to more efficient
buildings, transportation and land use, and
waste management within the city.
Figure 3-2. Sacramento’s Climate Action Targets Through 2045 (per capita) 38 03. Climate Action Targets > IPCC-Informed Targets
Figure 3-3 shows Sacramento’s BAU forecast,
adjusted forecast, and 2016 GHG emissions
inventory, relative to the climate action targets.
This figure demonstrates the estimated mass
emissions (in units of MT CO2e) over time based
on the current population projections. This trajectory may change depending on the actual growth of the city.
Figure 3-3. Sacramento’s GHG Forecast and Climate Action Targets (MT CO2e) City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
03. Climate Action Targets > IPCC-Informed Targets
39 As shown in Figure 3-3, a gap remains between
Sacramento’s projected GHG emissions in the
adjusted forecast (green line) and Sacramento’s
climate action targets (yellow line). The gap
represents the GHG emissions to be reduced
by the measures and actions contained in this
CAAP, as detailed in Chapter 6. Based on
these projections, the City of Sacramento must
close a gap of 543,437 MT CO2e by 2030 in order
to achieve its GHG reduction targets. The CAAP
is focused on achieving the 2030 target of 3.63
MT CO2e per person (50% below 2016 per capita
emissions levels) and making substantial progress toward achieving the 2045 carbon neutrality goal. While this CAAP provides a pathway to achieve the 2030 target, as presented in
Chapter 5, additional State legislation, new
technologies, and innovative approaches will
be needed to achieve carbon neutrality citywide by 2045.
Second Saturday Dancing
40 41
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community
Informed Plan
This CAAP was driven by community input
through multiple years of outreach and
engagement conducted as part of the
Sacramento 2040 process, which included
the 2040 General Plan and CAAP. Community
engagement by the Mayors’ Commission on
Climate Change was conducted in a parallel
process, which also helped to shape the CAAP.
Community support and collaboration are key
to developing a successful CAAP, as well as
implementing the plan over time. Furthermore,
the CAAP development process generated a
large amount of community interest, because
climate change is a global issue that will have
direct impacts on the local community. To help
guide community input through the planning
process, the goals associated with outreach
and engagement were broken into four phases.
PHASE 1 - ISSUES/OPPORTUNITIES: The
focus of the first phase of community outreach was on identifying and understanding the issues and opportunities that needed to be
addressed in the 2040 General Plan/CAAP.
PHASE 2 - OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES:
During the second phase of outreach, the
project team engaged (mostly virtually) with
the community to develop GHG reduction
measures, a Draft Land Use Map, Proposed
Roadway Changes, and Key Strategies that are
responsive to challenges in the coming years
and to implement the adopted 2040 Vision and
Guiding Principles.
CHAPTER
04. 42 04. Community Engagement >
PHASE 3 - DRAFT PLAN PREPARATION:
Release for public review of the Draft CAAP and
Draft 2040 General Plan.
PHASE 4 - FINAL PLAN ADOPTION: Gain
decision-maker support and approval for the
2040 General Plan/CAAP.
In order to reach a wide audience from all parts
of Sacramento’s diverse community, the City
employed a suite of outreach and engagement
strategies. These included multiple iterations of
in-person workshops, pop-up events, working
groups, virtual workshops (available in English,
Spanish, and Chinese), and a scientific survey.
The graphic below shows key engagement
events which fed directly into the CAAP and
General Plan.1 Out of these many and varied
events, the primary outreach events that provided feedback specific to the CAAP were the citywide workshops, youth engagement and
workshops, Environmental Justice Working
1. A calendar of all outreach events can be found on the City’s website: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/CDD/ Planning/General-Plan/2040-General-Plan/Outreach-TimelineWorking-Document-PHASE-II-081120.pdf?la=en Group (EJWG), interest-based focus groups, and
scientific surveys. The following sections highlights the results of each of the primary outreach events and discusses how this feedback was directly reflected in the CAAP’s goals and
strategies.
ESTIMATED COMMUNITY
PARTICIPANTS
• CITYWIDE WORKSHOPS:
1,139 households
• SCIENTIFIC SURVEY:
504 participants
• COMMUNITY PLAN AREA
WORKSHOPS:
236 households
• OTHER OUTREACH:
approximately 300 participants
Figure 4-1. Key Engagement Events for the CAAP and General Plan City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Citywide Workshops
43 Citywide
Workshops
Each of the four citywide workshops completed
as part of Phase 1 had seven staffed stations
where community members could learn about
the 2040 General Plan/CAAP and provide input
to guide Sacramento’s future. Several of these
stations covered topics related to climate
action and adaptation and provided the community with an initial opportunity to influence the direction of the plan and provide suggestions for the measures and actions that should be included by noting their interest and ideas
around key GHG reduction strategies such as
building electrification and EVs. Throughout
the workshop, community members were able
to move between the stations, ask questions,
and provide feedback to the City and consultant team related to each of the station topics for review and integration into the plan.
At the climate change station, one display
board introduced the concept of climate
change with infographics and graphs to display
information, including the city’s GHG emissions
trends over time compared to the State’s GHG
emission reduction goals, a graph depicting
Sacramento’s GHG emissions by sector, and
details about rebate programs and incentives
currently available from SMUD for electrification of vehicles and homes. A second board included a map of climate change hazard risk
areas, such as flooding, wildfire, drought, and
extreme heat, with a brief summary of the
various impacts.
Table 4-1. Citywide Workshop
Demographics
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino 38
Not Hispanic or Latino 81
Race
American Indian or Alaskan Native 9
Asian 31
Black or African American 107
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander 2
White 175
Other 3
Disability
Yes 9
No 103
Age
Under 40 75
Over 40 97
Out of 344 total responses. Not all questions were answered by every community member.
Respondents provided answers to the climate
change questions using sticky notes. Based
on the results of the community input, most
respondents (84 percent) support electrification if it does not increase costs and the functionality that respondents currently have is maintained (Figure 4-2). For EVs, 64 percent
of respondents noted a lack of charging infrastructure as a major hurdle to ownership (Figure 4-3). This concern was recognized, and
the EV strategy discussed in Chapter 6 aims
to increase charging infrastructure to alleviate
44 04. Community Engagement > Citywide Workshops
this hurdle. The community also provided ideas
for how to protect the most vulnerable citizens
in Sacramento from the climate vulnerabilities
discussed in Chapter 1 of the CAAP. Ideas
such as weatherization programs for low-income and rental properties, tree planting to
2. This figure represents the results of a survey and is not statistically representative of the Sacramento community at-large. adapt to extreme heat events, and rebates for
improving home air filtration were provided by
the community and impacted the development
of the CAAP strategies, measures, and actions.
The results are summarized in Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-2. Community Feedback on Home Electrification2 City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Citywide Workshops
45 Figure 4-3. Community Feedback on EVs3
Figure 4-4. Community Feedback on Climate Change Impacts4
3. This figure represents the results of a survey and is not statistically representative of the Sacramento community at-large.
4. This figure represents the results of a survey and is not statistically representative of the Sacramento community at-large. 46 04. Community Engagement > Citywide Workshops
Climate change and sustainability-related ideas
were also provided in other sections of the
workshops and integrated into the CAAP development. For example, when asked what makes a community truly livable, 33 percent of participants said, “an environment that feels healthy, with clean air, clean water, and ample access to
parks, trees, and other green space.” Another
31 percent said, a “community that is well-connected; walking and biking are easy because almost all key stores and services can be found
within walking distance.” A word cloud developed by community members from the Pocket Community Plan Area during a plan area
meeting echoes these themes. Key concepts
depicting their vision for the future of their
community include a more accessible (e.g.,
walkable, bikeable), sustainable (e.g., clean air,
green), environmentally and socially just (e.g.,
diverse, cohesive, affordable), and adaptable
(e.g., resilient, protected, safe, secure, and connected) neighborhood. 33% of workshop participants
indicated that “An environment
that feels healthy, with clean air,
clean water, and ample access
to parks, trees, and other green
spaces” is the key to a truly
livable city.
protected from floods
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Youth Engagement and Outreach 47 Youth Engagement
and Outreach
Through pop-up workshops, summer programs, and classroom presentations, the City encouraged the younger generation to be
active members of their community by providing equitable opportunities, while also collecting valuable input that helped shape the 2040 General Plan and CAAP. To gain feedback from
the youth representatives and their communities, the Sacramento 2040 General Plan Team developed and implemented a 3-month-long
Summer Youth Engagement Program consisting of five youth representatives from the following Sacramento organizations:
• La Familia Counseling Center
• Green Tech Education and Employment
• Asian Resources, Inc. (ARI)
The youth representatives embarked on a
mission to engage their peers in a discussion
around what Sacramento can do and what
5. Video viewable at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlo-cFufM1U&t=1s the City’s CAAP can incorporate to address
the evolving issues around climate change.
Through development of an informational
video5 and online questionnaire, the youth
representatives helped to inform the early
planning process of the 2040 General Plan
and CAAP. The video was produced, shot, and
edited by the youth representatives, and features seven Sacramento-elected officials and subject matter experts including:
• Mayor Darrell Steinberg |City of Sacramento
• Councilmember Jay Schenirer |
City of Sacramento, District 5
• Jose Bodipo-Memba | Director of
Sustainable Communities, SMUD
• Ryan Moore | Interim Director, City
of Sacramento Public Works
• Jennifer Donlon Wyant | Transportation Planning
Manager, City of Sacramento Public Works
• Ryan Gardener | Environmental Project
Manager, Rincon Consultants
• Paul Trudeau | Program Manager, Green
Tech Education and Employment
Hot Spot, South Natomas
48 04. Community Engagement > Youth Engagement and Outreach In addition to the video, students conducted
their own surveys of family and friends to
better understand the opportunities and
hurdles around climate action and adaptation
in the city. All together, they collected feedback
from more than 300 Sacramento residents. The
students provided grass-roots feedback on
6. This figure represents the results of a survey and is not statistically representative of the Sacramento community at-large. topics like renewable energy, transportation,
and overall sustainability. These responses were
considered when developing the strategies,
measures, and actions in the CAAP. The results
of one of the youth survey questions on active
transportation are shown in Figure 4-5.
Figure 4-5. Youth Feedback on Active Transportation and Transit6 City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Equitable Engagement
49 Equitable
Engagement
The City of Sacramento understands that no
community should be left behind nor bear
a disproportionate burden as new climate
action policies and programs are instituted.
This applies specifically to communities in
Sacramento that have been historically marginalized. These communities are not only the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change due to below-average housing options,
previous land use decisions, and other resource
limitations, but also unfairly impacted by the
policies and programs put in place to address
climate change. The City will have equity
protections in place to avoid unintended
impacts from policies and programs to address
climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
WORKING GROUP
As part of the 2040 General Plan, the City
adopted a new Environmental Justice (EJ)
element to help Sacramento address community issues in equity and disproportionate exposure to environmental issues, as well as to
develop and facilitate ongoing, robust community engagement to ensure that all community members are included as part of the conversation moving forward. A key EJ principle actively involves the communities most impacted by
climate change and other environmental problems in the public decision-making processes that can impact health, access to resources,
and well-being. To support this effort, the
City convened the EJWG comprised of community leaders, advocates, and community-based organizations (CBO) currently serving Sacramento’s communities to provide feedback
on the 2040 General Plan and CAAP development process, including the key strategies, measures, and actions. The following organizations were involved in the EJWG:
• WALKSacramento
• Sacramento Food Policy Council
• Sacramento Housing and
Redevelopment Agency
• Sacramento Area Congregations Together
• Health Ed Council
• Sacramento Lesbian Gay Bi and Trans
(LGBT) Community Center
• AB617
• CalEPA Department of Toxic Substances Control
• Mutual Assistance Network
• Sacramento County Public Health
• Twin Rivers/Mutual Assistance
• Sacramento Area Council of Governments
• United Latinos
• Department of Human Assistance
• AT Valdez Foundation/United Latinos
• Sacramento Metropolitan Air
Quality Management District
50 04. Community Engagement > Equitable Engagement
As part of this process, the EJWG reviewed a
draft list of the CAAP measures and actions and
convened two workshops in November and
December of 2019 to provide their input and
expertise in assessing the proposed measures
and their potential impacts on equity.
Specifically, the group was asked to aid in identifying any potential co-benefits, unintended consequences, or refinements that could mitigate those consequences. The feedback from the group was then analyzed by the CAAP team
and integrated into the list of measures and
actions in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. A
list of key equity considerations were used to
frame the discussion:
1. Disproportionate impacts and accountability: Does the proposed action generate burdens (including costs), either directly or
indirectly, to disadvantaged communities? If
yes, are there opportunities to mitigate these
impacts? Are there appropriate accountability
mechanisms to ensure equitable benefits and
avoidance of burdens?
2. Shared benefits: Can the benefits of the proposed action be targeted in progressive ways to reduce historical or current disparities?
3. Accessibility: Are the benefits of the proposed action broadly accessible to households and businesses throughout the community—particularly communities of color, low-income populations, minority, women,
and emerging small businesses?
4. Engagement and relationship building:
Does the proposed action engage and
empower disadvantaged communities
in a meaningful, authentic, and culturally
appropriate manner? Does the action foster
building of long-term trust between communities and local government?
5. Capacity building and opportunity: Does
the proposed action help build capacity
among disadvantaged communities through
funding, an expanded knowledge base or
other resources (such as workforce development, contracting opportunities, or increased diversity of program or organization staff)?
6. Alignment and partnership: Does the proposed action align with and support disadvantaged community priorities, creating an opportunity to leverage resources and build
R collaborative partnerships? iverside Walkway Photo by Carlos Eliason City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Equitable Engagement
51 EJWG RESULTS
The EJWG reviewed the draft measures and
actions for key sectors including buildings,
sequestration, and transportation during the
two working group meetings. The following
section outlines the primary feedback provided by the EJWG that was used to develop the final CAAP strategies. This feedback was
reviewed by City staff and integrated into the
CAAP’s measures and actions discussed in
Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. For measures
that are critical to meeting the 2030 and 2045
GHG climate action targets but that could
include equity impacts (such as electrification),
specific additional actions were included with
the measures to help mitigate impacts, such as
dedicated programs for disadvantaged communities and specific direction to ensure equitable access to investments.
Community Members at Boards Station
52 04. Community Engagement > Equitable Engagement
Equity Concerns in
City Buildings
The building sector measures predominantly
focus on building electrification, energy efficiency, and carbon-free electricity to decarbonize the sector. It was recommended that any building-related measures avoid exacerbating
displacement, which could occur as a result
of housing-related investments. It was also
suggested that opportunity exists to include
health outcomes and health disparities around
class and race. In addition to anti-displacement
measures, racial impact assessments were discussed as tools to improve equity.
Key Equity Concerns
• Landlords might pass down expenses that arise
from a building electrification ordinance for
7. An effort to develop an equitable Existing Building Electrification Strategy for the City is underway that will address these issues more directly. Learn more at: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Planning/Major-Projects/General-Plan/ About-The-Project/Climate_Change/Existing-Building-Electrification existing buildings to tenants. Accompanying
rent increase restrictions were suggested as
a measure that might lessen this impact.7
• Low-income retrofits and assistance were mentioned as resources provided by several CBOs, some of which were partly funded by SMUD.
However, the difficulty in applying for these
programs was discussed, especially for lower
income people who may not have enough
savings to qualify or the time to physically apply
and track the progress of the application.
• A question was posed on how people could
be allowed to be self-sufficient and reduce
reliance on energy providers. SMUD’s new
rules on net-energy metering surplus (excess
energy) reimbursement for solar panels were
also discussed as an example of how people
could recoup solar investment costs.
New Del Paso Heights Sports Complex (Measure U)
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Equitable Engagement
53 Sequestration and Food Waste
Carbon sequestration measures/actions, such
as tree plantings and food waste diversion
measures/actions, such as edible food rescue
were also discussed during the workshops. It
was recommended that the City partner with
existing community organizations to plant
trees and that financial assistance may be
needed for lower income individuals to cover
the increased cost of deep-watering trees,
especially during times of drought.
Key Equity Concerns
• Funding and financing strategies are needed
to help protect low-income and disadvantaged
communities from increased tree maintenance
costs and increased waste disposal costs.
• It was noted that streets in lower income
communities often do not have sufficient
room to plant street trees, but that complete
streets measures may be able to help address
this when certain site conditions are present.
• Reducing food waste through compost and
food recovery was also discussed, in addition to
tax incentives for and procurement from farmers
who sequester carbon in soil. This could be an
equity co-benefit if historically disadvantaged
farmers or business owners were included.
• It was noted that tree planting opportunities could consider fruit trees as a way to increase food access, as well as
drought tolerant/climate resilient trees.
• It was noted that tree survival rates were
important to consider. It was suggested that
tree maintenance and stewardship would be
crucial to ensure increased canopy in lower
income communities, with consideration
of maintenance cost (e.g., water costs for
deep watering) and who bears that cost.
Sacramento Community Garden
54 04. Community Engagement > Equitable Engagement
Transportation
Transportation was another key area where
both significant opportunities and hurdles
were identified. Participants noted the potential negative impacts of improved mobility and transit options, such as increased costs and
displacement of disadvantaged communities
as the result of a changing transportation landscape. A need to focus on historically marginalized communities for investment was identified as a key part of developing more equitable
mobility in the city.
Key Equity Concerns
• The need for pairing active transportation
and transit options with anti-displacement
policies was mentioned as a consideration so investments do not inadvertently price-out lower income groups or renters.
• It was noted that as written, measures for
mobility and active transportation do not have
any sort of prioritization for historically marginalized communities. When investments are being prioritized, it is important to address
historic gaps in the transportation network
that affect marginalized communities.
• There was also discussion about the co-benefits of transportation measures and impacts to schools. From an equity perspective, a
student’s ability to get to school has implications for educational attainment and other important health indicators.
• The importance of storytelling was emphasized
in disadvantaged communities, and it was noted
that trusted ambassadors would be needed to
communicate the benefits of new transportation
infrastructure in a culturally competent manner.
• It was also noted that while bicycle-friendliness and new infrastructure was a citywide focus, it is still not safe to ride bikes in many
communities and that existing infrastructure
needs to be addressed. Additionally, the
need to address active transportation in the
City’s Transportation Priorities Plan rather
than as a separate plan was discussed.
Active Transportation in Sacramento.
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Interest-Based Focus Group
55 Interest-Based
Focus Group
In early 2020, the City of Sacramento held an
interest-based focus group meeting to discuss
key draft strategies that could be the most
impactful in reducing GHG emissions. The discussion topics focused on key “big and bold” GHG reduction strategies, such as electrification of new buildings, prohibition of new gas lines, elimination of parking minimums, and
requirements for EV charging spaces. The focus
group provided an opportunity for key interested groups and partners to provide feedback on specific measures, as well as suggestions for
the City to take into account when crafting the
actions that would guide implementation. This
created an opportunity for the focus group to
provide feedback to the City to help illuminate
the tradeoffs of these key GHG reduction strategies and how they benefit or impact the community. Seventeen representatives from the following organizations were in attendance at
the focus group.
FOCUS GROUP ATTENDEES
• 350 Sacramento
• Association of Sacramento Realtors
• Land Park Neighborhood Association
• North State Building Industry Association
• Sacramento EV (SacEV)
• Sacramento Regional Transit
• Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
• American Planning Association
• California Air Resources Board
• Local Government Commission
• Resources for Independent Living
• Sacramento Metropolitan Air
Quality Management District
• Sacramento Tree Foundation
• Upper Land Park Neighborhood Association
After a presentation on the current GHG inventory, the projected emissions forecast, and the GHG reduction targets established by the State
of California and the Mayors’ Commission on
Climate Change, interested group representatives were asked to provide their input on a series of questions for each proposed action:
• What do you see as potential barriers to implementing this action? • Are there concerns about any of the actions
the planning team should consider?
• Do you foresee this action impacting your
industry or community? If yes, how?
• Do you have any questions about this action?
56 04. Community Engagement > Interest-Based Focus Group Several themes emerged from the discussion,
particularly around potential equity impacts
to lower income communities and renters, as
well as development feasibility. Highlights from
the energy and electrification sector discussion
include the following:
• The natural gas industry could present
a barrier for implementing an ordinance
requiring building electrification.
• Subsidy programs would need to continue
to offset the additional costs of replacing
gas appliances with electric ones, especially
for lower income families and renters.
• Interested groups advised the City to be
mindful of potential impacts that the proposed actions could have on the real estate industry and potential home sellers.
• Opportunities should be explored to engage
with the restaurant industry to help with the
transition from gas to electric appliances.
• The City should ensure that all their
permit requirements and processes are
consistent before implementing and
enforcing a permit compliance program.
During the discussion on the Mobility Element,
key themes emerged focused on the following:
• Increasing Sacramento’s EV charging capacity
• Improving public transit to make it
a viable option for residents
• Enhanced active transportation and transit
options to help community members become
less dependent on their personal vehicle
• Pricing mechanisms in employment
centers as one of the most effective
ways to reduce car-based commutes
The feedback gained from the focus group
meeting was integral in shaping both the
overall approach to these key measures, as well
as the specific actions that will drive implementation over time.
Curtis Park Court
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Scientific Survey Results
57 Scientific Survey
Results
As part of the 2040 General Plan, Goodwin
Simon Strategic Research conducted a survey
of Sacramento residents to identify perspectives and preferences about public policy issues that may be addressed in the City’s
2040 General Plan and CAAP. Conducting a
scientific survey provided the City with a statistically significant sample of Sacramento residents from which to understand overall
sentiments regarding several key issues. Over
500 surveys were completed by Sacramento
residents using an address-based sampling
methodology derived from a list of 7,000
randomly generated Sacramento residential mailing addresses. The survey covered a wide range of topics including overall importance of addressing climate change, as well as thoughts regarding potential GHG reduction
measures, including transit and electrification.
For example, over 57 percent of residents surveyed support the use of redesigning some of Sacramento’s streets to use additional road
space for bus-only lanes, bike lanes, and better
pedestrian infrastructure (Figure 4-6). This feedback directed the City to continue to focus not only on transit-related measures in the CAAP,
but also on prioritizing bike, pedestrian, and
transit lanes throughout the city in the 2040
General Plan. On the topic of electrification,
over 65 percent of Sacramento residents surveyed supported the electrification of all new buildings, and 63 percent supported the electrification of all existing buildings over the next 20 years (Figure 4-7). Based on this feedback
and direction from the Mayors’ Commission on
Climate Change, the City moved forward with
electrification strategies that will provide the
City of Sacramento with a strong foundation to
achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
53%
Number of respondents who listed
addressing climate change as a
very high priority.
Solano Wind Project
58 04. Community Engagement > Scientific Survey Results Figure 4-6. Scientific Survey Feedback on Transit
Figure 4-7. Scientific Survey Feedback on Electrification City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
04. Community Engagement > Integrating Feedback
59 Integrating
Feedback
The extensive ideas and feedback gained
throughout the outreach and engagement
process has been reviewed and integrated into
both the CAAP and 2040 General Plan. Policies
from the Mayors’ Commission on Climate
Change, visions for the community from neighborhood workshops, the need for urgent action to create meaningful and tangible change,
and the equity concerns highlighted by the
EJWG were taken into consideration when
developing the measures and actions found
in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. However,
these community discussions will not be the
last opportunities for community members to
shape the future of climate action in the city.
As the CAAP is implemented and lessons are
learned, updates to the CAAP will be made.
New technologies, best practices, and climate
impacts will continue to shape the look and
feel of Sacramento and drive the implementation of the CAAP going forward.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE (EJCGC): In June
2020, the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change formally
recommended the establishment
of the EJCGC, facilitated by the
cities but led by the community to
support marginalized communities,
particularly communities of color
and youth, in owning and shaping
environmental solutions. While not
convened specifically to provide
input on the CAAP, the EJCGC
is a community-based effort to
advance EJ and build community
capacity, working in partnership
with the City. The EJCGC first
convened in early 2021 and was
involved in feedback on the Draft
CAAP. The City will continue
to engage the EJCGC during
implementation of the Final CAAP.
At the time of CAAP development,
the EJCGC included 16 committee
members, who provide diverse
representation of Sacramento in
terms of age, race, gender, and
lived, personal and professional
experience. Learn more at
https://www.sacej.org/.
60 61
CHAPTER
GHG REDUCTION STRATEGY
1. While achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 is the City’s long-term goal, getting to carbon neutral will require new technologies and legislative action from the State and federal government. Subsequent updates to this CAAP will identify additional GHG emissions reductions for the City to achieve carbon neutrality.
This CAAP contains measures and actions that
together close the gap between Sacramento’s
projected 2030 GHG emissions and its 2030
target and make substantial progress towards
achieving the 2045 goal of carbon neutrality
(Table 5-1).1 The CAAP’s measures and actions
were developed with extensive input from residents, community stakeholders, partners like SMUD and Regional Transit, and direction from
the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change,
as detailed in Chapter 4. Each measure
was further evaluated for equity impacts by
the Environmental Justice Working Group for
the 2040 GPU. Based on this feedback, additional resources and programs were identified and included to support just outcomes. This
chapter provides an overview of the strategic
framework for the CAAP measures and actions,
the related co-benefits, and how they work
together to transition Sacramento to a climate
neutral future. Additional details, including
specific actions for each measure, can be found
in Chapter 6.
05. 62 05. GHG Reduction Strategy >
Table 5-1. CAAP Adjusted Forecast Summary
Forecast Scenario
2030 GHG
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG
Emissions
(MT CO2e)
Adjusted Forecast 2,703,565 2,227,322
Total CAAP Reductions -1,146,125 -2,027,321
Built Environment -644,296 -503,434
Mobility -331,995 -1,289,999
Waste -134,991 -160,897
Water & Wastewater -11,791 -11,517
Carbon Sequestration -23,053 -61,474
CAAP Adjusted Forecast (Adjusted Forecast minus CAAP
Reductions)2 1,557,440 200,001
Target Pathway 2,160,128 0
Remaining Gap to Target -602,687 200,001
2. The CAAP Adjusted Forecast line includes all of the GHG emissions reductions achieved by full implementation of the CAAP in addition to the legislative reductions included in the Adjusted Forecast line.
City of Sacramento Downtown
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measures and Actions Structure 63 Measures and
Actions Structure
Measures are specific, data-driven opportunities for reducing GHG emissions, which, when fully implemented, will allow the City to
achieve its climate action targets and a variety
of co-benefits. Measures were developed for
each GHG emissions sector to address the specific GHG-generating activities (identified in Chapter 2) that contribute to Sacramento’s GHG
emissions profile. Each measure is supported
by a suite of actions, which are the implementable steps that Sacramento will take to achieve the measure goals. All actions supporting a measure, when taken together, produce a holistic approach to promoting change and
achieving the metrics for success identified for
each measure. The lessons learned through the
development and implementation of the City’s
previous CAP in 2012 have been key in developing a set of pillars that significantly improve the implementation and equity of climate
action. Each action included in the CAAP was
developed to support at least one of the following pillars of climate action:
• Produce measurable GHG emissions reductions
• Support information gathering for
improved measure implementation (e.g.,
feasibility studies, pilot programs)
• Coordinate with local partners to support
equitable distribution of new employment
opportunities for the community in the
areas of renewable energy, electrification,
waste management, and new technology development and deployment • Achieve just outcomes and avoid unintended impacts on under-resourced communities through human-centered design and engagement and the development
of new resources and programs specifically for low-income communities • Foster and equip community education, outreach, and leadership for CAAP implementation • Partner and leverage resources to maximize impact with local organizations and agencies, with the understanding that
some groups within Sacramento are better
positioned than the City to implement
some of the CAAP’s climate actions
• Ensure accountability through tracking,
monitoring, and reporting
64 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Strategy Summary Measure Strategy
Summary
The strategies for the CAAP measures and supporting actions vary sector by sector and in general, continue many of the themes from the
previous CAP. The four top GHG reduction measures of the CAAP, however, are driven by a new over-arching strategy that leverages electricity
procurement transitions by SMUD (which currently offers 70 percent carbon-free electricity to the community and is anticipated to offer
100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030).
This new strategy aims to electrify transportation and the built environment to allow clean energy to replace fossil fuel-powered appliances and vehicles over the next 24 years.
The City of Sacramento is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 with at least an 85% reduction below 1990 levels, consistent with AB 1279. The measures in this CAAP were developed to build a strong foundation
for achieving carbon neutrality by the target
date. The CAAP includes a specific schedule for
future CAAP updates to make iterative course
corrections as part of the Implementation and
Monitoring Plan in Chapter 8. Full implementation of the measures and action in this CAAP is expected to exceed both the State’s SB 32
target and Sacramento’s 2030 climate action
target in 2030. However, due to the uncertainty
of future technologies and legislation, this
CAAP does not attempt to fully provide the specific measures and actions that will be needed over the next 24 years to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2045. New technologies and
legislation will provide future opportunities for
new measures and actions to be developed as
a part of future CAAP updates that will leverage
the most cutting-edge solutions available.
A central tenet of the CAAP is to ensure that
implementation does not result in unintended
costs for under-resourced communities and
that the co-benefits associated with climate
action and adaptation are equitably distributed throughout the community. The strategies outlined below and expanded on in Chapter 6 reflect recommendations from the
Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change Equity
Technical Advisory Committee and the City’s
Environmental Justice Working Group. Climate
action and adaptation has the potential to
significantly improve the quality of life for the
City’s most vulnerable populations by lowering energy bills, improving low-cost mobility options and connectivity, increasing green
space and shade in under-resourced communities, and improving air quality throughout the City. However, to ensure Sacramento’s
most vulnerable populations are resilient to
projected climate change impacts and ensure
they receive access to the many co-benefits
of climate action, special care is needed. The
CAAP measures prioritize under-resourced
communities to ensure an equitable transition
to a carbon neutral future. Actions found under
each measure help the City plan for:
• Dedicated funding and financing for
under-resourced communities
• Partnerships with community organizations
• Equitable deployment of projects
like tree plantings
• Continued outreach and engagement
within these communities
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Strategy Summary
65 BUILDINGS STRATEGY
GHG emissions in the buildings sector are
driven primarily by electricity and natural gas
usage for water heating, space heating/cooling,
and to a lesser extent, cooking. Sacramento’s
core strategy for achieving carbon neutrality in
the building sector is to leverage SMUD’s plan
to transition from 70 percent carbon-free electricity procurement to 100 percent carbon-free electricity procurement by 2030, by transitioning fossil fuel-powered buildings to electric-powered buildings. This process will begin with new buildings and transition to focus on
existing buildings over time. The building strategy also focuses on smarter land-use to reduce vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) and to encourage
smaller dwellings to improve housing affordability in Sacramento. The following measures have been developed to begin transitioning to
a carbon neutral building stock:
• E-1: Support SMUD as it implements the 2030 Zero Carbon Plan • E-2: Eliminate natural gas in new construction
• E-3: Transition natural gas in existing
buildings to carbon-free electricity by 2045
• E-4: Increase the amount of electricity produced
from local resources and work with SMUD
to install additional local storage by 2030
• E-5: Support infill growth with the goal that
90% of new growth is in the established and
center/corridor communities and 90% small-lot
and attached homes by 2040, consistent
with the regional Sustainable Communities
Strategy. Project-level VMT should be 15%
below (or 85% of ) the regional average.
These CAAP measures directly reflect the strategies identified by the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change (MCCC) to support sustainable
land use (MCCC built-environment recommendation #1), electrify new construction (MCCC built-environment recommendation #2), and
electrify existing buildings (MCCC built-environment recommendation #3). 66 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Strategy Summary
TRANSPORTATION
STRATEGY
GHG emissions from the transportation sector
are the largest contributor to Sacramento’s
GHG emissions and are driven by on-road passenger vehicles, heavy duty vehicles and commercial vehicles. Getting to carbon neutral in this sector entails a three-tiered approach:
• Significantly increase the portion of
trips completed via active transportation options like walking and biking, • Transition the majority of remaining trips to
public transit and carpools, and finally to
• Transition any remaining passenger
and commercial vehicle trips to EVs.
While the City cannot require residents to ride
a bike, take the bus, or buy EVs, the City and
its partners can collaborate to incentivize this
behavior change. The City and its partners will
support these cleaner transportation options
with incentives and by constructing or facilitating the construction of new transportation infrastructure such as bike lanes and pedestrian
infrastructure, new public transit infrastructure,
and public and private EV charging stations3.
Although shifting away from single-passenger vehicles has been historically difficult in
3. On April 20, 2021, Sacramento City Council adopted the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Ordinance to establish parking incentives for zero-emission car sharing and EV-charging infrastructure beyond code requirements (previous code requirements reflect the 2019 Title 24 code cycle, which has been updated starting in January 2023) starting in May 2021 and require higher levels of EV-charging infrastructure in new construction starting in 2023.
Sacramento and California, the City understands the importance of setting aggressive goals in this area to spur investment and innovation. Implementation of the transportation strategy will provide substantial co-benefits to
the City and help create a future Sacramento
with multiple sustainable transportation
options. The CAAP transportation measures
are as follows:
• TR-1: Improve active transportation infrastructure to achieve 6% active transportation mode share by 2030 and 12% by 2045
• TR-2: Support public transit improvements
to achieve 11% public transit mode share
by 2030 and maintain through 2045
• TR-3: Achieve zero-emission vehicle (ZEV)
adoption rates of 28% for passenger vehicles
and 22% for commercial vehicles by 2030
and 100% for all vehicles by 2045
These measures directly reflect the strategies developed by the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change to expand and enhance
Sacramento’s infrastructure for active transportation (mobility recommendation #1), transit and shared mobility (mobility recommendation
#2), and zero-emission vehicles (mobility recommendation #3).
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Strategy Summary
67 WASTE STRATEGY
GHG emissions in the waste sector are generated primarily by organic waste sent to the landfill. As it decays, organic waste forms
landfill gas that contains methane. Although
methane breaks down to carbon dioxide relatively quickly in the atmosphere, it traps 25 times more heat in the atmosphere than
carbon dioxide. Reducing methane emissions
is an effective strategy to slow climate change
in the near term. Getting to carbon neutral in
the waste sector entails diverting organic waste
from the landfill and reducing or recycling all
non-organic waste. The State has already established a statewide goal to reduce organic waste sent to the landfill 75 percent below 2014 levels
and rescue 20 percent of edible food currently
disposed of by 2025 through SB 1383, which
will be implemented and enforced by local
jurisdictions. Major components of SB 1383
went into effect in 2021 and 2022, including
mandatory organics recycling. While SB 1383
is State legislation, it was not included in the
City’s adjusted GHG emissions forecast due to
the level of implementation difficulty and need
for City resources. Therefore, the CAAP establishes a pathway to achieve this goal within Sacramento through the following measure:
• W-1: Work to reduce organic waste disposal 75% below 2014 levels by 2025 While the City has limited jurisdiction over food
system sourcing, this Measure also reflects
the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change
strategy to increase food security (community
health and resiliency recommendation #2).
Managing Food Waste
ACTIVE AND SHARED
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC
TRANSIT: Active transportation
includes walking, riding a nonmotorized or electric bike, scooter, or skateboard, or any other way
of getting around that does
not include using a fossil-fuel
motorized vehicle. Shared
transportation includes publicly
shared vehicle networks such as
bike share, or car share programs.
Public transit includes any form
of transportation provided by a
regional transportation agency
such as buses, shuttles, trains, or
light rails.
68 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Strategy Summary
WATER AND WASTEWATER
STRATEGY
Water and wastewater GHG emissions in
Sacramento are driven by electricity usage for
water conveyance and treatment for residential, commercial, and municipal buildings in the City. Getting to carbon neutral in this sector
entails transitioning to carbon-free electricity
while also increasing water efficiency, which
has the added advantage of conserving water
and reducing drought impacts to local ecosystems and water supplies. The CAAP water and wastewater measures are:
• WW-1: Reduce water utility emissions (in MT
CO2e per million gallon delivered) by 100%
by 2030 and maintain that through 2045
• WW-2: Reduce wastewater emissions
by 22% by 2030 and 40% by 2045
While the Mayors’ Commission on Climate
Change does not make recommendations
related to water and wastewater, the City recognizes the important role that water and wastewater play as part of the GHG emissions
landscape in California and has included these
measures as an effort for Sacramento to do its
part in reducing water use and water-related
GHG emissions.
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
STRATEGY
Carbon neutrality is defined as no net gain of
GHG emissions in the atmosphere or when
GHG emissions are equal to the GHGs removed
from the atmosphere. Realistically, Sacramento
will likely have some GHG emissions associated
with its activities in 2045, regardless of how well
GHG emissions can be reduced in each of the
City’s GHG-generating sectors. To offset remaining future GHG emissions, the City will invest in carbon sequestration methods that will move
net GHG emissions back towards zero. The
CAAP’s carbon sequestration measure is:
• CS-1: Increase urban tree canopy cover
to 25% by 2030 and 35% by 2045.
A focus on carbon sequestration has the added
benefit of increasing greenspace for more
robust local habitats, reducing urban heat
island effects, and beautifying Sacramento,
especially in historically underserved communities. This CAAP measure is consistent with the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change strategy to expand green infrastructure to ensure that all neighborhoods, starting with historically under-resourced communities and neighborhoods with low canopy cover, have access to greenspace and tree canopy shade (community health and resiliency recommendation #1).
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > GHG Reductions by the Numbers 69 GHG Reductions
by the Numbers
Together, Sacramento’s CAAP measures have
the potential to reduce GHG emissions well
beyond the 2030 target. Table 5-2 shows the
GHG emissions that will be saved in 2030 and
2045 with implementation of each measure.4
As shown below in Table 5-2, Sacramento’s
GHG emissions reduction measures have the
potential to exceed the 2030 target with full
implementation.5 For more information on how
these reductions were calculated please see
Chapter 6 and Appendix C.
The breakdown of anticipated GHG emissions
reductions by measure is shown in Figure 5-1.
Some measures have no associated GHG emissions reductions and are instead marked as “Supportive.” These measures could not be
4. GHG emissions savings were calculated relative to the adjusted forecast. For example, the GHG emissions total for Sacramento in 2030 with measure implementation can be calculated as the adjusted forecast GHG emissions in 2030 minus the GHG emissions savings in 2030 from the measures.
5. Note that without full implementation of the VMT reduction strategies (TR-1 through TR-3), which are the most capital-intensive measures in the CAAP and are contingent on funding, the City still exceeds the 2030 target. This is discussed in more detail in Appendix C. quantified due to lack of data or existing case
studies, but are still instrumental to successful
CAAP implementation. As shown in the figure,
measures E-1, E-2, E-3, and TR-3 provide some
of the largest GHG emissions reductions and
rely on SMUD’s 2030 decarbonization plan
to provide the maximum possible reduction.
While these ambitious reductions substantially exceed the State’s 2030 target, they fall short of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045
(Figure 5-2). Remaining emissions in 2045
include wastewater process emissions, some
natural gas end uses like stoves and dryers, and
emissions from waste. Future CAAP updates
will need to further address these sectors and
adopt new and innovative strategies for all
sectors as new technologies and regulations
are drafted. As the 2045 target is codified by
the State, an updated statewide scoping plan
will also reveal the long-term strategy for statewide carbon neutrality. 70 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > GHG Reductions by the Numbers Table 5-2. GHG Reduction Potential by Sector and Measure Measure
Number
Measure Name GHG Emissions
Saved in 2030
(MT CO2e)
GHG Emissions
Saved in 2045
(MT CO2e)
Built Environment (Energy and Electrification)
E-1 Support SMUD as it implements the 2030 Zero
Carbon Plan
576,225 01
E-2 Eliminate natural gas in new construction 28,269 100,966 E-3 Transition natural gas in existing buildings to
carbon-free electricity by 2045
42,451 402,468
E-4 Increase the amount of electricity produced from
local resources and work with SMUD to install
additional local storage by 2030
Supportive Supportive
E-5 Support infill growth with the goal that 90% of new growth is in the established and center/corridor
communities and 90% small-lot and attached
homes by 2040, consistent with the regional
Sustainable Communities Strategy. Project-level
VMT should be 15% below (or 85% of) the
regional average.
Supportive Supportive
Mobility
TR-1 Improve active transportation infrastructure to
achieve 6% active transportation mode share by
2030 and 12% by 2045
13,509 30,557
TR-2 Support public transit improvements to achieve
11% public transit mode share by 2030 and
maintain through 2045
106,035 122,371
TR-3 Achieve zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption
rates of 28% for passenger vehicles and 22% for
commercial vehicles by 2030 and 100% for all
vehicles by 2045
212,451 1,137,071
Waste
W-1 Work to reduce organic waste disposal 75% below
2014 levels by 2025
134,991 160,897
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > GHG Reductions by the Numbers 71 Measure
Number
Measure Name GHG Emissions
Saved in 2030
(MT CO2e)
GHG Emissions
Saved in 2045
(MT CO2e)
Water and Wastewater
WW-1 Reduce water utility emissions (in MT CO2
e per
million gallon delivered) by 100% by 2030 and
maintain that through 2045
6,296 01
WW-2 Reduce wastewater emissions by 22% by 2030 and
40% by 2045
5,495 11,517
Carbon Sequestration
CS-1 Increase urban tree canopy cover to 25% by 2030
and 35% by 2045.
23,053 61,474
GHG Emissions Reduction Summary
Estimated Reductions Achieved from Full Measure
Implementation 1,146,125 2,027,321
Total Reduction Needed to Meet Climate Action
Targets 543,437 2,227,322
Gap to Target -602,687 200,001
1. GHG emissions reductions associated with Measure E-1 and WW-1 are zero in 2045 because the State has required all electricity providers to procure 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. While SMUD has created a plan to achieve this goal by 2030, GHG emissions reductions in 2045 are already captured in the adjusted forecast for Sacramento. 72 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > GHG Reductions by the Numbers Figure 5-1. GHG Emissions Reductions Breakdown by Measure (2030) Figure 5-2. Sacramento’s Climate Action Targets and Reduction Pathway (MT CO2e) City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > GHG Reductions by the Numbers 73 CONSIDERATIONS FOR
ACHIEVING CARBON
NEUTRALITY
The City of Sacramento is committed to achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible. While the measures and actions detailed in this report
do not achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, they
do form a realistic and implementable foundation on which to decarbonize the City, achieve GHG reductions in 2030 consistent with the
State’s goals, and meet CEQA criteria for a
“qualified” GHG reduction plan, as discussed
in Chapter 1. The measures and actions in
this CAAP are the next steps in a long history
of progress on climate in Sacramento. This iteration of the CAAP does not include measures and actions that will achieve carbon neutrality
due to three main reasons:
Timeframe
This plan has a timeline of between five and ten
years and the measures and actions included
here are meant for implementation in the short
term. This plan, if fully implemented, will put
the City on a trajectory to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. However, future CAAP updates will need to take into consideration the new
conditions within the City, the State and
beyond. While the City could simply include
highly aggressive measures to be implemented
15 or even 20 years from now, doing so would
be highly speculative and would not increase
the rate of reductions today. Future CAAP
updates will reevaluate the progress the City
has made, increase the implementation of the
strategies included in this CAAP, and develop
new strategies as needed.
Equity
Sacramento's under-resourced communities
are likely to face the greatest impacts from
climate change (increased heat, fewer trees,
poor air quality, rising costs of living) and are
Sacramento's communities with the fewest
resources in terms of ability to harness technology for adaptation. Addressing climate change will require financial investment such
as purchasing new EVs, electrifying buildings, installing solar and battery storage, and other actions. While reducing GHG emissions
is necessary, the City must have a strategy
that is equitable. Therefore, before aggressive
actions are considered, the costs and benefits
must first be fully understood and policies to
mitigate equity impacts must be in place. The
Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)
defines three equity objectives or dimensions
for incorporation into sustainability planning processes:
Procedural
• Create processes that are transparent, fair,
and inclusive in developing and implementing any program, plan, or policy. • Ensure that all people are
treated openly and fairly.
• Increase the civic engagement opportunities of communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Distributional
• Fairly distribute resources, benefits, and burdens.
• Prioritize resources for communities that experience the greatest inequities, disproportionate impacts, and have the greatest unmet needs.
74 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > GHG Reductions by the Numbers Structural
• Make a commitment to correct past harms and
prevent future unintended consequences.
• Address the underlying and institutional systems that are the root causes of social and racial inequities.
These equity objectives will be important for
the City to work towards during implementation of the CAAP measures and actions. The CAAP establishes new requirements and incentives for the community, which have the potential, if not implemented effectively, to exacerbate existing inequities as described above.
By developing implementation procedures to
address procedural, distributional, and structural equity, the City will aim to avoid causing further harm to underserved communities.
Technology
The pace of technological change has been and
will likely continue to be rapid, especially when
it comes to addressing climate change. While
the City could plan through 2045 using today’s
technology, by the time the CAAP is updated
in 2030 a new suite of solutions will be available. Therefore, this CAAP focuses on the next several years, with an expected CAAP update
to be initiated in 2027, for adoption in 2030 in
conjunction with the next General Plan update.
These updates will ensure the City achieves
carbon neutrality using the most cost effective and efficient solutions including the use of cutting edge technologies.
Electric Heat Pump HVAC Unit Installation
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Co-Benefits
75 Measure
Co-Benefits
In addition to GHG emissions reductions,
the CAAP measures and actions will produce
many other co-benefits for the community.
Co-benefits refer to the positive effects that a
climate action policy will have on other community objectives, as defined by the United National Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC).6 For example, co-benefits stemming from building electrification include lower energy costs for residents and improved
local air quality.
Another co-benefit of CAAP adoption will be
facilitation of local development, because the
CAAP itself will be used to streamline the CEQA
6. IPCC 2007;IPCC 2014a; IPCC 2014b; https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/. process for new development projects. A key
priority throughout the CAAP development
process has been the promotion of thoughtful
development in Sacramento that will support
the local economy, provide for infrastructure
upgrades, and ensure affordable housing needs
are met in alignment with City and State goals.
The CAAP provides a clear pathway for new
development to align with State climate action
requirements and supports local development
and investment. The sector strategies are a key
component of a CEQA-qualified GHG-reduction
plan, which will allow new development projects in Sacramento to “tier off” of the CAAP, significantly reducing the required CEQA review that is required for new development.
The co-benefits of successful implementation
of measures in this CAAP are discussed in more
detail below and paired with relevant measures
throughout Chapter 6.
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
76 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Co-Benefits
PUBLIC
HEALTH
Climate action can improve a
variety of health and safety conditions, including risk of heat-related and other illness from air quality or heatwaves, physical fitness levels, and mental wellbeing. Air monitoring data show that over 90 percent
of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of
one or more air pollutants during some part
of the year, primarily due to the combustion
of fossil fuels.7 Sacramento is listed as one of
the most polluted cities in the United States
for unhealthy ozone days, unhealthy spikes
in particle pollution, and for annual particle
pollution levels.8 Exposure to these pollutants
can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,
chronic and acute respiratory illnesses, cancer,
and pre-term births. Climate actions aimed at
reducing traffic congestion, taking vehicles off
the road, and electrifying fossil-fueled equipment will lessen the potential for health risks for Sacramento’s communities. Prioritizing
underserved communities for actions that
7. California Air Resources Board. ARB Fact Sheet: Air Pollution and Health. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/health-air-pollution.
8. American Lung Association. (2021, April 21). Lung Association Report finds Californian’s Health at Risk Due to Air Pollution and Climate Change Impacts. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.lung.org/getmedia/17c6cb6c-8a38-42a7-a3b0-6744011da370/sota-2021.pdf.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Natural Disasters and Severe Weather: Extreme Heat. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html.
10. Litman, Todd and Victoria Transport Policy Institute. (2021, September 1). Evaluating Active Transport Benefits and Costs. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.vtpi.org/nmt-tdm.pdf. improve air quality is also important for ensuring those community members who are most vulnerable will have access to these health
co-benefits.
Heat-related illness is another significant
health risk that is expected to increase with
climate change. As described in Chapter 1,
increasing temperatures from climate change
are causing more intense and frequent heat
waves in Sacramento. More than 600 people
in the United States are killed by extreme heat
events every year, making extreme heat one of
the deadliest types of weather-related hazards.9
Climate actions like maintaining existing trees
and planting more trees for increased canopy
cover and contributing to GHG emissions
reductions can help reduce the risk of increased
heat-related illness in Sacramento. Climate
action can also help make residents more
active. Actions like building more bikeways,
crosswalks and sidewalks encourage active
modes of transportation such as biking and
walking and can reduce obesity and non-communicable disease risk, diminish public health service costs, and improve mental health.10
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Co-Benefits
77 COMMUNITY
COST SAVINGS
Investments in climate action
can save community members
money both up front and over time. For
example, investments in walking, biking, and
public transit infrastructure can improve community usage of these transportation options and act as a less expensive alternative to
driving for shorter trips within a city. EVs also
represent an opportunity for cost savings for
owners. Studies have shown that EVs have 50 to
75 percent of the average maintenance cost of
a conventional vehicle and EVs cost about half
as much to fuel as traditional fossil fuel vehicles.11,12 For low-income residents in California, who spend between 17 and 36 percent of their
total household budget on transportation,
obtaining the up-front capital to purchase an
EV through low-income programs can contribute significantly to reducing this cost burden.13 Incorporating energy reduction initiatives into
buildings can result in on-going cost savings
for property owners. For example, using trees
11. Delucchi, Mark, Quanlu, Wang, and Daniel, Sperlin. Electric vehicles: performance, life-cycle costs, emissions, and recharging requirements.
Transportation Research Part A 23A (February 1989): 255-78.
12. US Department of Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2021 from https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/fotw-1190-june-14-2021-battery-electric-vehicles-have-lower-scheduled
13. California Air Resources Board. (2018, February 2021). Low-Income Barriers Study Part B: Overcoming Barriers to Clean Transportation Access for Low-income Residents. Retrieved September 30, 2021 from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2018-08/sb350_final_guidance_document_022118.pdf.
14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Heat Island Reduction Activities.
Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-05/documents/reducing_urban_heat_islands_ch_6.pdf.
15. California Energy Codes and Standards. (n.d.). Statewide Reach Codes Program. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://localenergycodes.com/content/2019-local-energy-ordinances/.
16. Gridworks. (2020.) California’s Gas System in Transition. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://gridworks.org/initiatives/cagas-system-transition/. to shade buildings can save money on air
conditioning costs. One study of a shade-tree
planting project reported energy savings from
cooling ranging from 7 to 47 percent due to
passive solar shading.14 Additionally, research
has concluded that most all-electric buildings
are cheaper to build and cheaper to operate
over time when compared to traditional buildings with both gas and electricity.15 Natural gas is also getting more expensive. Without a transition plan, the bill for running a gas furnace could increase 500 percent by 2050, due to
increasing natural gas infrastructure costs
coupled with a naturally declining demand for
gas as appliances become more energy efficient.16 Many of these saved dollars are spent in the local economy where they have economic
multiplier effects. Residents have more money
to spend on daily needs, education, medical
care, and leisure activities, all of which feed into
local economic growth. Measures that have the
community cost savings co-benefit have been
found to save the community money either up
front, or over time.
78 05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Co-Benefits
ADAPTATION
While the CAAP has a dedicated adaptation section
(Chapter 7) many climate mitigation actions can also bolster the ability of Sacramento residents and businesses to adapt
to climate change and recover quickly from
climate hazards such as extreme heat days
or localized flooding. For example, planting
trees for carbon sequestration and maintaining existing trees to and increase tree canopy cover can help keep streets and neighborhoods
cooler especially in disadvantaged communities that have lower tree cover on average.
Studies have shown that shading 40 percent of
a city street can counteract the warming effects
from asphalt.17 The value of canopy cover and
cooler streets will continue to be important for
Sacramento as average citywide temperatures
rise. Increasing tree canopy cover to provide
cooling and carbon sequestration is one
example of increased resilience.
Electrification through the use of heat pumps
will significantly reduce GHG emissions associated with buildings but also provide efficient
17. Chodosh, S. (2019, March 25). Popular Science. Here’s how many trees are required to cool a city street; An equation for throwing shade.
Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.popsci.com/shade-city-streets-trees-cooling/.
18. Sacramento Municipal Utilities District. (n.d.). Low-income assistance and nonprofits. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.smud.org/en/Rate-Information/Low-income-and-nonprofits.
19. Dale, A., Newell, R., and Roseland, M. (2018, October). The International Journal of Climate Change Impacts and Responses. Climate Action Co-benefits and Integrated Community Planning. Uncovering the Synergies and Trade-Offs. Retrieved September 21, 2021. From https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328539965_Climate_Action_Cobenefits_and_Integrated_Community_Planning_Uncovering_ the_Synergies_and _Trade-Offs.
20. Kuo, F.E. and Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Impacts of environment via mental fatigue. Environment & Behavior. 33(4): 543-571.
21. Leyden, K. M. (2003). American Journal of Public Health. Social Capital and the Built Environment: The Importance of Walkable Neighborhoods.
22. Wells, K.B. et al. (2013, July 3). US National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Community Engagement in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery: A Tale of Two Cities - Los Angeles and New Orleans. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3780560/.
cooling for homes that may not have air conditioning, an important adaptation strategy especially for vulnerable populations. Developing building electrification programs with equity in
mind, such as SMUD’s low income retrofit programs, could help improve the adaptive capacity of Sacramento’s most vulnerable populations in the face of increasing temperatures.18 Climate actions can also enhance community
cohesion—the networks of formal and informal relationships among neighbors that foster a mutually supporting human environment.19
One study found that even small amounts of
greenery helped inner city residents have safer,
less violent domestic environments.20 A survey
measuring the social capital of residents in a
wide range of neighborhood types found a
positive relationship between neighborhood
walkability and knowing neighbors, participating politically, trusting others, and being socially engaged.21 A socially engaged community is one in which people are more willing to look out for each other and support each other
in time of need.22
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
05. GHG Reduction Strategy > Measure Co-Benefits
79 JOB CREATION
In many cases, climate action
means financial investment.
These investments can boost
Sacramento’s economy through promoting
the development of local projects, programs,
and jobs. Successful implementation of the
CAAP will also solidify Sacramento’s position as
a leader in next generation technologies and
economic sectors. Investments in construction,
manufacturing, clean technology, green infrastructure, and civil engineering sectors provide businesses with opportunities for growth and
create skilled, well-paying “green” jobs for the
community. Many of the jobs in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector are associated with installation, maintenance, and
construction—making them inherently local
and influential to the local economy. Studies
have shown that energy efficiency investments create more jobs than those in fossil fuel industries. It is estimated that approximately
eight green jobs are generated per $1 million
invested, compared to approximately three
jobs per $1 million in fossil-fuel industries.23 A
University of California, Berkeley study found
that the solar industry creates 0.87 job-years
(years of work) per gigawatt hours and energy
efficiency creates 0.38 job years per gigawatt
23. Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). Climate Corps. Now Hiring: The Growth of America’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Jobs. Retrieved from http://edfclimatecorps.org/sites/edfclimatecorps.org/files/the_growth_of_americas_clean_energy_and_sustainability_jobs.pdf.
24. UC-Berkeley. (n.d.). Center for Resource Efficient Communities. Methods to Assess Co-Benefits of California Climate Investments. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/ucb_lit_rev_on_jobs.pdf?_ga=2.164452799.1014054 594.1562085485- 1467300981.1559153156.
25. US Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Ground-level Ozone Basics. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/ground-level-ozone-basics. hours.24 Measures with the job creation co-benefit are expected to increase the number of jobs especially in the green economy, helping
to ensure Sacramento’s economy is ready for
the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
Climate change will have significant impacts on the ecosystems that support both human and environmental
health. Air quality, water quality and availability, plants, and animals will all be stressed by a rapidly changing climate. Measures with
the environmental quality co-benefits will
help improve these areas and ensure these
environmental systems continue to function.
Measures like increasing the tree canopy will
provide more habitat and keep temperatures
cooler while building and vehicle electrification will improve air quality. Residential buildings in California have been found to produce upwards of 82 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx)
on a daily basis, more than seven times what
California’s power plants produce. This NOx is a
precursor to smog (ozone) which impacts the
health of people and the environment, including impacting airways and even plant growth.25 80 81
CHAPTER
GHG-REDUCTION MEASURES
AND ACTIONS
1. For a complete description of the assumptions and calculations supporting each quantified GHG reduction, see Appendix C.
This chapter provides a detailed overview of
each CAAP measure and its associated actions,
key performance indicators, expected GHG
emissions reductions and co-benefits.1 Each
measure also includes an explanation of its
alignment with the Mayors’ Commission on
Climate Change and how the measure and
related actions contribute to a carbon-neutral Sacramento. The CAAP actions define the specific policies, programs, and steps the City
and its partners will implement to achieve the
measure goals and the climate action targets. Rooftop Solar Panels
06. 82 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions >
This chapter also identifies the implementation leads, performance indicators for implementation tracking, and implementation phase associated with each action. The City
of Sacramento has established two phases for
implementation:
• Phase 1 actions will begin implementation at CAAP adoption or before. These actions have been prioritized due to their
importance, cost-effectiveness, or the availability of resources for implementation. • Phase 2 actions will begin implementation
between 2024 and 2030. These actions may
require additional resources such as staff
time, funding and financing, or there may
need to be additional education and outreach conducted prior to implementation.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure in Sacramento
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment83 84 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment MEASURE E-1: Support SMUD as it Implements
the 2030 Zero Carbon Plan
2. SMUD. 2030 Zero Carbon Plan. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.smud.org/-/media/Documents/Corporate/EnvironmentalLeadership/ZeroCarbon/2030-Zero-Carbon-Plan-Technical-Report.ashx To support Sacramento’s climate action targets
and achieve their own sustainability goals,
SMUD developed a 2030 Zero Carbon Plan,
which provides a roadmap for SMUD to eliminate GHG emissions from their power supply by 2030.2 SMUD’s 2030 Zero Carbon Plan also provides a roadmap to ensure that the customers and communities they serve will reap the greatest benefits from the elimination of natural gas from their buildings. Utilizing carbon-free
electricity is a central element of Sacramento’s
plan to achieve its 2030 target and 2045 carbon
neutrality goal, particularly in relation to measures E-2, E-3, and TR-3, which work to electrify the majority of buildings and vehicles in Sacramento by 2045. While this measure primarily falls on SMUD to implement, there may be opportunities for the City to provide support
through the possible permitting of new projects, coordination of land use and energy efficiency projects, as well as public support of the plan and its benefits. The City is committed to
continuing its close collaboration with SMUD
through the next decade. SMUD has also identified the positive equity benefits of the 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, including alleviation of air
pollution from the combustion of natural gas
within buildings, and increased investment
in underserved community partnerships and
programs that provide equitable access to
SMUD jobs, rebate and incentive programs, and
low-income programs. While this measure provides a significant GHG reduction in 2030, the impacts decrease towards zero by 2045 due to
implementation of the California Renewable
Portfolio Standard and SB 100, a State law
requiring 100 percent renewable electricity in
California already included in the forecast.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
In June 2020, the Mayors’ Commission on
Climate Change provided recommendations
for electrification of new construction, electrification of existing buildings, and electrification of fossil-fuel vehicles. Measure E-1 maximizes
the GHG reduction benefits of these actions
and supports building community trust around
the electrification process. Recommendations
also include allocation of resources that
address historical and current inequities, inclusion of under-resourced communities historically excluded from the policymaking process, and expansion of partnerships and support
for community-based organizations. Measure
E-1 will support SMUD’s efforts in these areas,
particularly in increased investment in low-income programs.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 85 Key Performance Indicators
A. 100% renewable electricity citywide by 2030
3. The GHG-reduction value of this measure goes to zero by 2045 due to the impacts of SB 100 which are already accounted for in the forecast. Because of SB 100, all electricity will be renewable by 2045, and, therefore, the difference between SMUD electricity and baseline will be zero.
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 576,225 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 0 MT CO2
e3
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation Job Creation
Environmental
Quality
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
E-1.1: Support SMUD in the
implementation of the 2030
Zero Carbon Plan.
• Office of Climate
Action &
Sustainability
• Community
Development
Department
Phase
1 100% renewable
electricity citywide
by 2030
86 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment MEASURE E-2: Eliminate Natural Gas in New Construction
4. Local Energy Codes. Cost Effectiveness Explorer. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://explorer.localenergycodes.com/sacramento-city/summary
5. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Electricity a Smarter Choice than Low-Carbon Gas in CA Homes. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.nrdc.org/experts/merrian-borgeson/new-study-electricity-trounces-low-carbon-gas-buildings For Sacramento to achieve carbon neutrality by
2045, the majority of buildings in the City will
need to be powered by carbon-free energy.
This measure enables new buildings to take
advantage of renewable electricity from SMUD.
An important co-benefit of all-electric buildings is improved indoor and outdoor air quality.
In addition, construction costs for all-electric
buildings are lower for most building types.4
Constructing new buildings as all-electric eliminates the high level of investment that would be needed to retrofit new buildings in the
future in order to achieve carbon neutrality. Allelectric buildings are also generally less expensive to live in due to high efficiency appliances5 and low electricity prices from SMUD.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends that
Sacramento mandate all-electric construction to eliminate fossil-fuel use in new lowrise (under 4 stories) buildings by 2023 and all buildings by 2026. This mandate is reflected in
Action E-2.1, though the proposed ordinance
pathway has been adjusted to reflect the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit’s April 2023 decision in the California
Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Adoption of an Energy Policy and Conservation
Act (EPCA) compliant flexible path reach code
for new construction ordinance by the end of
2025.
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 28,269 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 100,966 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 87 Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
E-2.1: Develop and adopt an ordinance
that reduces energy use and GHG
emissions in new construction through
an Energy Policy and Conservation Act
(EPCA) compliant flexible path reach
code, requiring newly constructed
buildings to exceed the State Building
Energy Efficiency Standards.
• Community
Development
Department
• Office of
Climate
Action &
Sustainability
• SMUD
Phase 2 Ordinance
adopted
E-2.2: Assess the feasibility of requiring
or incentivizing net-zero energy
(NZE) or net positive design for new
buildings and significant retrofitting of
existing privately-owned buildings and
identify incentives for NZE and netpositive design.
• Community
Development
Department
• None Phase 2 Assessment
completed
88 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment IMPLEMENTATION SUCCESS AND CHALLENGE:
Due to its considerable impact on GHG reductions, co-benefits, and direction from the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change, the City of Sacramento worked to implement Measure E-2 before the CAAP was adopted. On November 29, 2022, City Council adopted a new building electrification ordinance in furtherance of Measure E-2, following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement effort, an educational webinar series, and collaboration to use the ordinance to drive just transition and equity outcomes. After adoption of the new building electrification ordinance, a decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the “Ninth Circuit”) reversing a United States District Court decision in the California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley case made the new building electrification ordinance unenforceable. The Ninth Circuit determined that Berkeley’s new building electrification ordinance was preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”). This decision impacts similar ordinances throughout the Ninth Circuit, including Sacramento’s. Because of this decision, the City will pursue an alternate pathway to implement E-2.1, developing and adopting an ordinance that reduces energy use and GHG emissions in new construction through an EPCA compliant flexible path reach code, requiring newly constructed buildings to exceed the State Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 89 MEASURE E-3: Transition Natural Gas in Existing
Buildings to Carbon-free Electricity by 2045
6. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Natural Gas Explained. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/use-of-natural-gas.php While Measure E-2 focuses on achieving carbon
neutrality for new construction, Measure E-3
focuses on achieving carbon neutrality for
existing buildings through electrification of
existing fossil fuel-powered equipment. The
highest GHG-emitting appliances in existing
buildings, particularly homes, are space heaters
and water heaters which are the focus of this
measure.6 Appliances could also include gas
stoves and gas dryers. Electrification of existing
buildings is expected to occur incrementally
as old gas appliances wear out and need to be
replaced. However, up-front investments may
be needed, especially for older buildings, which
can include the need for added panel capacity
and additional labor and equipment costs for
all-electric equipment versus natural gas-powered equipment. While existing building electrification is likely to have a long-term payback, additional resources are needed to facilitate
the transition and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits and costs. On June 1, 2021, City Council approved a Resolution (2021-0166)
that included direction for the City to establish
a framework for the electrification of existing buildings (Action E-3.1). This framework is anticipated to be considered by City Council in
2024. Measure E-3 includes a support structure
of information gathering, financial incentives,
rebates, and educational programs to help residents and businesses replace their space and water heaters with electric alternatives and
improve energy efficiency in the home through
heat pumps, insulation, and air sealing (Actions
E-3.2 through E-3.6). Incentives, rebates, and
education programs will be coordinated
through SMUD, as well as state and federal programs, and focused on disadvantaged communities community groups to reduce unintended costs to under-resourced households (Actions
E-3.3, E-3.5, and E-3.6).
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends that
Sacramento transition 25 percent of existing
residential and small commercial buildings to
all-electric by 2030 and establish a comprehensive electrification and energy-efficiency program. Because of uncertainty regarding a
viable ordinance pathway to require appliance
electrification, Measure E-3 establishes a target
of reducing natural gas usage by 10 percent
through building electrification by 2030 and
74 percent by 2045. Measure E-3 also incorporates equity recommendations to operationalize equity considerations and expand the capacities of cultural brokers by establishing a
commitment to electrification education and
outreach programs for low-income community
groups and working with existing agencies and
community-based organizations (e.g., SMUD,
EJCGC, Community Resource Project (CRP),
90 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment and GRID Alternatives) that have already established engagement efforts around this issue.
A number of financing programs are available
for property owners, including the State-led Go
Green Financing program, property-assessed
clean energy programs (PACE), and SMUD
financing options.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Achieve natural gas usage rates of 156 therms
per person or less by 2030
B. Achieve natural gas usage rates of 47 therms
per person or less by 2045
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 42,451 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 402,468 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
E-3.1: Develop a comprehensive
existing building electrification
strategy that identifies associated
costs and addresses potential
equity impacts.
• Community
Development
Department
• Office of
Climate Action
& Sustainability
• SMUD
• Public Works
Phase 1 Complete an
existing building
electrification
study
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 91 Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
• E-3.2: Reduce GHG emissions from
existing buildings through an
approach consistent with applicable
laws and regulations, through
electrification or other means,
at time of replacement and/or
renovation.
• Community
Development
Department
• SMUD
• Office of
Climate Action
& Sustainability
Phase 2 Development and
adoption of one or
more ordinances
consistent with
applicable laws
and regulations
E-3.3: Work with SMUD to expand
existing low-income programs within
the City to weatherize and retrofit/
electrify existing buildings, with the
goal of reducing energy consumption,
decreasing utility bills, and converting
to carbon-free energy use by 2040.
• SMUD • Community
Development
Department
• Sacramento
Housing and
Redevelopment
Agency
• Other
Community
Partners
Phase 2 Number of lowincome homes
retrofitted
E-3.4: Promote and educate the
community about existing programs
and expand electrification retrofit
incentives for space and water heating
to support electrification.
• SMUD • Community
Development
Department
Phase 2 None
E-3.5: Provide electrification retrofit
incentives and financing for space and
water heating.
• SMUD • Community
Development
Department
Phase 1 New electrification
retrofit incentives
established
E-3.6: Continue to promote and
incentivize electrification supportive
energy efficiency in existing buildings
including lighting, insulation, and air
sealing upgrades through programs
and financing mechanisms.
• Private PACE
Financing
programs
• Office of the
City Clerk
Phase 1 None
92 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment MEASURE E-4: Increase the Amount of Electricity
Produced from Local Resources and Work with SMUD
to Install Additional Local Storage by 2030
7. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). California’s Grid is Ready for All-Electric Buildings (April 16, 2020). Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.nrdc.org/experts/merrian-borgeson/californias-grid-ready-all-electric-buildings Measures E-2, E-3, and TR-3 will increase the
electricity demand in Sacramento, but building
electrification is not expected to overburden
the existing grid. This is because peak demand
is during the summer, and the primary increase
in electricity demand from building electrification will be in the winter from the addition of electric space heating appliances. The existing
grid can comfortably support7 this increase
with some modifications. Adding renewable
energy resources and storage within the City
of Sacramento (Actions E-4.1 through E-4.4)
will contribute to the carbon-free electricity
goals in Measure E-1. Adding local renewable
electricity resources and storage helps SMUD
balance the grid while generating more renewable electricity and harnessing the benefits of distributed battery storage. Advancing local
clean power also stimulates job growth in green
industries and creates a more resilient electrical grid, all while contributing to Sacramento’s carbon neutrality goal. While SMUD will be the
primary implementer of Measure E-4, the City
will support SMUD’s efforts by finding locations for renewables and storage, installing this equipment at City facilities, convening stakeholders, or by other means. By helping SMUD transition away from fossil fuel-generated
electricity, this measure also alleviates existing
air pollution impacts to improve public health
in Sacramento.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends identifying climate adaptation strategies as part of the CAAP with a focus on early pilot projects.
Measure E-4 will enhance Sacramento’s electrical grid infrastructure for greater resiliency to the changing climate, while Action E-4.4
specifically commits to a community solar and
storage pilot project.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Pilot a local renewable energy project of at
least 1MW by 2030
Expected GHG Reductions
• Supportive
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 93 Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
E-4.1: Continue to promote and
support local energy generation
and storage resources.
• SMUD • Office of Climate
Action &
Sustainability
• Community
Development
Department
Phase 1 Data
implementation
begun.
E-4.2: Work with SMUD to site
storage and renewable generation
at locations in the City which
would best support overall grid
functionality while electrifying the
building stock and maximizing
the utilization of existing electrical
infrastructure.
• SMUD • Community
Development
Department
• Office of Climate
Action &
Sustainability
• Office of
Emergency
Management
Services
Phase 2 Plan
developed and
implementation
begun
E-4.3: Work alongside SMUD to
promote and further incentivize
battery storage as a means to
maximize electrification benefits
and improve resiliency.
• SMUD • Community
Development
Department/
Building Division
Phase 1 Incentives created
94 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
E-4.4: Develop a community
solar and storage project of at
least 1 MW as a pilot project
collaboration between SMUD
and the City with SMUD leading
project development and the
City supporting by providing a
location and permitting support.
• SMUD • Office of Climate
Action &
Sustainability
• Public Works
• Community
Development
Department
Phase 2 Pilot completed
E-4.5: Assess opportunities to
minimize solar shading from new
developments on existing solar
access of adjacent properties
• Community
Development
Department
Phase 2 Assessment
completed
E-4.6: Assess opportunities to
support integration of distributed
energy resources into the grid
through SMUD’s Virtual Power
Plant programs
• Community
Development
Department
• Office of Climate
Action &
Sustainability
Phase 2 Assessment
completed
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 95 MEASURE E-5: Support Infill Growth with the goal
that 90% of new Growth is in the Established and
Center/Corridor Communities and 90% Small-lot and
Attached Homes by 2040, Consistent with the Regional
Sustainable Communities Strategy. Project-level VMT
Should be 15% Below (or 85% of) the Regional Average
8. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. U.S. Households are Using Less Energy (July 11, 2018). Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/us-households-are-using-less-energy
9. A map of Sacramento’s established and center/corridor communities can be accessed here: chromehttps://sacog.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/0f2a40d8036943a2b5d8f5bff857d9d6
10. Small-lot homes are equal to or less than 5,200 square feet for interior lots and 6,200 square feet for corner lots.
This measure prioritizes infill development in
the City of Sacramento. Infill development is
the process of developing vacant or under-used
lots within existing urban areas that are already
largely developed. Infill development reduces
VMT and supports a carbon-neutral future by
situating new development in urban areas
within shorter distances of jobs and services.
Denser and more efficient development also
decreases per capita energy use by the built
environment.8 Public transit-oriented development, especially when paired with public transit improvements and parking maximums
for new development projects, further incentivizes public transit over single-occupancy vehicles and reduces VMT. This measure supports infill growth with the goal of achieving 90% of
new growth in established and center/corridor
communities and 90% small-lot and attached
homes by 2040, consistent with the Regional
Sustainable Communities Strategy.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends supporting infill growth consistent with the regional Sustainable Communities Strategy so that 90
percent of the City’s growth is in the established and center/corridor communities9 and is
90 percent small-lot10 and attached homes by
2040, and project-level VMT is 15 percent below
(or 85 percent of ) the regional average, exactly
in line with Measure E-5. Action E-5.1 aligns
with the recommendation to support equity
to address historical and current disparities
with housing policies, land use designations,
and implementation programs to facilitate the
development of transit-accessible affordable
housing, supported by anti-displacement policies and programs. 96 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment Key Performance Indicators
A. 90% of infill growth occurs in established and
center/corridor communities and 90% small lot
and attached homes by 2040
11. Progress on E-5 actions will be reported every 5 years as a part of General Plan and CAAP updates.
B. 29,000 new multi-unit dwellings that are transit
accessible by 2040
Expected GHG Reductions
• Supportive
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator11
E-5.1: Adopt and implement policies, land use
designations, and implementation programs
which provide a framework to:
• Accommodate 30% of the region's new
living-wage jobs and 30% of the region's new
housing units by 2040.
• Focus 90% of the city's infill growth into
established and center/corridor communities
with the goal of achieving 90% small-lot
single family and attached homes by 2040.
• Prioritize construction of lower-cost workforce
and affordable housing through modifications
of land-use designations and zoning, offering
ministerial/staff-level review of infill housing
and continue to reduce fees and the time and
expense of planning approval and building
permit processes.
• Include anti-displacement policies and
programs.
• Community
Development
Department
• None Phase 1 30% of region’s
jobs and 30%
of region’s new
housing units
accommodated
by 2040
90% of city’s
infill growth in
center/corridor
communities by
2040
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Built Environment 97 Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator11
E-5.2: Enable development of 29,000 new
multi-unit dwellings that are public transit
accessible (i.e., within 0.5 mile of public transit)
by 2040 through the continuation of the City’s
ministerial/staff-level review of infill housing,
reduced fees, and identification of local
funding sources.
• Community
Development
Department
• None Phase 2 29,000 new
multi-unit
dwellings that
are transit
accessible by
2040
E-5.3: Enable the development of 8,700 new
missing middle and affordable by design
housing types (such as dormitories and smaller
units) by 2040 within 0.25 mile of public transit
by updating the City Code to allow and reduce
barriers to these housing types. Couple with
anti-displacement policies and programs.
• Community
Development
Department
• None Phase 2 8,700 new
affordable by
design units
within 0.25 mile
of transit by
2040
E-5.4: Permit a greater array of housing types
in existing single-family neighborhoods
citywide by allowing missing middle housing
types such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs),
duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, and
bungalow courts in single-family and duplex
dwelling zones. Develop tools, resources and
educational materials to promote and facilitate
the development of ADUs in neighborhoods
throughout the City.12
• Community
Development
Department
• None Phase 2 Permit additional
neighborhoodscale housing
single-family
neighborhoods
12. See the land use policy and implementation program for the key strategy of “permitting a greater array of housing types in single-unit zones,” 2040 General Plan, Land Use Element.
TRANSPORTATION
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
9806. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 99 MEASURE TR-1: Improve Active Transportation
Infrastructure to Achieve 6% Active Transportation
Mode Share by 2030 and 12% by 2045
Getting to carbon-neutral will require reducing
the number of miles driven by fossil fuel-powered vehicles. This CAAP prioritizes reducing VMT first through transitioning VMT to active
transportation like biking and walking. To
do this, the CAAP helps prioritize the development of low-stress, safe, and convenient active transportation infrastructure that will
support higher rates of biking and walking.
Infrastructure needs include bikeway and sidewalk improvements and expansions in all areas of the City, primarily enabled through Actions
TR-1.1 and TR-1.2. Actions TR-1.3 through
TR-1.5 support better, more informed implementation of TR-1.1 and TR-1.2. Actions TR-1.2, TR-1.4, and TR-1.5 have been designed to maximize the benefits of improved active transportation infrastructure by focusing on projects in historically under-resourced communities.
TR-1 will work in concert with TR-2, which
encourages improvement of public transportation infrastructure, to achieve collective VMT reductions by 2030 and 2045. These reductions
are captured by the City’s goal to reduce VMT
within the City of Sacramento from 8,471 miles
per person per year to:
• 6,393 miles per person per year by 2030 (a 25
percent reduction from 2016 levels); and
• 5,625 miles per person per year by 2045 (a
34 percent reduction from 2016 levels)
The City chose to track the combined effect of
TR-1 and TR-2 on VMT, in addition to the individual mode share metrics for active transportation and public transit, as an additional way to verify that the CAAP is properly implemented. The City also notes that substantial financial resources are needed to implement
and achieve the goals of TR-1 and TR-2.
Figure 6-1. Sustainable Transportation
Hierarchy
Active Transportation
Public Transit
Commercial Transit,
Shared Vehicles,
Taxis
Singleoccupant
Vehicles
100 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends prioritizing
active transportation infrastructure for walking
and rolling in a new “modal hierarchy” that
places people and shared trips over single-occupant vehicles. Prioritizing active transportation is the first step to reducing transportation emissions in Sacramento, aligning with measure
TR-1. Recommendations include transitioning
30 percent of all trips to active transportation
by 2030 and 40 percent by 2045. Because the
CAAP must quantify the GHG reductions associated with its actions, the CAAP cannot use trips as a metric for this measure, because a trip does
not have a defined distance or quantity of GHG
emissions. However, in 2016 approximately 10
percent of trips were taken by bike or walking
according to the SACSIM model and the mode
share for active transportation and public
transit in this year was approximately 2 percent.
The CAAP calls for increasing active transportation mode share to 6 percent by 2030, approximately a three-fold increase from 2016. This level of active transportation mode share by
2030 is consistent with outcomes of comparable
case studies and peer-reviewed literature and
anticipated level of investment through 2030,
all of which are necessary factors to consider
for quantifying evidence-based reductions for a
qualified GHG reduction plan. Action TR-1.3 also
acts as a first step in aligning with the recommendation to conduct a comprehensive neighborhood-level audit to identify deficient active transportation infrastructure.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Achieve 6% active transportation mode share
by 2030 and 12% by 2045
B. Deploy 30 miles of new bikeways by 2030
C. Install or improve 20,000 feet of pedestrian
infrastructure and at least 70 new pedestrian
crossings by 2030
D. Implement the 2016 Bicycle Master Plan by
constructing 40 miles of bike lanes, 48 miles of
bike routes, 40 miles of buffered bike lanes, 18
miles of separated bikeways, and 127 miles of
shared-use paths, by 2045
E. Construct the pedestrian network in the 2006
Pedestrian Master Plan by 2045
F. Collectively reduce VMT to 6,393 miles per
person per year in 2030 (25% below 2016 per
capita VMT levels) and to 5,625 miles per person
per year in 2045 (34% below 2016 per capita
VMT levels) between measure TR-1 and TR-2
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 13,509 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 30,557 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 101
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-1.1: Implement the 2016 Bicycle Master
Plan by constructing a comprehensive,
connected network of safe and accessible
(low-stress) bikeways, on- and off-street,
within and across neighborhoods totaling
40 miles of bike lanes, 48 miles of bike
routes, 40 miles of buffered bike lanes, 18
miles of separated bikeways, and 127 miles
of shared-used paths.
• Public Works • None Phase
1 273 collective
miles of active
transportation
lanes/paths
constructed
TR-1.2: Implement the improvements
in the 2006 Pedestrian Master Plan
by providing a connected, safe and
accessible (low-stress) pedestrian network,
prioritized based on High Injury Network
(crash data), school access, equity and
community needs. Low-stress pedestrian
network includes crossings, sidewalks, and
other paths.
• Public Works • None Phase
1 Pedestrian
Master Plan
improvements
implemented
TR-1.3: Complete and adopt the Streets for
People: Active Transportation Plan, which
will consolidate the Bicycle Master Plan and
Pedestrian Master plan and identify the
physical barriers to active transportation,
including network gaps and other
issues affecting pedestrian and bicyclist
safety, by 2025.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• Public Works -
Engineering
Services
Phase
2 Active
transportation
barriers
removed and
documented
TR-1.4: Conduct a study to identify
educational barriers and provide education
and outreach to the community on active
transportation options in the City including
a travel training program and incentivize
a spectrum of transportation options that
includes public and private shared and
active services.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• None Phase
2 Education
and outreach
conducted and
documented
102 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-1.5: Identify and secure ongoing
funding for and then implement active
transportation programs (open streets, pilot
projects, classes, etc.).
• Public Works -
Transportation
• None Phase
1 Funding
identified
TR-1.6: Assess opportunities to support
public and private partnerships that provide
incentives for residents to purchase e-bikes.
• Public WorksTransportation• Office of
Climate
Action &
Sustainability
• Community
Development
Department
Phase
2 Assessment
completed
TR-1.7: Assess opportunities to develop or
support Safe Routes to School programming.
• Public WorksTransportation• None Phase
2 Assessment
completed
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 103
MEASURE TR-2: Support Public Transit
Improvements to Achieve 11% Public Transit Mode
Share by 2030 and Maintain Through 2045
13. See Appendix C for more information on case studies and other substantial evidence.
Moving trips from single-occupancy vehicles to public transit (trains and buses) is the CAAP’s second priority method for reducing
VMT and getting to carbon-neutral. To do this,
the City will work with its partners, including the Sacramento Regional Transportation District (SacRT) to expand service lines and
increase the convenience of public transit by
reducing the time it takes to reach a destination via public transit as well as reducing wait times (headways) for public transit. The City
of Sacramento’s role does not involve providing transit services, so many of the actions to implement this measure involve supporting
SacRT. The City can work collaboratively with
SacRT to develop the infrastructure needed
to support public transit including dedicated
public transit lanes, signal timing equipment,
and more. The City notes that substantial financial resources are needed to implement and achieve the goals of TR-2. Obtaining funding for
this measure will be a priority for the City under
this CAAP. This measure also prioritizes setting
parking maximums and managing curb space
more effectively to reduce single-occupancy
vehicles and prioritize public transit, as well as
continuing to support other shared transportation services like electric car sharing and shared bikes and scooters.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends prioritizing
the expansion and improvement of public
transit and shared transportation services
as the second step to reducing transportation emissions in Sacramento, aligning with measure TR-2. Recommendations include
shifting 30 percent of all trips to public transit
and shared transportation by 2030 and 50
percent by 2045. As a qualified GHG reduction
plan, this CAAP must provide evidence that
measures are achievable and supported by
evidence, including reports, case studies, and
peer-reviewed research. Planning for at least
an 11 percent transit mode share by 2030 is
an evidence-based goal that the City considers achievable given current understanding of transit behaviors in Sacramento and comparable case studies, given that sufficient funding can be obtained to implement the necessary
infrastructure.13 Changes in public transit technology and new programs over the next 10 to 20 years will provide new opportunities and
resources. Recommendations from The Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change Final Report
also include making active transportation
and public transit more accessible, affordable,
timely, and attractive to help shift behavior.
These specific improvements align with actions
104 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation TR-2.3, TR-2.4, TR-2.8, and TR-2.11. Action TR-2.6 also aligns directly with the Mayors’ Commission recommendation to expand free or affordable ZEV carshare programs, such as Our Community CarShare.
Over time, new technologies, State legislation, and funding will allow Sacramento to continue to push towards higher rates of public transit and shared transportation.
14. This refers to parking ratios for new construction
Key Performance Indicators
A. Implement new parking minimums and maximums by 202414 B. Collaborate with SacRT to achieve an 11% transit mode share by 2030 and maintain this through 2045 C. Continue to achieve at least 2 million miles taken by shared transportation D. Collectively reduce passenger VMT to 6,393 miles per person per year in 2030 (25% below 2016 per capita VMT levels) and to 5,625 miles per person per year in 2045 (34% below 2016 per capita VMT levels) between measure TR-1 and TR-2
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030:106,035 MT CO2
e
• 2045:122,371 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 105
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-2.1: Update and implement
the City’s Transportation System
Management Plan (TSMP) ordinance
to shift travel behavior away from the
single-occupancy vehicle.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• None Phase 2 TSMP ordinance
updated and
implemented
TR-2.2: Eliminate parking minimums
Citywide, develop parking maximums
and require parking management and
transportation demand management
plans for all areas of the City based on
available transportation options, travel
patterns, and land use.
• Community
Development
Department
• Public Works -
Parking
• Public Works -
Transportation
Phase 1 Parking
maximums
developed and
implemented
TR-2.3: Encourage SacRT to provide
frequent, reliable transit in the City’s
priority corridors to reduce VMT and
support SacRT in implementing priority
transit corridors. Coordinate transit
priority corridors with consideration of
transportation needs as well as land use
planning to provide transit-supportive
land uses. Encourage the expansion
of frequent, reliable transit services
throughout the City.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• SacRT
• Community
Development -
Planning
Phase 1 Transit
headways and
VMT reduced
TR-2.4: Collaborate with SacRT in
planning and implementing increased
transit services with reduced headways
and expanded service lines to
support an 11% public transit mode
share by 2030.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• SacRT
• Community
Development -
Planning
Phase 1 11% public
transportation
mode share by
2030
TR-2.5: Work with SacRT to identify
changes to signals and other
technological enhancements for
transit prioritization and faster transit
travel times.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• SacRT Phase 2 New
technology
implemented
106 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-2.6: Continue to support electric
car sharing options to offset at least
1 million VMT per year in the City of
Sacramento through 2030, with focused
effort to support access to car sharing
services for low-income households.
• Public Works • Community
Development -
Planning
Phase 1 Electric car
share programs
expanded
TR-2.7: Continue to support shared
rideables (bikes and scooters) to enable
a reduction of 1 million VMT per year.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• None Phase 1 Shared rideable
programs
expanded
TR-2.8: Support SacRT efforts to secure
funding to support improved service/
communications such as interactive
service maps, app payments, and real
time arrival info.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• SacRT
• None Phase 1 New
technology
implemented
TR-2.9: Continue to implement and
improve curbside management
strategies to better manage and price
curb space, manage transportation
network companies (TNC) and prepare
for autonomous vehicles.
• Public Works -
Parking
Services
• Public Works -
Transportation
Phase 1 VMT reduced
TR-2.10: Remove barriers to access
transit stops and stations (provide
low-stress connectivity) and provide
enhanced, comfortable stops
and stations.
• Public Works • SacRT Phase 1 VMT reduced
TR-2.11: Implement the City’s adopted
plans including modal/Citywide plans
and corridor/area plans (such as the
Bicycle Master Plan, Broadway Complete
Streets, and 65th Street Area Plan).
• Public Works -
Transportation,
Engineering
Services, and
Entitlements
• None Phase 1 % of each plan’s
infrastructure
built out
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 107
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-2.12: Identify an Employee
Transportation Coordinator and
establish an employee commute
program for City staff that includes
provisions for telecommuting and
encourage other public and private
agencies located within the City to do
the same using requirements and/or
incentives.
• Human
Resources
• None Phase 2 Employee
commute
program with
telecommuting
options
established
TR-2.13: Investigate and lobby for the
development of a TNC user tax which
would put a small fee on the use of Uber,
Lyft, and others and generate funds
to pay for transit and transportation
infrastructure and related programs.
• Public Works -
Transportation
• City Manager’s
Office
• None Phase 1 User tax or fee
investigation
completed
108 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation MEASURE TR-3: Achieve Zero-Emission Vehicle
(ZEV) Adoption Rates of 28% for Passenger
Vehicles and 22% for Commercial Vehicles by
2030 and 100% for all Vehicles by 2045
Getting to carbon-neutral requires reducing
GHG emissions from remaining car trips while
achieving mode shifts to active transportation,
shared transportation, and public transit. EVs
are proven technology for reducing on-road
emissions and, when coupled with carbon-free
electricity (i.e., Measure E-1), can reduce these
vehicle emissions to zero. The City also sees
hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and plug-in hybrids
as potential alternatives to EVs and therefore
refers to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) in this
CAAP. California has a goal of putting 5 million
ZEVs on the road by 2030, approximately onethird of the State’s vehicles. Sacramento’s goals align with the State’s and measure TR-3 provides the necessary infrastructure to support a 28 percent ZEV registration rate by 2030,
with a long-term target of 100 percent ZEVregistration rate by 2045. While the City cannot require residents to buy and use ZEVs, the City
will take actions to incentivize this behavioral
change and support this level of ZEV adoption
through added ZEV infrastructure, engagement, and programs. The City’s primary target to achieve this measure is to provide one public
EV charger for every 20 EVs and to continue
to remain one of the nation’s leading cities for
provision of public charging infrastructure,
achieved primarily through Actions TR-3.1,
TR-3.2, and TR-3.3. The need for charging infrastructure may change over time depending on new technologies such as smart chargers,
battery technology, and trends in personal ZEV
adoption. Actions like TR-3.6, TR-3.7, TR-3.9,
and TR-3.10 lower existing barriers to ZEV
adoption by streamlining associated permit
processes, establishing use fees to improve
turnover rates at public City chargers, working
with employers to improve at-work charging
opportunities across the City, and educating
the public about ZEV benefits and costs. The
City will continue to monitor the most recent
research on EV infrastructure needs and update
long-term goals as necessary (Action TR-3.12).
Measure, and actions TR-3.4, TR-3.5, TR-3.11 will
provide low-income communities with more
equitable access to and education about ZEV
programs and chargers by expanding car share
and charger infrastructure in low income and
under-resourced communities.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change prioritizes development
of a comprehensive package of incentives,
disincentives, and policies to promote the
adoption of ZEVs as the third step to reducing transportation emissions in Sacramento, aligning with measure TR-3. Recommendations
include shifting 70 percent of new vehicle registrations to ZEVs by 2030, and electrifying all public, private, and shared fleets by 2045. This
CAAP recognizes that while these ambitious
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 109
goals may be supported by advances in technologies over the next 10 to 20 years, planning for at least 28 percent ZEV registration by 2030 is an evidence-based goal that the City
considers achievable given current levels of
ZEV adoption in Sacramento. This phasing is
also consistent with the Governor Newsom’s
Executive Order N-79-20, establishing the
State’s goal for 100 percent of in-state new
car sales to be zero-emission by 2035 and 100
percent of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045.15 While measure TR-3 does not include a goal to electrify all public, private,
and shared fleets by 2045, Actions TR-3.9 and
TR-3.11 begin to address this recommendation,
while information gathered and further State
action during implementation of the CAAP is
15. Executive Department State of California. Executive Order N-79-20. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/9.23.20-EO-N-79-20-Climate.pdf
16. Note that the number of installed public EV chargers established as a key performance indicator in 2030 and 2045 for this measure was calculated based on forecasted population and car registration data in 2030 and 2045 and may not reflect the actual number of chargers needed to establish the City’s goal of one EV charger to every 20 ZEVs in Sacramento. expected to facilitate more aggressive goals in
this direction. Action TR-3.4 also aligns directly
with the recommendation to expand free or
affordable ZEV carshare programs such as Our
Community CarShare.
Key Performance Indicators
A. 11% of all vehicles are ZEV and 3,230 public EV
chargers in Sacramento by 202516
B. 28% of all vehicles are ZEV and 8,150 public EV
chargers in Sacramento by 2030
C. 100% of all vehicles are ZEV by 2045
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 212,451 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 1,137,071 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
110 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-3.1: Consider amending the City
Building Code to require increased
EV charging standards for new
development. Consider amending
the Planning and Development
Code to further incentivize
charging in both existing and new
developments.
• Community
Development -
Planning
and Code
Compliance
• None Complete City Building Code
amended
TR-3.2: Continue to support
a variety of public and public/
private partnerships to provide
more publicly accessible chargers
throughout the City, prioritizing
lower-income and disadvantaged
communities. Examples include
public/private partnerships on
private property (Electrify America),
public/private partnerships on
public property (EVgo), and public
investment (SMUD).
• Public Works • None Phase 1 EV chargers
installed
TR-3.3: Continue to install and
provide EV charger access at Cityowned facilities and parking garages. • Public Works • Community
Development
Department
• Electrify
America
• EVgo
• SMUD
Phase 1 EV chargers
installed
TR-3.4: Pursue affordable, zeroemission car share expansions to serve affordable housing, such as
the Sacramento Metropolitan Air
District’s Our Community Carshare
program to more locations,
contingent on funding.
• Public Works
• Sacramento
Metropolitan
Air Quality
District
• Our
Community
Carshare
• None Phase 1 Electric car
share programs
expanded
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation 111
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-3.5: Collaborate on mobility
hub pilot efforts, in partnership
with other agencies and local
groups, with special consideration
for proximity to low-income/
disadvantaged communities
and multifamily housing, and
encourage a range of zero-emission
technologies, including EV and
hydrogen infrastructure.
• Public Works • UC Davis
• Green Tech
• Private
developers
of large
multifamily
housing
Phase 1 Mobility hub
piloted
TR-3.6: Continue to maintain a
highly streamlined EV infrastructure
permit process.
• Community
Development
Department -
Building
Division
• None Phase 1 Streamlined EV
infrastructure
permit process
TR-3.7: Develop and implement a
fee for use of City-owned parking
facilities and EV chargers to promote
more efficient use and turnover and
increase EV availability for people
who really need it, including those
without access to home charging.
• Public Works • None Phase 1 Use fee
implemented
TR-3.8: Work and collaborate with
major employers including the
State of California and Sacramento
County to promote ZEV adoption,
programs, and improvements to ZEV
infrastructure.
• Public Works
• State of
California
• Sacramento
County
• None Phase 1 ZEV registration
increase
TR-3.9: Continue to provide
information and education about
currently available incentives for
expansion of Level II chargers on
private property.
• Community
Development -
Planning
• None Phase 1 Information or
materials provided
112 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Transportation Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
TR-3.10: Coordinate with
community-based organizations,
agencies, and non-profits to conduct
EV education events which would
include information on costs/
benefits of owning EVs, steps on how
to receive incentives for EV chargers,
as well as other benefits. Events will
be equitably distributed across the
City, focusing on disadvantaged
communities.
• Public Works
• Community
Development -
Planning
• None Phase 1 EV education
events conducted
TR-3.11: Because zero-emission
technology is improving/
changing at a rapid pace, continue
to monitor, test, and adapt to
new and emerging zero-emission
technologies and solutions.
• Public Works
• Community
Development
– Planning
• Office of
Climate
Action &
Sustainability
Phase 1 CAAP and ZEV
adoption progress
report and
recommendations
to City Council
TR-3.12: Assess opportunities to
increase public access to curbside
charging, with guidance for
appropriate types and charging
scenarios.
• Public Works • Community
Development
Department
Phase 2 Assessment
completed
TR-3.13: Support regional
heavy-duty fleet decarbonization
with agency and private partnerships
and planning efforts, joint fuel
and infrastructure procurement,
innovative public-private initiatives
such as the California Mobility Center,
and the continued streamlining of
infrastructure development.
• Public Works • Community
Development
Department
Phase 2 Projects supported
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
WASTE
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Waste113
114 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Waste
MEASURE W-1: Work to Reduce Organic Waste
Disposal 75% Below 2014 Levels by 2025
17. Waste diversion consists of sending waste through a regenerative process, such as recycling or composting, so that it does not end up in the landfill.
18. Food recovery consists of capturing edible food before it enters the waste stream and instead sending it to local community organizations, like food banks, so that it is used and eaten instead of being thrown away.
19. See https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/jurisdictions/ Carbon neutrality will require the elimination
of methane process emissions from landfilled
waste. The majority of these GHG emissions
result from organic waste in the landfill that
could be otherwise composted, otherwise
diverted,17 or recovered18 for reduced emissions. To drive these reductions in Sacramento, the City plans to align its waste reduction
efforts with SB 1383. In 2016, the State of
California adopted SB 1383, a landmark waste
mandate that requires the State to reduce
organic waste disposal 75 percent below
2014 levels by 2025, or by about 20 million
tons annually. The law also requires the State
to increase edible food recovery 20 percent
by 2025. CalRecycle describes the requirements19 for local governments in meeting these targets as follows:
• Provide organic waste collection to
all residents and businesses
• Establish an edible food recovery program that
recovers edible food from the waste stream
• Conduct outreach and education to affected
parties, including generators, haulers,
facilities, edible food recovery organizations, and city/county departments • Conduct capacity planning and evaluate
City’s readiness to implement SB 1383
• Procure recycled organic waste
products like compost, mulch, and
renewable natural gas (RNG)
• Inspect and enforce compliance with SB 1383
• Maintain accurate and timely
records of SB 1383 compliance
Actions W-1.1 through W-1.10 establish citywide programs, capacity planning, education and outreach programs, and food recovery
programs. As the measure is implemented
and more information becomes available
through Actions W-1.2 and W-1.3, the City will
establish additional plans and strategies for
achieving SB 1383.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Waste
115
LOCAL FOOD PLANNING:
In June 2021, Sacramento was identified as one of 13 communities selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP), which supports Sacramento and its partners – Alchemist Community Development Corporation, Planting Justice, and the Sacramento Food Policy Council – in developing Food Anchored Resiliency Hubs in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The hubs will provide training to prepare and sell locally-sourced food, demonstrate sustainable materials, and provide training, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. An additional $2 million dollars was obtained to support the City Tree Nursery Food Anchored Resiliency Hub in Mangan Park.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends supporting
a regenerative food system by sourcing 25
percent of food locally within a 200-mile radius
by 2030 and 40 percent by 2045 and reducing
50 percent of aggregate food waste by 2025
and 75 percent by 2030. While the City has
limited jurisdiction over food system sourcing
and has not addressed this directly in the CAAP,
measure W-1 exceeds the goals to reduce food
waste in 2025 and 2030, to demonstrate consistency with SB 1383. Recommendations also include establishing a food recovery to food
security network with restaurants, catering
companies, banks, grocery stores, local food
backs, and community food hubs, which aligns
directly with Action W-1.8.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Compliance with SB 1383 requirements by
2025
B. Compost or otherwise divert organic waste
to assist the State in meeting its goal to divert
75% of organic waste statewide in 2025 relative
to 2014
C. Implement an edible food recovery ordinance
by 2025
D. Prepare an edible food recovery capacity plan
by 2025
E. Maintain or improve these metrics through
2030
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 134,991 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 160,897 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
116 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Waste
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
W-1.1: Implement the requirements
of SB 1383 (2016) to assist the State
in meeting its goal to compost or
otherwise divert 75% of organic waste
statewide compared to 2014 levels by:
• Providing organic waste collection
to all residents and businesses.
• Establishing an edible food recovery
program that recovers edible
food from the waste stream and
redistributes the food to local
community organizations to be
used or eaten.
• Conducting outreach and education
to affected parties, including
generators, haulers, facilities, edible
food recovery organizations, and
city departments.
• Conducting capacity planning
and evaluate your jurisdiction’s
readiness to implement SB 1383.
• Procuring organic waste products
like compost, mulch, and RNG.
• Inspecting and enforcing
compliance with SB 1383.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• Finance -
Procurement
• None Phase
1 Implement SB 1383
requirements
W-1.2: Work with regional partners
(other municipalities) and the
private sector to assess the feasibility
of siting long term organics
processing facilities in or near
Sacramento County
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• Sacramento
County
• None Phase
1 Feasibility assessment
complete and
recommendations or plan
developed
W-1.3: Continue to provide backyard
compost education and reduced-cost
compost bins as well as kitchen-top
food waste containers to participating
residents.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• None Phase
1 Backyard compost
education events
conducted
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Waste
117
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
W-1.4: Continue to provide a
food waste diversion program for
residential customers.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• None Phase
1 Food waste diversion
program
W-1.5: Continue to enforce
commercial waste code which
requires businesses, including
multi-unit residential developments
of 5+ units, to subscribe to organics
recycling collection service
through the City’s franchised
commercial haulers.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• None Phase
1 Organics recycling
collected
W-1.6: Serve as a regional
partner in the development and
implementation of an edible food
recovery program which connects
commercial edible food generators
with local food banks, to assist the
State in meeting its SB 1383 goal to
recover at least 20% of the edible
food that is currently disposed of for
human consumption.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• None Phase
1 Implement ordinance,
prepare a Capacity Plan,
start the program and
track progress by 2025
W-1.7: Explore the feasibility of
capital improvement projects for
reducing organics in the waste
stream, such as organics extraction
presses and anaerobic digesters.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• None Phase
1 Feasibility assessment
conducted and
recommendations made
W-1.8: Consider adopting, if needed,
an ordinance that aligns with AB
827, the state law that requires most
restaurants to have front-of-house
composting.
• Public Works -
Recycling and
Solid Waste
• None Phase
2 Feasibility assessment
conducted and
recommendations made
WATER AND WASTEWATER
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
11806. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Water and Wastewater
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Water and Wastewater 119
MEASURE WW-1: Reduce Water Utility Emissions
(in MT CO2e per Million Gallon Delivered) by 100%
by 2030 and Maintain that Through 2045
20. Although the SMUD 2030 Plan will aim to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, the reductions associated with water were not included in measure E-1’s GHG reduction quantification and are instead attributed here for consistency with the inventory and forecast’s categorization of GHG emissions.
Emissions from water use are 100 percent
attributable to electricity usage to convey and
treat the water. The primary way to reduce
these emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in the water sector is to reduce the emissions associated with the electricity used. By 2030, the water utility will procure 100 percent
carbon-free electricity and reduce GHG emissions on a per acre-foot basis to zero (Action WW-1.1). Additional supportive measures such
as water conservation, greywater, and stormwater management will further this goal and reduce the amount of electricity needed by
reducing overall water demand as the City continues to grow.20 Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change does not provide recommendations for the water or wastewater sector.
However, measure WW-1 aligns with the recommendation to improve adaptation and resiliency in Sacramento by working to reduce
overall water demand, lessening potential
future impacts and severity of drought in the
region and protecting local water resources in
the longer term.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Utilize carbon-free power for 100 percent of
water utility electricity demands by 2030
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 6,296 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 0 MT CO2
e
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
120 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Water and Wastewater Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
WW-1.1: Reduce GHG emissions associated
with the water utility by procuring 100%
carbon-free electricity by 2030.
• Utilities • None Phase
2 Achieve 100%
carbon-free
electricity for water
utility use
WW-1.2: Investigate the feasibility of allowing
on-site non potable treatment and distributed
water resources in new development.
• Utilities • Community
Development
Phase
1 Complete
WW-1.3: Continue to implement the Model
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance each year.
• CDD
• Utilities
• YPCE
• None Phase
1 None
WW-1.4: Continue to require the use of low
impact development (LID) strategies for new
construction and development.
• Utilities • None Phase
1 None
WW-1.5: Continue to investigate the
landscaping/irrigation use of nonpotable reclaimed water from regional sanitation at parks.
• Utilities • YPCE Phase
1 Conduct a pilot
and pursue
funding for
implementation
WW-1.6: Increase the use of renewable energy
and storage to reduce GHG emissions and
increase resiliency for critical infrastructure.
• Utilities • None Phase
2 MWh of renewable
energy and MWh
of installed storage
WW-1.7: Continue to encourage efficient
water use by residents and businesses through
expanded education, incentives and assistance
services in compliance with Assembly Bill 1668
and SB 606, which help reduce the City’s water
demand and related energy use.
• Utilities • None Phase
1 Per capita water
use
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Water and Wastewater 121
MEASURE WW-2: Reduce Wastewater
Emissions 22% by 2030 and 40% by 2045
21. RegionalSan. Sustainability & Innovation: Projects and green programs. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.sacsewer.com/sustainability/
Although GHG emissions from wastewater,
including wastewater treatment and stormwater management, are generated by the Sacramento community, operational control
of the wastewater treatment facility is covered
by the Sacramento Regional Sanitation
District (Regional San). This means the City
of Sacramento has no direct jurisdiction over
these emissions and limited capacity to align
activities in this sector with carbon neutrality. However, since the GHG emissions associated with wastewater are included in the GHG emissions inventory, several of Regional San’s
GHG-reducing activities are included here. The
GHG reductions associated with this measure
are the result of methane capture projects
being undertaken at Regional San facilities,
as well as new solar arrays which were not
taken into account in the forecast.21 The City
of Sacramento and SMUD will continue to
support Regional San in these and future partnerships to further reduce emissions from the wastewater sector.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change does not provide recommendations for the water or wastewater sector.
However, measure WW-2 aligns with the recommendation to improve adaptation and resiliency in Sacramento by working to provide
new sources of energy through biogas recovery
(WW-2.1) and added solar (WW-2.3).
Key Performance Indicators
• None – projects to reduce wastewater emissions
were completed before release of the CAAP
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 5,495 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 11,517 MT CO2
e
122 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Water and Wastewater Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
WW-2.1: Regional San implements biogas
recovery and improvement projects.
• Regional San • None Complete None (completed)
WW-2.2: GHG Emissions Reductions from
SB 100 implementation by Regional San.
• Regional San • None Complete None (completed)
WW-2.3: Regional San implements solar PV
generation project.
• Regional San • None Complete None (completed)
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
Photo by Carlos Eliason
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Carbon Sequestration123 124 06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Carbon Sequestration MEASURE CS-1: Increase Urban Tree Canopy
Cover to 25% by 2030 and 35% by 2045
Carbon sequestration is the process by which
carbon is taken out of the atmosphere and
sequestered in soil, vegetation, or manmade structures. This measure provides GHG reduction through the carbon sequestration
achieved by the urban canopy. A City’s tree
canopy can capture carbon through photosynthesis, whereby trees and other green plants pull CO2 out of the atmosphere, use the carbon
to grow, and release oxygen. Currently, tree
canopy covers 19 percent of Sacramento’s land
surface area. Increasing this to 25 percent by
2030 will increase the carbon sequestration
potential of the City, contribute to Sacramento’s
carbon neutrality goals, reduce the urban heat
island effect, decrease water runoff, improve
water and soil quality, and improve the
City’s livability.
About 10 percent of trees in the city are in
public parks and along streets, the remaining
90 percent of the trees in the City are located
on private property or on property owned
by other agencies (e.g., state-owned land).
The costs for maintenance and drought concerns are potential barriers to tree planting, particularly for those with lower incomes. In
addition, preserving and incorporating shade
trees in connection with higher density development will be necessary to achieve this goal.
Additional funding, land use regulations, and
new incentive programs will be needed to
reach these targets.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The final report from the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change recommends expanding
green infrastructure to ensure that all neighborhoods have access to green space within
0.25 mile by 2030 and a baseline canopy of 25
percent by 2030 and 35 percent by 2045. While
this measure does not address access to green
space (this is instead addressed in the General
Plan Update), measure CS-1 meets the recommended canopy cover goals. This measure also contributes to increased resilience in
Sacramento by increasing the shade potential
during heat waves and lowering the energy
needs of houses to stay cool, another recommendation from the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change Final Report.
Key Performance Indicators
A. Achieve 25% urban tree canopy cover by 2030
consistent with the Urban Forest Plan
B. Achieve 35% urban tree canopy cover by 2045
Expected GHG Offsets
• 2030: 23,053 MT CO2
e (sequestered)
• 2045: 61,474 MT CO2
e (sequestered)
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
06. GHG-reduction Measures and Actions > Carbon Sequestration 125
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings
Adaptation Job
Creation
Environmental
Quality
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support Phase Performance
Indicator
CS-1.1: Implement the Urban Forest Plan
and Parks Plan 2040 with a goal to achieve
25% urban canopy cover by 2030 and 35%
by 2045. Prioritize tree planting and tree
maintenance in areas with the lowest average
tree canopy cover and explore strategies
to reduce barriers to tree planting in
disadvantaged areas and improve tree health.
• Public
Works -
Urban
Forestry
• Community
Development
• YPCE
Phase 2 25% urban tree
canopy cover
by 2030 and
35% by 2045
CS-1.2: Utilize compost and mulch for
application to City-owned trees and planters
to increase the carbon sequestration
potential of tree plantings.
• Public
Works -
Urban
Forestry
• YPCE
• None Phase 1 Compost
and mulch
procured and
applied to Cityowned trees
and planters
CS-1.3: Develop online educational materials
about native tree species and species that are
adapted to Sacramento’s climate and resilient
to drought and climate change.
• Public
Works
• None Phase 1 Develop flier/
education
material
CS-1.4: Continue to support the SMUD/
Sacramento Tree Foundation program which
provides free shade trees for residents and
businesses and support increased plantings
on private property in areas that are
under-canopied through new partnerships
and programs.
• Public
Works
• None Phase 1 None
126
127
ADAPTATION
Building Resilience
Consistent with California Government Code
section 65302(g), this chapter describes the key
climate change vulnerabilities in Sacramento,
outlines the City’s adaptation strategy to
address these vulnerabilities, and presents the
goals, policies, and actions that the City will
take to strengthen its adaptive capacity.
Global and regional climate change will
increase the frequency and severity of extreme
heat events, urban heat island effect, flooding,
droughts, and wildfires that will both individually and collectively have increasing impacts on the public, as well as on Sacramento’s
infrastructure and critical services. While
comprehensive, coordinated actions to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can help
mitigate the extent of these impacts over the
long term, additional actions must be taken to
address the people, places, and infrastructure
most at risk and to leverage other opportunities to effectively and equitably build climate resilience in Sacramento’s communities.
Climate change adaptation is the process of
adjusting to current or anticipated effects
of climate change to protect public health
and safety. The coordinated efforts of State,
regional, and local agencies and organizations contribute to a climate change readiness landscape that defines adaptive capacity in
Sacramento. Recent efforts, such as studies on
urban heat, anticipated changes in snowpack,
and the benefit of tree canopy in Sacramento,
SECTION
07. 128 07. Adaptation >
can inform the City on ways to bolster its existing adaptive capacity. Likewise, partnership with local organizations can leverage opportunities to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities and help achieve equitable environmental and health outcomes.
For more information about climate change
impacts, vulnerability, and existing adaptive
capacity in the City of Sacramento, see the
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
in Appendix G.
Climate Change
Vulnerability
Although climate change largely occurs on a
regional and global scale, the effects can be felt
more acutely in certain locations and by certain
segments of the population. For example,
Sacramento has historically been vulnerable
to direct riverine flooding impacts, and this
vulnerability would be expected to increase
absent adaptive measures. An increase in the
area burned by wildfires is not an immediate
threat to the City of Sacramento, but the concentration of air pollution from wildfire smoke will especially impact individuals with preexisting health conditions such as asthma and people who spend a lot of time outdoors such
as construction workers and homeless populations. Reducing vulnerability to climate change effects is an opportunity to advance sustainability and equity in Sacramento by implementing mitigations and providing resources to the people and places that are hit first and
worst. Ultimately, integrating adaptive measures into future City actions can strengthen overall community resilience and provide for a
more sustainable future.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
IN SACRAMENTO
The preeminent climate impacts in California
include higher temperatures, sea level rise,
reduced snowpack, changes in precipitation
patterns including heavier precipitation events,
increased droughts, and more wildfires. While
not all of these occur within Sacramento, the
impacts of these changes can affect the city’s
residents through secondary climate change
effects such as flooding and air pollution.
This section summarizes the level of risk that
climate change impacts pose to Sacramento.
The City has undertaken a comprehensive
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
(attached as Appendix G) that evaluates the
nature and extent of the climate change effects
that impact Sacramento, particularly for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in the city. This study is based on scientific best
practices, recent related efforts, and State
guidelines. The primary data source for the
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment is
Cal-Adapt, a tool developed by the Geospatial
Innovation Facility (GIF) at the University of
California, Berkeley under the direction of the
California Energy Commission (CEC). GIF and
CEC released Cal-Adapt to the public in 2011,
and it has since served as a tool that synthesizes existing California climate change scenarios and climate impact research and benefits local decision-makers. Climate data available
from Cal-Adapt cover the major climate change
effects in California, including changes in temperature, precipitation, snowpack, sea level rise, and wildfire. Inherently, climate changes refer
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation >
129
to shifts in climatic patterns rather than a comparison of specific points in time. As such, these topics are compared across 30-year periods
representing the historic baseline (1961-1990),
mid-century (2035-2064), and end-of-century
(2070-2099) to track how climate change has
affected each of these areas since the time
when the majority of California’s critical infrastructure was developed and when anthropogenic climate change signals were beginning to be felt. Studying these trends and potential
outcomes helps the City to design policies and
take actions now to move toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
It should be noted that many of these impacts
are interrelated; for example, rising temperatures affect the hydrological cycle, which results in changes in precipitation patterns.
Both of these, in turn, can contribute to
reduction in snowpack. Smaller masses of
snowpack melt earlier in the year leading to
greater runoff earlier in the year. Coupled with
storm events, this amount of increased runoff
can exacerbate flood risks (see Figure 7-1).
Moreover, flood management requirements
may necessitate releasing water from reservoirs to create storage to mitigate flood risk.
This can reduce water supply later in the year,
particularly during dry periods. The complexity
of these concerns makes understanding the
nature of climate change impacts that affect
Sacramento—and tackling the root cause by
reducing greenhouse gas emissions—a critical priority.
Figure 7-1. Monthly Average Unimpaired Inflows to Folsom Reservoir Projected timing of inflows to Folsom Reservoir under future climate change conditions compared to historical conditions (under the median range of projected change in precipitation and temperature).
Source: Adapted from Figure ES.4 of the American River Basin Study, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 130 07. Adaptation >
Temperature Increase
Secondary Impacts
• More frequent, extreme, and
longer heat waves
• Exacerbated urban heat island effect
• Increased warm nights
• Higher source water temperature
• Negative impacts to air quality
Temporal Extent
Moderate. Effects will be most extreme in July
and August, but may be felt anytime between
May and October.
Spatial Extent
High. Effects will be felt throughout the City,
but will be most extreme in and around urban
heat islands.
Permanence
High. The most extreme effects will be seasonal, but average ambient temperatures will increase steadily over the century.
Level of Disruption
High. Increased strain and potential physical
damage to energy, utility, and transportation
infrastructure from extreme heat; risk of blackouts; and heat-related illness/death. Higher source water temperature create a need for
additional water treatment technologies.
Level of Uncertainty
Low.
Precipitation Changes
Secondary Impacts
• Winter precipitation shift – more as
rain, less as snow
• Reduced snowpack
• More extreme storm events
• Increased runoff and flood risk
• Increased drought conditions
• Decreased regional water supply
Temporal Extent
High. Increased likelihood of riverine flooding in winter/early spring. Reduced surface water supply in summer due to reductions in
winter snowpack.
Spatial Extent
High. Nearly all of the city is low-lying and
dependent on levee protection, but areas
already susceptible to localized, riverine, and
flash flooding and/or with limited stormwater infrastructure will be most affected by increased winter rain and flows. Drought will
affect most areas and increase demand for
groundwater use.
Permanence
High. The most extreme effects will be seasonal, with continued changes expected over the century.
Level of Disruption
High. A large storm could cause significant
health and infrastructure impacts, including loss of life and property, over potentially large portions of the City. Increased water
temperature is harmful to water treatment,
reservoir and hydroelectric operation, and
ecological health.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation >
131
Level of Uncertainty
Moderate. While impacts vary year to year,
climate change is increasing the likelihood of
a storm event capable of significant flooding;
drought frequency is projected to increase
in California.
Wildfire
Secondary Impacts
• Declines in air quality
• Soil erosion and water quality impacts
Temporal Extent
Moderate. Projected wildfire extent/severity
is highly variable but will generally increase
over the century. Future fire seasons may
become longer.
Spatial Extent
High. A wildfire is unlikely to break out within
City limits, but wildfire smoke will affect the
entire city.
Permanence
Moderate. Wildfire intensity is expected to
gradually increase, with significant year-toyear variability.
Level of Disruption
Moderate. The wildfire impact most likely to
have a significant impact on the city is air pollution from wildfire smoke.
Level of Uncertainty
Moderate.
Sea Level Rise
Secondary Impacts
• Higher river levels during major storm events
Temporal Extent
Low. Sea level rise is projected to occur gradually over the course of the century Spatial Extent
Moderate. Areas within or near the Delta are
most at risk.
Permanence
High. May exacerbate flood risk associated
with major storm events in the longer term.
Level of Disruption
Low. Effects may be significant when coinciding with riverine or flash flooding.
Level of Uncertainty
Moderate.
Flooding Along the American River
132 07. Adaptation >
VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS
Certain populations are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and may require additional interventions to increase
adaptive capacity. These include:
• Children under 15 years old have physiological characteristics and lifestyles that make them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change. For example, increased time
spent outdoors, especially for student athletes,
can expose children to high temperatures and
smoke from wildfires, potentially resulting in
heat- and air-pollution-related illness or mortality. In addition, rapid lung development generally occurs from the ages of 10 to 18, and children’s exposure to air pollution during this stage can lead to significant, adverse, and chronic
effects on lung function.1 In Sacramento, about
19.2 percent of the population is under 15 years
old, and about a third of this group (6.5 percent
of total population) is under the age of five.2
• Older adults ages 65 and older are a diverse
population whose potential vulnerability to
climate change is influenced by factors such
as underlying health status, economic situation, and social connectedness. Physiological susceptibility to extreme heat and air pollution make older adults vulnerable to climate change effects, while older adults with limited
mobility can be at greater risk during emergencies requiring evacuation. In addition, the financial burden of increased energy costs
(e.g., for air conditioning) can disproportionately impact those on fixed incomes.
1. W. James Gauderman, Edward Avol, Frank Gilliland, et al, “The Effect of Air Pollution on Lung Development from 10 to 18 Years of Age,” The New England Journal of Medicine 351, no. 11 (September 2004):1057-1067, https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa040610.
2. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S0101.
3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S1810. • Individuals with a disability may be more
vulnerable to climate change due to limitations that may impact their ability to access information about or respond to an emergency
event. About 11.8 percent of Sacramento’s
population has at least one disability3, many of
whom also fall under another category of vulnerable populations described in this section. • Individuals who are durable medical
equipment (DME) dependent may be more
vulnerable to climate change due to reliance
on electricity powered equipment such
as oxygen and related respiratory devices,
infusion/intravenous and feeding equipment,
and mobility assistive equipment. Power
outages caused by extreme heat or storm
events can render these types of equipment
inoperable and result in the need for backup
power and/or evacuation of this population.
• Black, Latino/a/x, Asian, Pacific Islander, and
Indigenous communities may be exposed to a
variety of factors that increase their vulnerability
to climate change due to structural racism, or
the social relations and practices that reinforce
white privilege in the urban environment and
economy. As a result, communities of color
are more likely than white residents to have
lower income, be in poorer physical health,
lack access to air-conditioning, live in areas
with sparse vegetation, and work outdoors. In
addition, communities of color are disproportionately impacted by poor air quality, due to both levels of exposure to air pollutants and
elevated rates of diseases including asthma
and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Sacramento is a racially diverse city consisting
City of Sacramento
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07. Adaptation >
133
of 32.0 percent white residents, 28.3 percent
Hispanic or Latinx residents, 19.0 percent
Asian residents, 12.3 percent Black or African
American residents, 1.6 percent Native Hawaiian
or Pacific Islander residents, and 0.3 percent
Native American. About 5.5 percent of residents
identified as belonging to two or more races
or a race not identified in the U.S. Census.4
• Low-Income people can be more vulnerable
to climate change due to pre-existing health
conditions, reduced mobility options, reduced
access to health care, housing instability and/
or substandard housing, and limited ability to
purchase goods and services that could mitigate
the negative effects of climate change. Poverty
is associated with societal exclusion, mental
illness, and increased likelihood of suffering
from chronic illnesses. Low-income individuals
and families are also more likely to work or live
in environments that expose them to pesticides,
lead, and outdoor air pollution. Additionally, in
the aftermath of an extreme climate event, lowincome households may also have difficulty covering home repair or relocation costs, perpetuating housing-related vulnerability. About 9.6 percent of Sacramento families live in poverty.5
• Outdoor workers have disproportionate
exposure to some effects of climate change
such as increased ambient temperature and
degraded air quality. Outdoor occupations
include landscapers, emergency responders,
utility repair crews and construction workers.
Some have low wages, little job security and
no health insurance or paid sick leave.
4. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table B03002.
5. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S1702.
6. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S2503.
7. California Energy Commission, 2019 California Residential Appliance Saturation Study (RASS) [Subset of Volume 2 banners - 2019 Results for Sacramento Municipal Utility District], last updated May 26, 2021, downloaded October 8, 2022 from:
https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/surveys/2019-residential-appliance-saturation-study • Cost-burdened households are those that
spend 30 percent or more of their household
income on housing costs, and households
that spend 50 percent or more are considered
severely cost-burdened. In Sacramento, the
median housing cost in 2021 was $1,558 per
month, while the median household income
is about $6,275 per month – of which 30
percent ($1,883) is only slightly above the
median housing cost. This corresponds with
about 40 percent of Sacramento households
being cost-burdened.6 Additional living costs,
including for energy, transportation, food, and
medical care further exacerbate financial burden
on cost-burdened households. Climate change
effects like extreme heat can increase energy
costs due to increased use of air conditioning.
Similarly, cost-burdened households may be
particularly vulnerable due to inability to pay for
adaptive housing upgrades such as energy-efficient appliances and water-efficient landscaping that could help reduce costs over time. • Renters are at an increased risk of climate
vulnerability because they have less control
than homeowners in making home upgrades to
reduce climate exposure or increase resilience.
For example, within the Sacramento Municipal
Utility District service area, 30.3 percent of
renters do not have central air conditioning
whereas only 11.5 percent of owners do not
have central air conditioning.7 Even among
renters with access, they are more likely than
homeowners to use window conditioning
units, which are less energy efficient and can
contribute to higher energy costs. In addition,
134 07. Adaptation >
a neighborhood’s proportion of renter-occupied housing units has been shown to be positively correlated with higher mortality
rates among the elderly during extreme heat
events.8 Rental housing, multifamily housing,
and subsidized housing are correlated with
higher neighborhood sensitivity to heat.
Thirty-one percent of Sacramento County’s subsidized housing units are in high-heat census tracts – one of the highest rates in California.9
About 50.2 percent (94,124) of Sacramento’s
housing units are renter-occupied.10
• People experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts due to elevated exposure to environmental stressors,
lack of secure shelter, and lack of access to
information in climate emergencies such as
extreme weather. Homeless communities are
often overlooked in disaster planning, have
limited access to emergency alert systems, and
often lack the legal standing to help ensure their
protection during emergencies. Sacramento
County’s Point in Time Count estimated 9,278
individuals experience homelessness in
Sacramento each night as of 2022, consisting of
79 percent of single adults over 25, 15 percent
in family units and 5 percent of unaccompanied
youth.11 There was a 67-percent increase in
nighttime homelessness between 2019 and
2022. Approximately 30 percent of individuals
sleeping outside in Sacramento County are over
8. Klein Rosenthal J, Kinney PL, Metzger KB. “Intra-urban vulnerability to heat-related mortality in New York Coty, 1997-2006.” Health & Place (2014). May 11 2020: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829214001087.
9. Gabbe CJ, Pierce G. “Extreme Heat Vulnerability of Subsidized Housing Residents in California.” Housing Policy Debate. (Jul 2020). July 27 2020: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2020.1768574
10. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S2502.
11. Baiocchi A, Curry S, Morris J, Newham J, Caler, K, et al. “Homelessness in Sacramento County: Results from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count.” (Sacramento, CA: Center for Health Practice, Policy & Research, California State University Sacramento and Sacramento Steps Forward, 2019). July 2022: http://sacramentostepsforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/PIT-Report-2022.pdf.
12. Ibid.
13. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S1601. the age of 55, and Black and American Indian
or Alaska Native people are disproportionately
represented in the homeless population.12
• Linguistically isolated households, in which
no members aged five years or older speak
English fluently, often experience limited
access to or understanding of health and safety
warnings and information during extreme
weather events or disasters. Linguistic isolation
may thus inhibit protective behaviors, and in
the aftermath of an extreme event can create
barriers to proper care and recovery services.
Language barriers can also contribute to vulnerability for new immigrants, older first-generation immigrants, asylum seekers, and young children.
Approximately 36.1 percent of Sacramento
residents speak a language other than English
at home, and 38.5 percent of these individuals
have limited English proficiency.13 In the City of
Sacramento, neighborhoods with high rates of
linguistic isolation show significant overlap with
neighborhoods high in poverty, residents with
disabilities, and substandard housing. While
a number of these neighborhoods are lowdensity or adjacent to industrial land uses, many linguistically isolated residents live downtown.
City of Sacramento
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135
CRITICAL FACILITIES
A critical facility is any facility whose damage or
disruption would result in severe consequences
to public health and safety or interrupt essential services for the community. Climate change has the potential to exacerbate impacts to critical facilities in Sacramento. These include:
• Water quality and supply, from both surface
water and groundwater sources, is essential
for the City to provide domestic water service
to the area within the city limits and to several
small areas within Sacramento County. The City
operates groundwater supply wells in addition
to drawing surface water from the American
River and Sacramento River. The City works
with multiple partner agencies to plan for and
manage groundwater and surface water. One
key effort that was completed in 2022 with
several agency partners was the American River
Basin Study,14 which developed data, tools, and
analysis to forecast potential impacts on water
supply and water quality. While major changes
in total precipitation within the American River
Basin are not anticipated, the study projects
that precipitation will be more likely to arrive
in the fall and early winter, with the percentage
of precipitation that will fall as rain projected
to increase, with a corresponding decrease in
precipitation falling as snow. This will lead to
reduced snowpack in the upper watershed,
increased runoff in fall and winter, increased
flood risk in the winter, and decreased flows
in the American River in summer and fall. The
study outlines six potential climate change
adaptation strategies for the American River
Basin, providing a roadmap to ensure water reliability into the future. The American River Basin
14. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, American River Basin Study: Interior Region 10 – California Great Basin, August 2022, https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp/completed.html
Study will also
inform the work of
the Regional Water
Authority (RWA),
a Joint Powers
Authority representing two dozen
water providers
and affiliates
in the greater
Sacramento
region, including
the City of
Sacramento, to serve, represent, and align
the interests of regional water providers and
stakeholders for the purpose of improving
water supply reliability, availability, quality,
and affordability. A key RWA program is the
Regional Water Bank, an innovative groundwater storage program that will improve regional water supply reliability into the future.
The Sacramento region’s unique setting at the
confluence of the American and Sacramento
Rivers, near Folsom Reservoir, and overlying
the North American and South American
groundwater subbasins, provides an ideal
location for development of a water bank.
• Water Treatment Facilities. Warmer source
water conditions can degrade the quality of
the water and may trigger conditions where
treatment technologies currently being
employed are inadequate to meet appropriate drinking water standards. Higher water temperatures are associated with increased
algal growth, sometimes even contributing
to blooms, in reservoirs such as Lake Natoma
and along slower-moving stretches and the
banks of river systems such as parts the lower
136 07. Adaptation >
American River. With this algal growth comes
a greater potential for the production of algal
cyanotoxins and, more germane to the City’s
situation, production of taste- and odorcausing algal byproducts like geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB). Over the years, City
staff have noted a direct correlation between
elevated geosmin and MIB values in surface
water sources and customer taste and odor
complaints. Similarly, warmer water temperatures could lead to an increased rate of disinfection byproduct formation. The City’s surface water treatment plants are being evaluated
to add additional treatment technologies to
adapt to changing conditions. Other benefits of more advanced treatment would be a reduction in disinfection byproduct formation
compared to current treatment processes.
• Sewer, stormwater, and flood control infrastructure. Sanitary sewer and stormwater utilities are critical to the collection and conveyance of wastewater and stormwater in the city. A combined sewer and storm water
system (CSS) serves a portion of the city, while
the remainder is served by separated sewer
and storm drainage systems. Wastewater
systems and services are provided by the City
of Sacramento Department of Utilities (DOU),
the Sacramento Area Sewer District (formerly
County Services District CSD-1), and the
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District
(Regional San). DOU maintains and operates
two Combined Sewer System treatment
plants (Pioneer Reservoir Treatment Plant and
Combined Wastewater Treatment Plant), which
operate only during significant rain events.
Climate change poses a threat to wastewater and stormwater systems via flooding or increased flows, which can overwhelm and
damage stormwater and sewer systems. A
combined sewer overflow (CSO) occurs when
flows to the CSS exceed the treatment system
capacity, which causes untreated stormwater and wastewater to be discharged into nearby streams, rivers, and other water bodies,
threatening public and ecosystem health.
While Sacramento has an extensive network
of levees, dams, and weirs to protect the city
from flooding, a storm event that exceeds the
capacity of this flood protection infrastructure
could cause significant damage and injury.
• Energy supply and infrastructure can be
interrupted because of increased temperatures,
changes in the hydrological cycle, wildfire,
and heavy storms. For example, heat events
increase demand for energy-intensive uses such
as air conditioning and cooling equipment but
reduces efficiency of energy transmission. This
can make the city more susceptible to energy
blackouts and increase energy bills during the
summer. Both wildfire and heavy storms can
damage infrastructure, producing electricity
and phone line outages, which could limit
emergency communication during a climate
hazard. Heat and wildfires also threaten energy
production and distribution, damaging powerlines or pipes, reducing transmission capacity via smoke and high heat, and shutting down
lines as a safety measure. The Sacramento
Municipal Utility District (SMUD) serves 900
square miles and is responsible for the acquisition, transmission, and distribution of electrical service to City of Sacramento customers. SMUD
Levee Along the Sacramento River
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation >
137
serves 1.5 million people, supplying power
through a distribution grid in a looped system.
• Transportation infrastructure including
roadways, railways, bridges, sidewalks, and
transit lines can experience physical damage
under extremely high temperatures. In addition,
extreme heat and poor air quality can make
taking transit, walking, and biking uncomfortable or infeasible. Wildfires can lower air quality, cause road and airport blockages and
closures, and reduce road visibility. Flooding
can make transportation routes inaccessible
when storm events put roadways underwater,
destroy critical infrastructure, knock out streetlights, cause trees to fall and block roadways, and wash out bridges. Maintaining a resilient
network of evacuation routes and transportation corridors is essential to providing critical services during environmental crises. Certain
groups such as the elderly, the hospitalized,
individuals with mobility issues, those without
a car or other access to reliable transportation,
or those who do not receive language-appropriate warning and evacuation information may not be able to evacuate in a timely manner
even if they wish to do so. In the absence of an
evacuation event, disruptions to the transportation network can disproportionately affect low-income individuals, older adults, those with
limited English proficiency, and those who have
15. U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S2504. limited mobility. Households without a vehicle
may lack the capacity to evacuate without
assistance. About 8.3 percent of Sacramento’s
households lack access to a household vehicle.15
• Medical facilities and services will experience increased demand under climate change impacts including higher ambient
temperature, reduced ambient air quality,
flooding, and wildfire that have the potential
to strain medical services infrastructure.
Six hospitals are located within the city
of Sacramento: Kaiser Permanente South
Sacramento Medical Center, Mercy General
Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento,
Shriners Hospital for Children, Sutter Medical
Center, and UC Davis Medical Center. There are
also several health clinics designed to address
the needs of specific underserved populations
throughout the Sacramento area, many of
which are operated in coordination with the
UC Davis Medical Hospital. The Department
of Health and Human Services operates the
Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment
Center (SCMHTC), which includes the Minor
Emergency Response Team unit, providing crisis
intervention and stabilization for children and
youth experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
Wind Turbines Contribute to the Energy Supply
138 07. Adaptation >
• Emergency response and management
systems will be increasingly relied on as the
severity and frequency of floods and wildfires
increase across the Sacramento region and
beyond. Demand for emergency response/staff
and social services, the need for more cooling/
clean air/evacuation centers, and the need to
manage emergency evacuation traffic may be
expected to increase, leading to an increase in
the need for physical facilities, resources, and
services to manage the expanding frequency
and severity of threats. While Sacramento
does not have extensive urban-wildland
interface, demand for fire protection
services may also increase as the fire
department may be called to respond
to fires across the region and the state.
Demand for medical services could
increase as wildfires exacerbate air quality
issues already experienced and contribute
to health-related impacts, especially for
vulnerable populations. Housing insecurity may be exacerbated following major flood events, creating another
source of demand for social services.
Community Centers can provide safe
refuge during emergency events. Flooding
is the primary threat that would cause the
City to begin an evacuation. Significant
flood events could have an extensive
impact on the City’s street network and
hinder evacuation and/or emergency
response. It is critical for the City to
communicate any changes to evacuation
routes in response to such events via local
and agency websites as well as through
educational campaigns and public service
announcements. In the event of a climate
hazard, special care should be given
to transport vulnerable populations.
• Telecommunications Services are essential
to everyday and emergency communications. Many telecommunications components (landline, wireless, and internet) are susceptible
to damage in a severe storm, and telecommunications networks are susceptible to being slowed or blocked when overloaded by call
volume. Emergency preparedness and alternative modes of communications during a climate hazard or emergency event can help
reduce the impact of disrupted telecommunications services or damage to this critical facility.
Magpie Creek
East Side Can al
Pleasant Grove Canal
Natomas Cross Canal
Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel
D r y Cre e k Robla Creek
Arcade Creek
Natomas Ea s t Main Drain Canal
Sacramento Bypass
Ame r ican River
Feather River
Sacramento Ri ver
Sacramento River 5
80 80
50 84
99 160
70 99
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
YOLO COUNTY
End Feather River
City of
West Sacramento
Sacramento
Weir Gates
SUTTER COUNTY
PLACER COUNTY SUTTER COUNTY
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
City of Sacramento
City/County of Sacramento
Flood Emergency Evacuation Plan
Sacramento County, California
Natomas Study Area DECEMBER 2015 NAT_B01A
NATOMAS STUDY AREA
MAXIMUM FLOOD DEPTHS
BREACH #1 AT NATOMAS CROSS CANAL RM 1.35
POST-FOLSOM JFP
County,
1.5 Hypothetical Levee
Failure Location
Airport
SPFC Levee Location
Evacuation Routes
County Boundaries
City Boundary
Flood Gate Location
Maximum Inundation Depth (Feet):
≤ 4
4 to 8
8 to 12
12 to 16
> 16+
Note:
This map shows the depth of inundation
after approximately 7 days from breach.
POTENTIAL EVACUATION ROUTES:
Highways:
Highway 70
Highway 99
Collectors:
Airport Blvd
Arena Blvd
Del Paso Rd
El Camino Ave
El Centro Rd
Elverta Rd
Garden Hwy
Interstate 5
Interstate 80
Levee Rd
Natomas Blvd
Natomas Rd
Northgate Blvd
Power Line Rd
San Juan Rd
Truxel Rd
MAXIMUM FLOOD DEPTH MAP
Critical Facilities:
Hospital
School
Fire Station
Police/Sheriff/CHP
Knights Landing
Ridge Cut
Magpie Creek
East Side Can al
Pleasant Grove Canal
Natomas Cross Canal
Cache
Creek
Settling
Basin
Willow Slough Bypass
Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel
D r y Cre e k Robla Creek
Arcade Creek
Natomas Ea s t Main Drain Canal
Sacramento Bypass
Sacr a mento River
Ame r ican River
Feather River
Yolo Bypass
Sacramento Ri ver
Sutter Bypass
Sacramento River
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West Sacramento
Sacramento
Weir Gates
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
YOLO COUNTY
24Hrs
24Hrs
32Hrs
8 Hrs
16 Hrs
32Hrs
40Hrs
48 Hrs
32Hrs
40Hrs
16 Hrs
8 Hrs
24 Hrs
32 Hrs
96 Hrs
40 Hrs
2 Hrs
SUTTER COUNTY
PLACER COUNTY
SUTTER COUNTY
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
48H
City of Sacramento rs
40Hrs
24Hrs
32Hrs
16 Hrs
40 Hrs
32 Hrs
48 Hrs
City/County of Sacramento
Flood Emergency Evacuation Plan
Sacramento County, California
Natomas Study Area DECEMBER 2015 NAT_B01B
NATOMAS STUDY AREA
TIME CONTOURS TO APPROXIMATE DEPTH OF 1 FT
BREACH #1 AT NATOMAS CROSS CANAL RM 1.35
POST-FOLSOM JFP
SOURCE: Facilities from Sacramento County,
26Jan2015 Z:\Projects\1411980_CityofSac\Maps\POST_JFP\NAT_NEW3\Figure2_NAT_NEW3.mxd SET ® 1.5 0.75 0 1.5
Miles
Hypothetical Levee
Failure Location
¿ Flood Flow Direction
J^ Airport
SPFC Levee Location
Evacuation Routes
Time to Approximate 1-foot
Depth Contour (Hours)
County Boundaries
City Boundary
"S Flood Gate Location
À ÀBreach Failure Limits
Primary Evacuation Area:
The water has the potential of reaching
a depth of 1 foot after 2 hours from the
time of levee failure within breach
failure limits.
POTENTIAL EVACUATION ROUTES:
Highways:
Highway 70
Highway 99
Collectors:
Airport Blvd
Arena Blvd
Del Paso Rd
El Camino Ave
El Centro Rd
Elverta Rd
Garden Hwy
Interstate 5
Interstate 80
Levee Rd
Natomas Blvd
Natomas Rd
Northgate Blvd
Power Line Rd
San Juan Rd
Truxel Rd
TIME CONTOURS IN HOURS TO APPROXIMATE DEPTH OF ONE FOOT er River
Hypothetical Levee
Failure Location
Critical Facilities:
v® Hospital
å S
hl
er River
Hypothetical Levee
Failure Location
Flood Evacuation Map of Natomas
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation >
139
ADAPTATION STRATEGY
Where key climate change risks and vulnerabilities in Sacramento intersect, there is an opportunity to improve adaptive capacity. The
adaptation strategy presented in this section
prioritizes the areas in which existing levels of
adaptive capacity are low, especially in comparison to high levels of risk and/or vulnerability.
These priorities reflect the City’s aim to achieve
climate equity while also most effectively building resilience.
EXISTING ADAPTIVE
CAPACITY
Planning and Management
Capabilities
Existing regulatory capabilities across City
departments and offices can help implement
climate adaptation and mitigation activities.
For example, the Community Development
Department (CDD) regulates new development
through the implementation of City development standards and the California Building Standards Code. CDD also develops and
updates long-range plans for the city’s future,
such as the Sacramento General Plan and the
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which lays
out a set of strategies to achieve substantial
greenhouse gas reductions and increase community-wide resilience to climate change.
Other City departments also prepare plans to
guide operations within their respective areas
of responsibility, many of which are related
to climate change adaptation. For example,
DOU updates the City of Sacramento Urban
Water Management Plan on a five-year cycle
to assess the availability and reliability of water
supplies and projected water use. Additionally,
DOU’s Comprehensive Flood Management
Plan guides the City’s flood risk and mitigation efforts.
The Sacramento Office of Emergency
Management (SacOEM) prepares and coordinates the City of Sacramento Emergency Operations Plan, which provides guidance for
those with emergency management responsibilities within the City of Sacramento. This plan covers a broad range of planned responses to
emergencies associated with disasters, technological incidents, or other dangerous conditions to support effective mitigation of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.
The City also coordinates with other agencies to develop plans that guide operations.
For example, the Sacramento County Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is a FEMA-approved plan that serves
as a tool to reduce or eliminate long-term risk
to people and property from hazards. The
2021 LHMP was prepared in coordination with
Sacramento County, seven incorporated communities and 24 special districts.
Collaborative Structures,
Planning, and Management
Capabilities
Like many agencies throughout California,
the City of Sacramento must find the way to
address climate impacts in a resource-constrained environment. It will be essential to find holistic and integrated approaches to address
projected climate impacts. This can take the
form of multi-benefit projects, in which mitigation measures are integrated and delivered through existing capital improvement plans.
Alternately, this can be achieved through
140 07. Adaptation >
multi-agency partnerships that streamline and
coordinate local investments to drive more
cost-effective regional solutions where risk and
mitigation approaches can be aligned. The City
of Sacramento has already partnered with a
range of government entities including federal,
State, County, special districts, and other local
municipal agencies, on a range of issues and
projects that are central to Sacramento’s successful adaptation to projected climate change impacts. Likewise, the City has key partnerships
with community-based organizations that can
be further developed to integrate vulnerable
populations and further disseminate mitigation
activities throughout the community.
Leveraging resources developed by the City’s
partners is essential to successful CAAP implementation. For example, following Assembly Bill 661 (2019), the Sacramento Metropolitan
Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) led
a regional process to develop a Wildfire Smoke
Air Pollution Emergency Plan and associated
education materials for schools, businesses,
and other organizations. The City can leverage
these resources in programs and projects to
adapt to wildfire smoke and other air quality
hazards. Similarly, the Capital Region Climate
Readiness Collaborative creates and disseminates educational resources on extreme heat that can support the City’s adaptation goals.
The California Natural Resources Agency is also
drafting an Extreme Heat Action Plan as part
of the California Climate Adaptation Strategy.
Effectively leveraging such resources can
support the City’s climate adaptation efforts.
Another key example is the region-wide water
resources and flood risk management effort
between agencies including the U.S. Bureau
of Reclamation, State Department of Water
Resources, Sacramento Area Flood Control
Agency, the City of Sacramento Department
of Utilities, and others. Findings from the
American River Basin Study have affirmed the
need for strategic actions including maintaining the Sacramento Regional Water Bank, which helps coordinate conflicting requirements for flood risk management and water supply throughout the region. Given that the
scale of climate change impacts extend beyond
City boundaries, these types of partnerships
will continue to be instrumental in implementing effective adaptation measures.
Administrative/Technical
Capabilities
Authority for emergency management in
the City of Sacramento resides with the City
Manager, who is designated by City Code as
the Director of Emergency Services. Several
important divisions related to climate change
adaptation reside within the City Manager’s
Office. These include the Office of Climate
Action and Sustainability, which leads the City’s
efforts to address climate change; the City’s
Office of Media and Communications, which
facilitates communication with citizens and
businesses; and SacOEM, which is responsible
for conducting all-hazard preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery for the whole community. SacOEM also manages the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which is staffed
with City personnel who are trained to ensure
unified, enduring support to first responders
and the community for the duration of any
disaster. For events that do not necessitate
activating the EOC but still involve multiple
departments, OEM may activate and lead a
Crisis Action Team (CAT) to facilitate integrated
Citywide response. For multi-jurisdictional
cohesion, SacOEM also has a staff member
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation >
141
assigned to the Sacramento Regional Type-III
Incident Management Team. In an emergency,
the Office of Media and Communications helps
disseminate and coordinate vital information to
ensure public safety.
Several other City departments are responsible for activities related to loss prevention in Sacramento. DOU’s Storm Drainage Division
operates and maintains the City’s storm drainage system, which consists of pumping stations, pipes, ditches, channels. DOU also helps maintain levees on several waterways, while
others are maintained by other agencies, and
conducts educational Flood Ready outreach
to residents.
The Public Works Department manages and
maintains the City’s transportation system,
responds to hazards in the public right of
way, manages City trees and responds to
downed trees, streetlight poles, traffic signal
poles, guardrails, operates flood gates, and
upgrades the City’s transportation network as
funding permits.
Fiscal Capabilities
The City of Sacramento will continue to seek
and coordinate funding to effectively drive mitigation actions. For example, the City will seek to combine similar actions to align local
funding and integrate mitigation measures into
identified capital projects to bolster systemic
resilience. The City will seek to build on General
Fund dollars, water and stormwater utility
enterprise funds, impact fees for new development, and other current City revenue sources to leverage State and federal funding to drive
mitigation projects. The City continuously seeks
to acquire grant funding from both State and
federal agencies: some key opportunities
include grant funding from the FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program, which
includes Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood
Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs; FEMA
Public Assistance Section 406 Mitigation;
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG);
and Increased Cost of Compliance funding. Key
State funding sources for adaptation projects
include CalOES, the Department of Water
Resources (DWR), and the California Strategic
Growth Council.
Education, Outreach, and
Partnerships
Numerous education and outreach programs
and methods exist currently to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information. Local citizen groups or nonprofit groups such as American River Parkway Foundation and Community Emergency
Response Team focus on environmental protection, emergency preparedness, access, and functional needs. Continued public education
and information programs, Firewise
Communities certification, and public-private
partnership initiatives addressing disaster
related issues also help to promote preparedness and mitigation information and strategies.
CAAP Community Outreach Event
142 07. Adaptation >
In addition, the City conducts a number of outreach programs on an annual basis. Some examples include the “Flood Watch” newsletter
developed by the Sacramento Area Flood
Control Agency to inform the public on levee
work status and assessment information and
the Sacramento Splash in the Class program
which provides presentations on stormwater
pollution prevention to third through sixth
grade classrooms.
ADAPTATION PRIORITIES
Implementing climate adaptation will
require addressing a broad range of issues,
from extreme heat to flood risk. Yet, each of
these issues pose a different level of risk in
Sacramento, and certain residents are more
at-risk than others. For example, many communities and critical facilities are located in areas of high vulnerability to flooding due to low elevation, and climate change will further increase the chances of such events. While Sacramento
has extensive storm drainage and flood control
infrastructure, the adaptive capacity of this
infrastructure to climate change impacts is
not fully understood. Due to the potential
for serious harm that a major flood event
could cause, the City and partner agencies
such as the Sacramento Area Flood Control
Agency, State DWR, and the Federal Bureau of
Reclamation will continue to proactively coordinate to improve flood control infrastructure and management to adapt to climate change.
The American River Basin Study is one example
of a regional effort that bolsters the City’s existing adaptive capacity in response to flooding and water supply availability impacts. On the
other hand, while there is low risk of wildfire
occurring within the city, the impact of smoke
from regional wildfires in the surrounding area
can substantially affect Sacramento residents.
This effect will be felt most acutely by vulnerable populations such as people with asthma, outdoor workers, and other groups that are not
specifically addressed by existing programs
or policies.
The following priorities have been established
based on the Climate Change Vulnerability
Assessment, taking into account the risk level
of the climate change impact and the level
of existing adaptive capacity. These priorities correspond to the goals discussed in the next section.
1. Strengthen City Government Capacity
for Integrated, Holistic Climate
Adaptive Strategies
2. Extreme Heat and Urban Heat Island
Effect
3. Flooding
4. Air Quality Impacts of Wildfires and
Heat
5. Climate Disaster Events
6. Water Supply Availability and Water
Conservation
The Tower Bridge
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
143
Goals, Policies,
and Actions
This section, consistent with Government Code
section 65302(g), presents the goals and policies that will guide the City, and actions that the City and its partners will implement to
adapt to climate change impacts and improve
resiliency. The Adaptation Strategy is intended
to address Sacramento’s key climate vulnerabilities identified in the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. Goals and policies are supported by a suite of actions and a description of co-benefits.
The City has proactively incorporated extensive climate adaptation and resilience actions into the 2040 General Plan, Urban Forest Plan,
and 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).
For each Adaptation Goal in this section, supporting policies are referenced from the 2040 General Plan as applicable. Each goal is then
followed by a table of related implementing
actions from the 2040 General Plan and LHMP.
If the action is derived from another document, such as the LHMP, then that original source is provided in brackets. LHMP actions
are provided in full detail in Appendix G. Finally,
newly drafted CAAP actions are included
at the end of the table to help address any
remaining gaps not covered by other documents. Timing for these actions is summarized in the “Phase” column, where the phases are
defined as follows:
• Phase 1 actions will begin implementation
at CAAP adoption or before. These actions
have been prioritized due to their importance,
cost-effectiveness, or the availability
of resources for implementation.
• Phase 2 actions will begin implementation
between 2024 and 2030. These actions may
require additional resources such as staff
time, funding and financing, or there may
need to be additional education and outreach conducted prior to implementation.
Acronyms for each of the General Plan elements used in this scheme are defined below:
• ERC: Environmental Resources and Constraints
• EJ: Environmental Justice
• HCR: Historic and Cultural Resources
• PFS: Public Facilities and Safety
GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
Policies in the General Plan
are uniquely numbered by
each element using a naming
convention that identifies the
element, the goal number, and the
policy number, as demonstrated
below:
144 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
GOAL A-1: Strengthen City government capacity
for integrated, holistic climate adaptive
strategies and to reduce climate risks.
Responding to climate impacts requires
new, systemic approaches and solutions.
Opportunities for multi-benefit approaches
can happen with creative partnership and
the repurposing of existing limited resources.
Preparing for the increasing scale and severity of climate impacts necessitates new approaches. Resiliency will require embedding
and institutionalizing new approaches into City
operations to address existing limitations of
funding, special use funds, and staff capacity.
Integrated planning, funding, and implementation partnerships will be essential to timely meeting the adaptation challenges ahead. The
following actions entail evaluating climate risk
and identifying funding needs, opportunities,
and staff resources necessary for implementation. This goal establishes important foundational steps for the organization to quantify and prepare to reduce climate risks, to the
community, as well as to City operations and
expenditures.
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation JobCreation
Environmental
Quality
Open Space Helps Sequester Carbon, Reduce Run-Off, and Improve Quality of Life City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
145
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Agency Support/
Partner
Phase
A-1-1: Climate Risk Reduction – Evaluate and
reduce climate risks and vulnerability in City
expenditures and operations.
[New Proposed Action]
• City Manager’s
Office
• Budget Office Phase 1
A-1-2: Adaptation and Resilience Staff –
Dedicate City staff and resources for long-term
climate adaptation and resiliency needs.
[New Proposed Action]
• City Manager’s
Office
• Community
Development
• Public Works
• Utilities
Phase 2
A-1-3: Climate-Informed Infrastructure
Planning – Establish guidance and procedures
for the consideration of climate impacts in all
City infrastructure and capital projects, including
minimum levels of preparation as applicable.
[New Proposed Action]
• Public Works • Utilities
• Youth, Parks,
and Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
A-1-4: Resilient City Facilities – Evaluate and
prioritize climate vulnerabilities in City facilities
and infrastructure and establish a coordinated
plan for the pursuit of related grants across City
departments.
[New Proposed Action]
• Public Works • All Phase 2
A-1-5: Climate Change Collaboration and
Partnerships – Support regional climate
collaboration and provide continued leadership,
with continued support of the Capital Region
Climate Readiness Collaborative and related
adaptation efforts.
[New Proposed Action]
• City Manager’s
Office
• Community
Development
• Public Works
• Utilities
Phase 1
A-1-6: Climate Change Data and Resources
– Use and disseminate available resources on
climate adaptation and impacts, with a focus on
Sacramento’s vulnerable communities.
[New Proposed Action]
• All Phase 2
146 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
GOAL A-2: Create built environments that reduce exposure to extreme heat and mitigate urban heat island effect.
As high temperatures during summer months
become more extreme and occur over a longer
period of time, the cost burdens and resource
strain of greater energy use, incidence of
heat-related sickness or death, and exacerbation of urban heat island effect will also increase. By understanding the primary components of urban heat—shade, evapotranspiration, and albedo—the City can make changes to the physical environment to create places
that are more livable. For example, Measure
CS-1 to increase urban tree canopy cover will
provide more shade, which will reduce exposure to direct sun and reduce heat impacts.
Trees also contribute to a cooler microclimate
through evapotranspiration, which is the
process of moisture evaporating from plants
into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, increasing albedo (reflectivity) of built surfaces such as using white or light-colored “cool roofs”
can help limit indoor temperature, thereby
reducing the need for air conditioning. As such,
many of the mitigations addressed by this goal
can achieve co-benefits that strengthen the
City’s adaptive capacity.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The Mayors' Commission on Climate Change
made recommendations on community health
and resilience that are addressed in the actions
supporting this goal. Specifically, the actions
under this goal will substantially further the
objectives of providing access to green space
within a quarter-mile of home for all residents by 2030 and of achieving a baseline tree canopy of 25 percent by 2030 and 35 percent
by 2045. The actions under this goal also have
important public health and climate resilience
benefits, in line with MCCC recommendations.
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation JobCreation
Environmental
Quality
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
147
Supporting General Plan Policies
The following 2040 General Plan policies support the goal of creating built environments that reduce exposure to extreme weather events and mitigate urban heat island effects:
ERC-8-1: Cooling Design Techniques.
Through design guidelines and other
means, in all new development the City
shall promote the use of tree canopy,
cool pavements, landscaping, cool roofing and other cool building materials, and site design techniques that provide passive cooling and reduce energy demand.
In particular, the City shall promote the
use of voluntary measures identified in
the California Green Building Code (Title
24, Part 11 of the California Code of Regulations) to minimize heat island effects, including hardscape and roof materials
with beneficial solar reflectance and thermal emittance values and measures for exterior wall shading.
ERC-8-2: Large Heat Islands. The City should
work with property owners and businesses identified in urban heat island hot spots, informed by Figure 7-2 to address
the urban heat island effect and reduce
ambient temperatures in surrounding
residential areas. City actions may include
the following:
• Facilitating coordinated action
among property owners; and
• Providing information and incentives for cost-effective heat reduction strategies, including front yard tree
plantings and vegetation where
streets lack room for street trees.
ERC-8-3: Urban Heat Pilot Projects. The City
should continue to pursue pilot projects
to test the use of new materials (e.g.,
landscaping, building materials, and site
design techniques) in City infrastructure
projects that can mitigate urban heat
when implemented at scale.
ERC-8-4: Municipal Cool Roof Retrofits. The
City should evaluate cool roofing options
and plan for the retrofit of municipal
facilities in coordination with energy efficiency upgrades, including administrative offices, community centers, and maintenance buildings. City buildings located in the most vulnerable areas, informed
by Figure 7-2 should be prioritized
for retrofits.
ERC-8-5: Cool Libraries. The City shall work
with the Sacramento Public Library (SPL)
to facilitate the incorporation of cooling
techniques into neighborhood library
facilities, including the application of cool
roofing materials, cool paving treatments,
landscaping, and shading amenities as
funding allows.
ERC-8-6: Heat-Reducing Public Amenities.
The City shall strive to install heat-reducing public amenities in areas most affected by urban heat, prioritizing the areas with
vulnerable populations. Amenities could
include the following:
• Drinking water fountains or bottle
refilling facilities in public parks, at
community facilities, transit centers,
or other appropriate locations.
148 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
• Splash pads, sprinklers, fountains,
and other water features in public
parks, where appropriate.
• Shade structures and shading elements in parks and public facilities, where appropriate. • Additional trees planted in passive landscape areas in parks and public facilities.
ERC-3-2: Tree Canopy Expansion. The City
should strive to achieve a 25 percent
urban tree canopy cover by 2030 and 35
percent by 2045. Prioritize tree planting
and maintenance in areas with the lowest
average canopy cover and explore strategies to reduce barriers to tree planting in disadvantaged communities and improve
tree health.
ERC-3-3: Tree Protection. The City shall
encourage public agencies and require
private development projects to consider
alternatives to removals of healthy trees
whenever feasible and to evaluate the
longer-term consequences of the inability to meet tree canopy objectives when conducting project analyses and environmental documents. Ensure adequate protections during construction to protect existing tree roots and structure.
ERC-3-5: Tree List. The City shall maintain and
update a list of desirable trees that suit soil
and climate conditions in specific areas of
Sacramento. Consider carbon sequestration potential of selected species. Select tree species that demonstrate adaptiveness to projected climate change impacts, including the ability to thrive:
• in higher temperatures,
• with reduced water use,
• with grey and recycled water, and;
• with increased pest and
disease prevalence.
ERC-3-6: Urban Forest Maintenance. The
City shall continue to plant, manage, and
care for all trees on City property and
within the public right-of-way to maximize their safe and useful life expectancy and continue to explore the selection of
tree species that are adapted to future climate conditions.
ERC-3-9: Watering and Irrigation. The City
shall encourage appropriate watering
practices and irrigation to minimize
needed water use and support healthy
tree growth; support responsible tree irrigation during droughts to minimize tree stress and loss; and convert irrigation in
parks and streetscapes where needed.
ERC-3-10: Parking Lot Shading. The City shall
review and amend the Parking Lot Shading Design and Maintenance Guidelines and Parking Lot Shading Ordinance as
needed to promote tree health, growth,
and maintenance of trees to reduce urban
heat island impacts.
ERC-3-11: Planting. The City shall encourage
development to provide trees with appropriate irrigation methods and adequate growing space; site trees to reduce building heat and provide shade to public walkways to the extent feasible; and include appropriate soil treatment methods to
promote healthy thriving trees.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
149
Pocket
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EDISON AVE
CENTER PKWY
HOVNANIAN DR
STOCKTON BLVD
15TH ST
19TH ST
21ST ST
ALHAMBRA BLVD
29TH ST
30TH ST
10TH ST 9TH ST
5TH ST
3RD ST
VALLEY HI DR
AZEVEDO DR
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NATOMAS CENTRAL DR
BROADWAY
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SAN JUAN RD
WINDBRIDGE DR
C ST
RIO LINDA BLVD
GREENHAVEN DR
NORTHGATE BLVD
EASTERN AVE
DEL PASO BLVD
WESTLAKE PKWY
ELVAS AVE
KIEFER BLVD
MISSION AVE
ENGLE RD
Q ST
N ST
P ST
I ST
L ST
X ST
GLORIA DR
W ST
EL CAMINO AVE
65TH ST
CURTIS DR
SUTTERVILLE RD
DEL PASO RD
BROOKFIELD DR
RIVERSIDE BLVD
WATT AVE
POCKET RD
N BEND DR
GRAND AVE
BRUCEVILLE RD
NORTHBOROUGH DR
GATEWAY PARK BLVD
BELL AVE
24TH ST
47TH AVE
NORWOOD AVE
RUSH RIVER DR
39TH ST
DANBROOK DR
REGENCY PARK CIR
NORTHROP AVE
ELSIE AVE
ELKHORN BLVD
BRIDGECROSS DR
ARDEN WAY
65TH STREET EXPY
AUBURN BLVD
16TH ST
13TH ST
RICHARDS BLVD
14TH ST
FOLSOM BLVD
AMERICAN RIVER
ETHAN WAY
GERBER RD
FULTON AVE
46TH ST
FLORIN PERKINS RD FRENCH RD
FRANKLIN BLVD
TRUXEL RD
CLUB CENTER DR
S WATT AVE
H ST
MARKET BLVD
HURLEY WAY
MACK RD
ELDER CREEK RD
FLORIN RD
BIG HORN BLVD
EXPOSITION BLVD
E COMMERCE WAY
MARYSVILLE BLVD
LA RIVIERA DR
SHELDON RDPOWER INN RD COTTAGE WAY
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LEVEE RD
35TH AVE
MEADOWVIEW RD
NATOMAS BLVD
N PARK DR
E LEVEE RD
MAIN AVE
HOWE AVE
ROSEVILLE RD
SILVER EAGLE RD
LAGUNA BLVD
ALTA ARDEN EXPY
CALVINE RD
W ELKHORN BLVD
COSUMNES RIVER BLVD
ELK GROVE FLORIN RD
EL CENTRO RD
HEDGE AVE
FREEPORT BLVD
GARDEN HWY
LONE TREE RD
POWER LINE RD
METRO AIR PKWY
Source: Natural Capital Project, Stanford University, 2021; NASA, 2018-2021; USGS, 2018-2021; County of Sacramento, 2018; City of Sacramento, 2018; Dyett and Bhatia, 2021 J:\GISData\563_Sacramento\GIS\Projects\_Urban Heat Island\InVEST_Temp.mxd 0 ½ 1 2 Mile
Projected Temperature* (°F)
High : 101.767
Low : 88.951
Sacramento City Limit
Sphere of Influence
Community Plan Area Boundary
* Temperature is reflective of estimated air temperatures on an average summer day (May-September).
Figure 7-2. Urban Heat Priority Intervention Areas Map
150 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Actions and Implementation
The following implementation actions are drawn from the 2040 General Plan and adopted 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and support the goal of creating built environments that reduce exposure to extreme weather events and mitigate urban heat island effects:
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-2-1: Heat Reduction in the Public Realm – The City
should explore opportunities to amend development
standards and guidelines so as to promote the use of
heat mitigation strategies to reduce temperatures in
the public realm, particularly on active transportation networks, commercial corridors, near light rail
transit (LRT) stations and along transit corridors.
Requirements may include the incorporation of the
following:
• Building design strategies (varied building heights;
setbacks from sidewalks; vertical and horizontal
shade features);
• Cooling building and pavement materials,
treatments, and coatings;
• Multiple layers of shading to maximize coverage
throughout the day; and
• Street trees, and landscaping.
[General Plan ERC-Action 4]
• Community
Development
• Public Works Phase 2
A-2-2: Bus Shelter Design – The City shall encourage
Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) to study
the feasibility of designing and installing bus shelters that are designed to offer protection and relief from
heat, including the incorporation of shade trees.
[General Plan ERC-Action 5]
• Public Works Phase 2
A-2-3: Cooling Landscape Standards – The City shall
prepare a Landscape Manual or enhance landscape
standards to mitigate urban heat island effects.
Such standards could include a climate appropriate
planting palette and recommended plant mix, targets
for street tree canopy, shade structure coverage, and
asphalt paving coverage.
[General Plan ERC-Action 7]
• Public Works • Community
Development
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
151
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-2-4: Heat-Resilient Design Techniques – The
City shall evaluate the feasibility of updating
design guidelines, standards, and the municipal
code to require building materials and site design
techniques that provide passive cooling and reduce
energy demand.
[General Plan ERC-Action 8]
• Community
Development
Phase 2
A-2-5: Urban Forest Plan – The City shall develop and
implement an Urban Forest Plan as a primary planning
tool for the protection, expansion, maintenance,
sustainability, and enhancement of Sacramento’s
urban forest.
[General Plan ERC-Action 1]
• Public Works • Community
Development
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
A-2-6: Minimum Tree Requirements – The City shall
review and amend the planning and development
code as necessary to require minimum levels of
tree planting in new development and significant
remodels, and improve tree canopy inclusion. Review
the following topics at a minimum:
• Requirements for trees in setback areas, particularly in new single-unit dwelling developments and
subdivisions.
• Identifying opportunities to provide incentives or
requirements for inclusion of trees in front, back and
side yards, particularly when sited to provide shade
for sidewalks and streets.
• Tree plantings in site plan review to place trees to
maximize energy conservation.
• Chapter 12.56 of the City Code to better define how
tree permits for ministerial development project
reviews are processed.
• Solar panel installation requirements to minimize
potential conflicts with tree planting.
[General Plan ERC-Action 9]
• Community
Development
• Public Works Phase 2
152 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-2-7: Parking Lot Shade Ordinance – The City
shall update the Parking Lot Shade Ordinance and
Guidelines to ease compliance, improve site plan
review and inspection, monitoring, and to strengthen
requirements for ongoing maintenance and
replacement of trees in parking lots. Identify when and how shading requirements may be satisfied through
alternate methods such as canopies and solar arrays.
[General Plan ERC-Action 10]
• Public Works • Community
Development
Phase 2
A-2-8: Street Standards for Tree Canopy – The City
shall update Street Standards with objective design
standards for shade trees along roadways to optimize
tree canopy and provide solutions for various street
functions and conditions.
[General Plan ERC-Action 11]
• Public Works • Community
Development
Phase 2
A-2-9: Tree Education – The City shall develop
informational materials to provide to residents and
businesses to support the City's tree canopy, including but not limited to the following:
• Information for new residents and businesses on
tree benefits, planting guidance, tree selection and
care, available programs, and water-wise irrigation;
• Guidance on tree planting to maximize building
energy conservation;
• Guidance to plant and maintain healthy trees in
parking lots;
• Options and strategies to convert paved areas to
tree planting areas.
[General Plan ERC-Action 2]
• Public Works • Community
Development
Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
153
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-2-10: Cooling Centers in High Priority Locations
– This project includes the opening of cooling
centers and respite centers in high priority locations
throughout the City where these at risk populations
are centered as well as high population areas where
the general public may need to cool down. This can be
an incentive for recreational centers and faith-based
centers that can receive stipends for each day they are operational.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 37]
• Community
Response
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
• City Libraries
Phase 1
A-2-11: Extreme Weather Outreach Strategy – This
project is meant to serve as an outreach mechanism
to the population in Sacramento City. It will be
completed mainly by providing social media toolkits
for the general population with access to internet. For more at-risk populations, such as the homeless, the
outreach will be completed in person by targeting the
areas of Sacramento where the homeless population
tends to stay. Outreach will also be completed via food banks and homeless assistance centers.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 38]
• Community
Response
• Sacramento
Steps Forward
• Community
Response
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Public
Information
Officer
Phase 1
The Department of Public Works Works Year-Round to Help Prepare for Winter Storms. 154 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-2-12: Severe Weather Action Plan – The Severe
Weather Action Plan will outline key triggers, such
as, when to begin weather monitoring and cooling/
warming centers activations. The Plan would also
outline media and boots-on-the-ground outreach to
the populations in need. The Plan will also identify
community partners who will provide shelter and/or
services during severe weather events.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 39]
• Office of
Emergency
Management
Planning
Process
Phase 2
A-2-13: Home Air Conditioning – Increase access
to home air conditioning for vulnerable populations
that do not currently have access, in tandem with
heat pump installation to ensure energy and
cost-effectiveness.
[New Proposed Action]
• Community
Development
• City Manager’s
Office
Phase 2
A-2-14: Heat Reduction in Parks – The City shall
increase parkland tree plantings and other naturebased solutions in passive landscape areas where feasible, especially in under-canopied neighborhoods.
Other heat-reducing public amenities such as drinking
fountains, water mister/spray areas, and shade
structures will continue to be installed and maintained to mitigate urban heat island effects.
[New Proposed Action]
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
155
GOAL A-3: Reduce the risk of damage to life, infrastructure, and property due to flooding.
The City of Sacramento is susceptible to various
types of flood events, including riverine, flash,
and localized stormwater flooding. Climate
change is increasing the risk of extreme storms
that cannot be contained by levees and dams.
Regardless of the type of flood, the cause is
most often the result of severe weather patterns
and excessive rainfall, either in the flood area
or upstream reach. Flooding is the most significant natural hazard that the City faces, and the extent and frequency would be expected
to increase without adaptive actions. Climate
change exacerbates Sacramento’s flood risk
because of the projected increase in severity
of extreme storm events and because warmer
winters will lead to an increasing fraction of
precipitation falling as rain rather than snow
in the upper American River and Sacramento
River watersheds, leading to increased runoff
in the fall and winter. Adaptive measures such
as those identified in the American River Basin
Study, and other planned projects including
levee enhancements, will be essential to mitigate the risk of significant flooding.
In addition, climate resilience can be significantly strengthened by focusing efforts on proactive adaptation measures including relocating critical municipal facilities outside of hazard risk areas and building the community’s knowledge, ability and capacity to reduce vulnerability to flood event disasters.
Sea level rise also has the potential to gradually
exacerbate riverine flood risk in Sacramento
from major storm events over the course of
the century. However, additional studies will
be needed to better understand the potential impacts of sea level rise on Sacramento.
Nevertheless, sea level rise will generally
increase salinity of the Delta’s fresh waters and
increase reliance on upper watershed sources,
including Folsom Reservoir, underlining the
challenge of balancing flood risk management
and water supply.
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation JobCreation
Environmental
Quality
156
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Supporting General
Plan Policies
The following 2040 General Plan policies
support the goal to reduce the risk to damage
of life, infrastructure, and property due
to flooding:
ERC-6-1: Protection from Flood Hazards. The
City shall strive to protect life, the natural
environment, and property from natural
hazards due to flooding.
ERC-6-2: Flood Management Planning Coordination. The City shall work with local, regional, State, and federal agencies to do
the following:
• Maintain an adequate information base;
monitor long-term flood safety; and assess
long-term flood event probabilities;
• Prepare risk assessments that
account for urbanization and the
effects of climate change;
• Identify strategies to mitigate
flooding impacts; and
• Participate in regional planning efforts.
ERC-6-3: Floodway Capacity. The City shall
preserve urban creeks and rivers to maintain and, where feasible, expand existing floodway capacity while enhancing environmental and habitat quality and recreational opportunities.
ERC-6-4: Floodplain Requirements. The City
shall regulate development within floodplains in accordance with State and federal requirements and maintain the City’s eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program.
ERC-6-5: Community Rating System. The City
shall continue its participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Community Rating System program, which gives property owners discounts on flood insurance.
ERC-6-6: Flood Regulations. The City shall
continue to regulate new development
in accordance with State requirements
for 200-year level of flood protection and
federal requirements for 100-year level of
flood protection.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
Sacramento's Natomas Basin is One of the Most At-risk Areas in the Nation for Catastrophic Flooding.
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions157
ERC-6-7: Flood Hazard Risk Evaluation. The
City shall require evaluation of potential
flood hazards prior to approval of development projects and shall require new development located within a Special Flood Hazard Area to be designed to meet federal and State regulations and minimize the risk of damage in the event of a flood.
ERC-6-8: Inter-agency Levee Management.
The City shall coordinate with local,
regional, State, and federal agencies to
ensure new and existing levees are adequate in providing flood protection and coordinate to achieve local certification of levees for 200-year flood protection by 2025.
PFS-3-11: Joint-Use Facilities. Wherever feasible, the City shall pursue the development of joint-use water, stormwater quality,
flood control and other utility facilities as
appropriate in conjunction with schools,
parks, bike paths, golf courses, and other
suitable uses to achieve economy and
efficiency in the provision of services
and facilities.
PFS-3-16: Stormwater Design in Private
Development. The City shall require proponents of new development and redevelopment projects to submit drainage studies that adhere to City stormwater
design requirements and incorporate
measures, including “green infrastructure,” Low Impact Development (LID) techniques, stormwater treatment, and if
applicable, trash capture devices, to prevent on- or off-site flooding and improve runoff water quality.
PFS-3-17: Regional Stormwater Facilities.
The City shall coordinate efforts with Sacramento County and other agencies in the development of regional stormwater facilities.
158 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Actions and Implementation
The following 2040 General Plan and 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan implementation actions support the goal to reduce the risk to damage of life, infrastructure, and property due to flooding:
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-1: Stormwater Master Planning – The City shall
implement a stormwater master plan program to:
• Identify facilities needed to prevent 10-year event street flooding and 100-year event structure flooding;
• Ensure that public facilities and infrastructure are
designed pursuant to approved basin master plans;
• Ensure that adequate land area and any other elements are provided for facilities subject to incremental sizing (e.g., detention basins and pump stations); and
• Incorporate the use of “green infrastructure,” Low Impact Development (LID) techniques, stormwater treatment
controls, and, if applicable, trash capture devices.
[General Plan PFS-Action 4]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-3-2: Evaluation and Mitigation of Critical Facilities in Identified Hazard Areas – This project addresses the additional evaluation of identified critical facilities to determine options for mitigation. The initial focus will be on those facilities within the flood hazard areas, with other hazard-prone facilities to follow. The end result of this analysis will be a list of facilities within the 100- and 500- year floodplain and their mitigation recommendations and priorities.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 6]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-3-3: Retrofit of Repetitive Loss Properties – The City must identify property owners interested in retrofits and also obtain grant money to assist with the retrofits.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 7]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-3-4: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) &
Community Rating System (CRS) Continuation –
Continue to meet minimum NFIP requirements and exceed
those requirements by participating in the CRS program. [Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 11]
• Utilities Phase 1
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
159
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-5: Develop a Master Generation Plan for Pump
Stations – Develop a plan for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing power generation needs for pumping
stations. Perform a power audit to identify needs. Plan will identify needs, costs, funding, and lead personnel. Plan will include the purchase and installation of necessary built-in and mobile generators and additional equipment. The City has a robust generator plan but a master plan is still in the process. Sumps that need generators have been identified but the program has been delayed due to funding.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 12]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-3-6: Flood Recovery Plan – Create a plan that addresses key elements of flood recovery, such as, restoring
infrastructure, debris removal, water quality, building inspection, facilitating access to individual assistance, providing temporary housing, assisting with business
recover, and identify needed resources to support recovery efforts. Continue to update plan.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 17]
• Utilities • Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 1
A-3-7: Public Information Flood Response Plan – Develop a pre-flood plan for public information projects that will be implemented during and after a flood. The plan will include a collection of outreach templates including key messages that need to be disseminated before, during, and after a flood. The plan will also include written procedures that explain how the materials will be disseminated and when the information should be released.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 18]
• Utilities • Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 2
A-3-8: Purchase Drones for Use in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, and Response – Integrate the use of drones
into the City’s scheduled facility inspection program.
Implement inspection of areas that may have been
impossible and/or very difficult to inspect in the past, with a program goal to increase efficiency, comprehensiveness, and frequency of inspections as a best practices measure. [Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 29]
• Utilities Phase 1
160 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-9: Map and Assess Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
– Model various “what-if” scenarios to estimate potential vulnerability in order to develop sea level rise mitigation priorities. Develop an inventory of critical facilities and infrastructure that may be particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 30]
• Utilities,
Drainage
Levee
Inspection
Section
Phase 2
A-3-10: Coordinate with Stakeholders on Proposed
Flood Control Project on Magpie Creek – The project
would raise approximately 2,100 feet of the Magpie Creek Diversion Channel left bank levee and extending the levee south along the west side of Raley Boulevard to Santa Ana Avenue, with floodgates at two driveways.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 40]
• Sacramento
Area Flood
Control
Association
• Utilities
• County of
Sacramento
Department of
Water Resources
• US Army Corps
of Engineers
Phase 1
A-3-11: Adopt Additional Floodplain Development
Standards The Development Services Task Force – will
discuss adoption of additional development standards
related to floodplain management and best practices.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 41]
• Utilities • Community
Development
Phase 2
A-3-12: Drainage Projects for Repetitive Loss Properties – Many drainage projects have been identified in the City’s Drainage Master Plans. These projects include upsizing
pipelines, adding detention basins, adding bypass pipelines, retrofitting pump stations, and land acquisition. These projects will be ranked and grant funding will be pursued. [Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 42]
• Utilities • Youth, Parks,
and Community
Enrichment
Phase 1
A-3-13: Historic Magpie Creek – The Magpie Creek
Diversion Channel is part of the Corps levee improvement project under the WRDA 16 authorization. The work consists of cutting off all (or the majority) of the spill into historic Magpie and keeping it contained in the diversion channel as it heads north then west.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 44]
• Utilities Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
161
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-14: Natomas Internal Drainage Canals/Levees –
Certify the Natomas Internal Drainage Canals/Levees to the 100-year and 200-year Level. DOU has contracted to provide the evaluation and recertification of the interior levees in the Natomas Basin.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 45]
• Utilities • County of
Sacramento
Department of
Water Resources
• Sutter County,
Reclamation
District 1000
Phase 2
A-3-15: Drainage Projects from the City’s Priority
Drainage Project List – Many potential drainage projects that have been identified in the City’s Drainage Master Plans and have been prioritized on a Basin Master Planning and Improvement Projects priority list. These projects
include upsizing pipelines, adding detention basins, adding pipelines, retrofitting pump stations, and land acquisition.
These projects are ranked by priority.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 46]
• Utilities • Youth, Parks,
and Community
Enrichment
Phase 1
162 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-16: Projects Identified in the Combined Sewer
System Improvement Plan Update – Identified projects
were categorized into storage and conveyance. The storage projects are located upstream or downstream of local
flooding areas and are intended to detain flows until the CSS has re-generated capacity (i.e., peak of the storm has passed and HGL in the system has receded from peak
conditions) and the storage facilities can be dewatered. The storage projects can be linear or parcel based. Conveyance projects would generally be located in proximity to or just downstream of localized flooding areas. Their objective would generally be to convey peak flows from and through the flood-prone areas to points downstream with greater capacity. The analysis carefully considered whether the increased conveyance had the potential to cause or
exacerbate downstream flooding. If that was determined
to be true, the conveyance project(s) were combined with upstream or downstream storage projects to mitigate the downstream flood exacerbation risk. Conveyance projects included upsizing existing pipes or constructing new pipes.
Where baseline flooding occurred in a location with no
opportunities for storage, a new pipe was sized to convey the 10-year storm design peak flows to the downstream
system. Factors such as ground cover requirements, rightof-way width, and existing system pipe invert elevations (to which linear storage facilities must connect) were factored into the storage configurations.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 47]
• Utilities • Wastewater and
Storm Drain
Engineering
Program
Phase 1
A-3-17: Easements for Open Land Along Levees –
Analysis of current levee easements and setback to
determine where additional and future easements will be needed. Develop a method and funding source to acquire
the needed easements and open space to meet the ULDC
standards.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 48]
• Utilities • Community
Development
• Sacramento Area
Flood Control
Agency
Phase 1
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
163
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-18: Flood Fighting Equipment – Purchase flood
fighting equipment such as a utility landing craft, long reach excavator, and the truck (tractor) trailer.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 50]
• Utilities,
Operations
and
Maintenance
Phase 1
A-3-19: Flood Management Land Use Planning and
Development – Implementation of the land use planning
and development action items outlined in the City of
Sacramento’s Comprehensive Flood Management Plan.
Highlighted projects include 200-year floodplain ordinance and projection plan, development guidelines for rescue and evacuation areas, City Code update for new development
adjacent to levees.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 51]
• Utilities • Youth, Parks,
and Community
Enrichment
Phase 1
A-3-20: Florin Creek Pump at Pomegranate Avenue –
Construction of a relief pipeline and a pump station near Pomegranate Avenue.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 52]
• Utilities Phase 1
A-3-21: Internal Drainage System Improvements
– Implementation of the internal drainage system
improvements outlined in the City of Sacramento’s
Comprehensive Flood Management Plan. Highlighted
projects include development of a grant program to fund drainage improvements, develop an Engineering Services
efficiency plan, work on the passage of Proposition 218 drainage fee increase, and drainage master planning.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 53]
• Utilities Phase 1
A-3-22: Levee and Structural Flood Management
Improvements – Implementation of the levee and
structural improvement action items outlined in the City of Sacramento’s Comprehensive Flood Management Plan.
Highlighted projects include support of local efforts to improve flood facilities, plan and implement modernization phase of levee accreditation and ULDC, and participate in the Regional Flood Management Plan.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 54]
• Utilities • Community
Development
• Sacramento Area
Flood Control
Agency
Phase 1
164 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-3-23: Master planning to identify facilities needed
to prevent 10-year event street flooding and 100-
year event structure flooding – Develop master plans
to identify facilities needed to prevent 10-year event
street flooding and 100-year event structure flooding
in areas of the City that do not currently have master
planning. Prioritize the projects and formulate timeline for the identified projects. Execute the projects to provide protection from flooding.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 55]
• Utilities • Wastewater and
Storm Drain
Engineering
Program
Phase 1
A-3-24: Multi-Jurisdictional Modeling for Drainage
Watersheds Greater than 10 Square Miles – Development
of a unified model for each watershed that extends over jurisdictional lines. The model would be maintained to
reflect changes to the watershed, including development. [Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 59]
• Sacramento
Area Flood
Control
Agency
• Utilities
• County of
Sacramento
Department of
Water Resources
Phase 1
A-3-25: Stabilization of Erosion Hazard Areas – This
project will include the identification and mitigation
of erosion sites along the Sacramento river and other
rivers in the region that pose a threat to levees and raise flooding concerns.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 63]
• California
Department
of Water
Resources
• City of
Sacramento
• County of
Sacramento
• US Army Corps
of Engineers
Phase 1
A-3-26: Flood Resilient Design Techniques – The City shall update design guidelines, standards, and the municipal
code to promote building materials and site design
techniques that minimize the disruption of and speed
recovery from flood impacts.
[New Proposed Action]
• Community
Development
Phase 2
A-3.27: Green Infrastructure – Identify opportunities,
where feasible and consistent with the park site plan
without reducing programmable parkland acreage, to add
green infrastructure in parks and open space, including trees, to improve flood mitigation capacity in flood
prone areas.
[New Proposed Action]
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
A-3.28: Acquire New Open Space – Assess Opportunities
to acquire new open space and parkland in flood prone and repetitive loss areas of the city.
[New Proposed Action]
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
• Utilities Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
165
GOAL A-4: Increase awareness of and expand community
resources to address the adverse health effects of air
pollution.
16. CARB Review of the Sacramento Regional NAAQS 8-Hour Ozone attainment and reasonable further progress plan, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/ sites/default/files/2021-02/Sacramento%20Region%20Final%20Staff%20Report.pdf.
17. Dmitri A. Kalashnikov, et al, “Increasing co-occurrence of fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone extremes in the western United States,” Science Advances 8, no. 1 (January 5, 2022), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357631913_Increasing_co-occurrence_of_ fine_particulate_matter_and_ground-level_ozone_extremes_in_the_western_United_States.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate
air pollution in Sacramento from both wildfires and other sources. Although a wildfire is unlikely to break out within Sacramento,
smoke from wildfires occurring throughout
the region can indirectly impact the entire city
with elevated particulate matter (PM) pollution.
Moreover, ozone pollution remains a critical air
quality challenge in the Sacramento region,
which is a non-attainment area for the federal
8-hour ozone standard.16 Both wildfire smoke
and increasing numbers of hot, sunny days
can contribute to greater ozone formation.17
Increasing adaptation to wildfire smoke and
other air pollution is a priority for the City of
Sacramento due to the numerous populations
that are vulnerable to air pollution, and the lack
of existing adaptive capacity.
Alignment with Mayors’
Commission on Climate Change
The Mayors' Commission on Climate Change
made recommendations on community health
and resilience that are addressed in the actions
supporting this goal. Specifically, actions A-6.2
and A-6.3 under this goal will raise awareness
in the community of how to prepare for and
respond to wildfire smoke events.
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation JobCreation
Environmental
Quality
166 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Supporting General
Plan Policies
The following 2040 General Plan policies
support the goal to increase awareness of and
expand community resources to address the
adverse health effects of air pollution:
EJ-1-1: Air Quality Monitoring. The City shall
collaborate with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) to support the expansion of air
quality monitoring efforts in Sacramento,
prioritizing locations in the north and
south of the city that have been identified
with community input as a high priority
for air pollution control initiatives.
EJ-1-3: Data-Informed Efforts. The City shall
collaborate with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), community organizations,
and other stakeholders, and use air quality monitoring data to inform area-specific improvement actions outside of AB 617-related efforts. Such actions may
include the following:
• Prioritizing areas for the installation
of indoor air filtration rated MERV 13
or greater in existing buildings containing sensitive populations; • Prioritizing areas for capital investments with co-benefits for air quality, such as planting trees, planting vegetation barriers along high-volume roadways, and installing electric
vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure;
• Integrating air quality improvement
actions into planning efforts, such
as new specific plans, master plans,
or area plans that will guide development in impacted areas; or • Limiting the establishment of new sources
of air pollutants in areas with elevated
levels of pollutant concentrations unless
appropriate mitigation is implemented.
ERC-4-1: Regional Coordination. The City
shall support air quality planning efforts
led by other local, regional, and State
agencies while simultaneously leveraging
City authority and resources to focus on
reducing air pollution burden in disadvantaged communities.
ERC-4-2: Air Quality Awareness. The City shall
cooperate with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), Sacramento Area Council
of Governments (SACOG), Sacramento
Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and
other groups to promote public access to
air quality monitoring data and awareness
about impacts of indoor and outdoor air
quality on health and protective strategies.
ERC-4-3: Project Design. The City shall promote the incorporation of new technologies, materials, and design and construction techniques in private development projects that minimize air pollution, noise,
excess heat, and other forms of pollution
and its impacts.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
167
Actions and Implementation
The following proposed actions drawn from the 2040 General Plan and adopted 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan support the goal of increasing awareness of and expanding community resources to address the adverse health effects of air pollution:
Action Lead Agency Support Phase
A-4-1: Air Filtration Systems – The City shall explore
opportunities to accelerate the installation of air
filtration systems in existing buildings in partnerships with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District
(SMAQMD) and other partners in the Sacramento
region. Schools, nursing homes, and other sensitive
uses within disadvantaged communities (DACs) and
areas most affected by air quality issues should be
prioritized.
[General Plan EJ-Action 2]
• Office of
Climate
Action and
Sustainability
• Community
Development
• Public Works Phase 1
A-4-2: Implement a Fire Education and Information
Program – Implement an urban-wildfire safety
program using materials for the community.
Train educators and inspectors, identifies high
risk neighborhoods and buildings, and develop
agreed-upon, area specific solutions to fire issues.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 64]
• Sacramento
Fire
Department
Phase 1
A-4-3: Outreach on the Effects of Smoke on Air
Quality – The purpose of the project is to educate
Sacramento residents on the effects of smoke in the air and provide resources to check the air quality in their area. This will be carried out via social and network
media. The city will utilize its social media pages and radio to convey knowledge and resources residents
can use to know when to use precaution. The project
will also provide helpful tips to decrease the impacts
of poor air quality in their homes and through the
daily routines.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 66]
• Sacramento
Fire
Department
• Public
Information
Office
• Spare the Air
Sacramento
Region
Phase 1
168 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
GOAL A-5: Increase community resilience to prepare for
climate impacts.
Two pillars of disaster preparedness include
community readiness and adequacy of City
resources and services. The City seeks to
provide a multitude of community resources,
including resources specific to linguistically
isolated and special needs populations, that
help enhance general public awareness.
Public safety services are also maintained and
regularly assessed. However, the impacts of
climate change will increase demand for City
services and the need for disaster preparedness. Existing community programs and City resources can be more effectively implemented
to align these efforts with the greatest needs.
Building an information and support network
of community preparedness can be a powerful
tool for adaptive capacity that decreases the
dependence on City emergency services.
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation JobCreation
Environmental
Quality
Supporting General
Plan Policies
The following 2040 General Plan policies
support the goal to increase community
resilience investments to prepare for climate
disaster events:
ERC-8-7: Extreme Heat Education. The City
should work with community organizations and the Office of Emergency Management to provide information and services to residents to manage heat.
ERC-8-8: Heat Waves. The City shall work with
labor organizations, the business community, and County and State health and safety agencies to publicize programs
and standards for preventing heat-related
illness in employees who work outdoors
and publicize precautions for preventing
heat-related illness during heat waves.
ERC-8-9: Cooling Centers. The City shall continue to open and operate City Cooling Centers in coordination with Office of
Emergency Management during extreme
heat events.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
169
ERC-9-7: Emergency Power. The City shall
evaluate options for ensuring emergency
power at critical and community facilities such as resiliency hubs, including the following:
• Microgrids,
• Solar capture and storage,
• Distributed energy, and
• Back-up generators.
The City should consider the ability to
reduce utility costs and carbon emissions
in the assessment.
ERC-9-11: Neighborhood Resilience. The City
shall facilitate and coordinate with community organizations for the development of neighborhood-level resilience plans to
improve initial emergency response, subsequent recovery, and ongoing self-sufficiency throughout the city. The City should provide resources, training, and
information, prioritizing disadvantaged
communities (DACs) and vulnerable areas
of the city for creation of these plans.
PFS-2-1: Hazard Mitigation Planning. The
City shall continue to use the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Comprehensive Floodplain Management Plan, Emergency
Operations Plan, and Operational Area
Plan to guide actions and investments
addressing disasters such as flooding, dam
or levee failure, hazardous material spills,
epidemics, fires, extreme weather, major
transportation accidents, earthquakes,
and terrorism.
PFS-2-2: Critical Infrastructure. The City shall
protect and maintain critical infrastructure
such as emergency shelters, fire stations,
police stations, emergency operations
centers, communications networks, and
other emergency service facilities and utilities to ensure continuity of essential operations, including, but not limited to, uninterrupted public safety services, during flooding, seismic, geologic, wildfire, and
other hazards.
PFS-2-3: Evacuation Routes. The City shall
partner with Caltrans and neighboring
jurisdictions on measures to protect critical evacuation routes such as I-5, I-80, Highway 50, and State Route 99 and work
with local agencies to develop contingency plans for operations when these and other roads are inoperable due to
flooding or wildfire.
PFS-2-4: Post-Disaster Response. The City
shall plan for the continuity of operations
for critical facilities following a disaster to
help prevent interruption of emergency
response related to life, property, and
environment preservation.
PFS-2-5: Community-wide Resilience. The
City shall plan to accommodate the whole
community during disaster preparedness,
response, and recovery, including members of at-risk populations with access and functional needs concerns.
PFS-2-6: Emergency Operations Center. The
City shall ensure operational readiness of
the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
and coordinate applicable training to EOC
assigned staff.
PFS-2-7: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Exercises. The City shall coordinate with local and regional jurisdictions on an
ongoing basis to conduct emergency and
disaster preparedness exercises to test
operational and emergency plans.
170 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
PFS-2-8: Emergency Preparedness Programs. The City shall sponsor and support educational programs regarding emergency response, disaster preparedness protocols and procedures, and disaster
risk reduction.
PFS-2-9: Neighborhood Preparedness.
Encourage community-based approaches
to emergency preparedness and response,
especially in higher-risk communities
with more significant barriers to personal mobility, transportation, and other resources necessary for disaster response.
PFS-2-10: Sacramento Alert. The City shall
promote and encourage participation
in Sacramento Alert, the regional early
warning notification system used to notify
residents by phone, text, or email of the
need to evacuate or shelter-in-place in the
event of an emergency and the location of
evacuation centers.
HCR-1-9: Disaster Preparedness. The City
shall seek to minimize or avoid adverse
impacts to historic and cultural resources
from natural disasters. To this end, the City
shall promote seismic safety, flood protection, and other building retrofit programs that preserve, enhance, and protect these
resources consistent with their historic
design character.
Actions and Implementation
The following 2040 General Plan and 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan implementation actions support the goal to increase community resilience investments to prepare for climate disaster events:
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-1: CERT Training – The City shall expand
the Community Emergency Response Training
(CERT) program to address community and
neighborhood preparedness for climate impacts.
Pilot implementation of the updated program
in disadvantaged communities and areas with
populations most vulnerable to climate impacts.
[General Plan ERC-Action 3]
• Sacramento
Fire
Department
Phase 2
A-5-2: Post-Disaster Plan – The City shall develop
a plan for post-disaster demolition and repair that
protects historic resources against unnecessary loss of historic fabric and speculative demolitions.
[General Plan HCR-Action 5]
• Community
Development
Department
Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
171
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-3: Enhance Public Education and Awareness
of Natural Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness – A comprehensive multihazard outreach program will ascertain both broad and targeted educational needs throughout the
community. The City will work with the County and
other agencies as appropriate to develop timely and
consistent annual outreach messages in order to
communicate the risk and vulnerability of natural
hazards of concern to the community. This includes
measures the public can take to be better prepared
and to reduce the damages and other impacts from a
hazard event. The public outreach effort will leverage
and build upon existing mechanisms.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 2]
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Sacramento
County
Phase 1
A-5-4: Maintain and Identify Changes in Critical
Facilities GIS Layer to Support Emergency
Management Efforts – Businesses, schools, EMS
Services or any other identified critical facilities will have contact information collected and mapped
for analyzing and preparation for the Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan. Protection of critical infrastructure are supported by City Ordinance 2020-0009.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 4]
• City GIS
Technical
Group
• Utilities
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• County of
Sacramento
Office of
Emergency
Services
Phase 2
A-5-5: Community Outreach on Multi Hazard
Preparation & Pre-mitigation – Continue to
maintain and improve webpage that addresses the
multi-hazard threat and add measures for preparation
and pre-mitigation. Continue to participate and host
many community outreach events associated with
Hazard awareness and preparation. These events
include: “Capitol Action Day”, “Flood Preparedness
Week”, “Highwater Jamboree” Annual Flood
Preparedness Event and visiting neighborhood
meetings and community events to share
preparedness information.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 5]
• Utilities • Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 2
172 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-6: Multi-lingual Disaster Education – Develop
Public Service Announcements, educational videos, a
social media campaign, and other material in a variety
of languages to provide our diverse community with
information on how to develop a personal/family
safety plan.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 9]
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Utilities
• Community
Development
Phase 1
A-5-7: Develop a Disaster Housing Plan – Develop
a Disaster Housing Plan to identify potential
disaster housing partners and outline the principles,
practices, and implementation phase of such a plan.
Supplement with OEM Emergency Operations Plan
and Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 13]
• Community
Development
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Office of
Innovation
and Economic
Development
Phase 2
A-5-8: Disaster Resistant Business Program –
Provide materials and administrative support for a
comprehensive Business Continuity Planning (BCP)
program, to include presentations to business,
non-profits and professional groups, Chamber of
Commerce events, etc. The program would include
a one-day event with an overview on developing
a Business Continuity Plan and breakout sessions
addressing specific BCP issues.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 14]
• City of
Sacramento
• Local Business
Partners
Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
173
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-9: Develop Enhanced Emergency Planning
for Special Needs Populations in the City of
Sacramento Emergency Operations Plan and
Other Planning Documents – By working with local
advocacy groups, and by identifying weaknesses
and gaps in the City’s emergency planning, the
increased capabilities of the enhanced plan will
enable emergency responders to more effectively
support the most vulnerable segment of the
population. Access and Functional Needs (AFN) is
included throughout the Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP) and Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan. OEM continues
to meet with AFN leaders to ensure accessibility
and inclusion are maintained in compliance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act. OEM plans are
updated on a continuous basis and ensure that AFN is
included throughout the entirety of the plan. Efforts
to strengthen inclusivity continues as OEM networks
and attends trainings, seminars, and events pertaining
to AFN and diversity.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 15]
• County of
Sacramento
Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 1
A-5-10: Establish a Post-Disaster Action Plan –
Establish a City post-disaster action plan that outlines the procedures for public information, post-disaster
damage assessment, code enforcement, financial
recovery, and redundant operations. Continue to
update the plan.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 16]
• Office of
Emergency
Services
• Utilities
• Community
Development
Phase 1
174 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-11: Construction of a New Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) – Build and equip a
new Emergency Operations Center, to replace the
inadequate EOC currently located in the city of
Sacramento’s dispatch center. The new facility would
be developed to FEMA 361 standards. Grant funding
would be used to supplement normal construction
costs with the additional cost for increasing the
armoring of the facility to meet the FEMA 361
standards for Community SafeRooms.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 19]
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Public Works Phase 2
A-5-12: Emergency Operation Center (EOC)
Expansion and Information Technology Upgrade
– Improvements to the City’s current EOC is
necessary to meet the demands of a large-scale
natural disaster. The facility has size limitations that will restrict the amount of personnel located in the
same room. Potentially units will have to operate in
separate rooms or buildings which would reduce
real-time communications. Also, the facility needs
improvements on the usability of the information
technology infrastructure. A network separate from
the police dispatch’s system is needed. Currently
there is a shared network which has high security
restrictions. The security restrictions make it difficult for a city employee to sign in at the EOC and be fully
functional.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 20]
• Office of
Emergency
Management
(Budget,
Grants)
• Public Works
• Information
Technology
Phase 2
A-5-13: Regional Emergency and Disaster
Preparedness Exercises to Test Operational
& Emergency Plans – Conduct regional, multiagency emergency and disaster preparedness exercises to test operational and emergency plans.
Tests will include levee or dam failure and other
natural hazards.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 23]
• County of
Sacramento
Office of
Emergency
Services
• Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 1
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
175
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-14: Special Needs and Critical Facilities
Database and Advanced Warning System –
Through outreach activities, develop a database of
vulnerable population groups and critical facilities in need of advance warning or evacuation assistance.
Development and implementation of an advanced
warning procedure. Successful programs have been
developed in Houston, San Antonio and Florida
and could serve as a model for implementation and
personnel training.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 24]
• Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 1
A-5-15: Emergency Notification and Evacuation
Planning – Enhancements to the existing Reverse 911
system to more effectively notify mass populations of
evacuation orders and routes, consistent with FEMA
guidelines, identifying special needs communities
and transportation providers, targeted outreach
to maximize the capabilities of Reverse 911, and
strategic training to assure effective deployment of
the enhanced capabilities.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 43]
• County of
Sacramento
Office of
Emergency
Services
Phase 1
A-5-16: Emergency Management Planning and
Levee Security – Implementation of the emergency
management and levee security action items outlined
in the City of Sacramento’s Comprehensive Flood
Management Plan. Highlighted projects include
continued National Incident Management System
(NIMS) and Standardized Emergency Management
System (SEMS) exercises and training, creation of a
disaster housing plan, increased public education and
alerts efforts, development of an intergovernmental
flood management and control standards, annual
review of the Levee Security Plan, and improvement
of flood warning systems.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 49]
• Utilities • Office of
Emergency
Management
• Other
maintaining
agencies
responsible of
levee systems
within the
region
Phase 2
176 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-17: Risk Communication and National Flood
Insurance Program/Community Rating System
Projects – Implement the risk communication
and NFIP/CRS action items outlined in the City of
Sacramento’s Comprehensive Flood Management
Plan. Highlighted projects include implementation
of the City’s Program of Public Information, develop
Flood Response PPI projects, increase freeboard
development to two feet, write a Levee Failure
Response Plan for Critical Facilities, and sign a
Memorandum of Agreement with the County of
Sacramento for flood control planning of the South
Sacramento County Streams.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 57]
• Utilities • Community
Development
• County of
Sacramento
Office of
Emergency
Services
• Office of
Emergency
Management
Phase 1
A-5-18: Resilience Platform – Create a centralized,
easily accessible platform that compiles resources
and serves as a “one-stop-shop” for residents to learn
more about and access community resources. In
recognition of equity gaps like the digital divide and
in an effort to reach all segments of the community,
this platform should be available in multiple
languages and marketed most effectively as a multimedia hybrid. [New Proposed Action]
• City Manager’s
Office
• Community
Development
• Public Works
• Utilities
• Sacramento
Metropolitan
Utilities
District
Phase 2
A-5-19: City Resiliency Centers – Develop a strategy
to optimize existing City-owned community centers
and libraries for dual use as resiliency centers which
provide resources to the community related to
climate change impacts such as cooling, enhanced
air filtration, on-site solar power and backup storage, vehicle charging, and supportive programming
and services. Evaluate cost-benefits, infrastructure
feasibility, and funding opportunities, and prepare a
list of priority facilities as funding becomes available.
Develop a resilience communications strategy that
integrates Resilience Centers with the City’s regular
and emergency communication strategies.
[New Proposed Action]
• City Manager’s
Office
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Public Works
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
177
Action Lead Support Phase
A-5-20: Coordinated Regional Resiliency Centers
– In collaboration with Sacramento Municipal Utility
District (SMUD), other local and regional agencies,
and community groups, develop a strategy for
coordinated regional resiliency centers, including
the prioritization of technology, cost-benefit
and operations and maintenance information,
partnerships, and project approaches. Seek to
prioritize efforts that support vulnerable populations
region-wide during climatic events.
[New Proposed Action]
• City Manager’s
Office
• Office of
Emergency
Management
• Public Works;
• Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
• Community
Development
Phase 2
A-5-21: Resilient Transportation Infrastructure
– Conduct an assessment of infrastructure at risk
from flooding and climate impacts and prioritize
improvements to those facilities that are most critical and at greatest risk.
[New Proposed Action]
• Public Works Phase 2
178 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
GOAL A-6: Enhance water supply diversification
and prioritize water use efficiency to build
resilience to the effects of climate change.
California water suppliers and public agencies
have worked toward the goals and targets
established by the 2009 Water Conservation
Act (SB X7-7) and the 2018 Making Water
Conservation a California Way of Life framework, which emphasize the need to improve statewide water conservation and drought
planning to help prepare California for longer,
more intense droughts caused by climate
change. Changes in precipitation patterns and
reduced snowpack are compounded with the
impact of drought on Sacramento’s climate and
put greater strains on water resources. Beyond
water supply, drought conditions also threaten
environmental quality and public health and
safety. Drought can increase concentration of
industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and agricultural runoff contaminants in groundwater, with greatest risk of exposure in communities living
near these pollution sources. Soil drying and
weakening caused by long-lasting droughts
can compromise levee integrity. Drought can
also weaken Sacramento’s urban forest and kill
trees that are needed for cooling and urban
heat island mitigation. There are many recent
regional efforts and more underway to address
some of these risks, and Sacramento’s leadership in providing relief for the city’s vulnerable populations can broaden capacity for adaptation to drought.
Co-Benefits
Public
Health
Community
Cost Savings Adaptation JobCreation
Environmental
Quality
Supporting General
Plan Policies
The following 2040 General Plan policies
support the goal to enhance water supply
diversification and prioritize water use efficiency to build resilience to the effects of climate change:
ERC-5-1: Active Water Conservation Program. The City shall continue to implement an active water conservation program to enhance the efficient use of the resource, consistent with State law, the
objectives of the Climate Action and
Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and the Water
Conservation Plan. To achieve State-mandated water conservation standards, the City shall monitor use, conduct studies,
and research, develop, and implement
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
179
incentives and programs to increase
water efficiency and/or reduce water consumption. When implementing the Water Conservation Program, a prioritization of
program elements that enhance water
affordability and promote livability in the
City will be a factor.
ERC-5-2: Reducing Storm Runoff. The City
shall encourage project designs that minimize drainage concentrations, minimize impervious coverage, utilize pervious
paving materials, utilize low impact development (LID) strategies, and utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce
stormwater runoff.
ERC-5-3: Water Efficiency Training. The City
shall support the development of partnerships and collaborations to train and educate City staff, maintenance professionals, designers, contractors, and property managers about water efficiency.
ERC-5-4: Municipal Energy and Water Efficiency. The City shall continue to implement energy and water conservation measures in City facilities and operations,
conducting municipal energy benchmarking on City facilities in an effort to continually improve municipal energy efficiency.
ERC-5-5: Publicize Voluntary Programs. The
City shall connect businesses and residents with voluntary programs that provide energy and water efficiency audits, retrofit installations, rebates, and financing assistance by publishing information on the City's website.
ERC-5-7: On-site Water Reuse. The City shall
explore the feasibility of on-site reuse of
greywater and blackwater for end uses
such as toilet flushing and irrigation to
offset supplies of potable water and
support more resilient and sustainable
water management.
PFS-3-2: Utility Sustainability. The City shall
continue to improve the sustainability,
resilience, and energy efficiency of its facilities, infrastructure, and operations consistent with the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
PFS-4-2: Water Supply Sustainability. The
City shall maintain a surface water/
groundwater conjunctive use program,
which uses more surface water when it is
available and more groundwater when
surface water is limited.
PFS-4-4: Groundwater Infrastructure. The
City shall maintain investment in groundwater infrastructure to provide for water supply reliability. Groundwater sustainability, cost effectiveness, and the quality of the resource shall be factored into groundwater investments.
PFS-4-5: Comprehensive Water Supply Planning. The City shall prepare and implement an Urban Water Management Plan, updating it on a 5-year cycle, to ensure a
reliable, long-term water supply and service under projected future conditions.
PFS-4-6: Recycled Water. The City shall continue to monitor the feasibility of utilizing recycled water where appropriate, cost effective, safe, and environmentally
sustainable.
180 07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
Actions and Implementation
The following 2040 General Plan and 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan implementation actions support the goal to enhance water supply diversification and prioritize water use efficiency:
Action Lead Support Phase
A-6-1: On-site Non-Potable Water Reuse – The City
shall assess the feasibility of requiring on-site water reuse for new commercial development.
[General Plan PFS-Action 5]
• Utilities • Community
Development
Department
Phase 2
A-6-2: Perform a Groundwater Recharge Feasibility
Study – Perform a groundwater recharge feasibility
study to determine the most cost-effective way to
replenish groundwater resources within Sacramento.
[Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Action 34]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-6-3: Water Conservation Resources and
Incentives – Implement innovative water
conservation programs and provide incentives to
support water conservation such as leak repair
assistance, landscape design assistance, rebates
for turf conversions, irrigation upgrades, smart
controllers, high-efficiency fixtures and appliances for the City's residents and businesses.
[New Proposed Action]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-6-4: Implement Groundwater Well
Replacement Program – As recommended in the
City’s Groundwater Master Plan, replace up to 38
groundwater extraction wells within the City’s water
service area to allow the City to reliably meet its
long-term water supply demands.
[New Proposed Action]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-6-5: Modify Water Treatment Technologies –
Modify water treatment technologies to adapt to
changing source water quality conditions.
[New Proposed Action]
• Utilities Phase 2
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
07. Adaptation > Goals, Policies, and Actions
181
Action Lead Support Phase
A-6-6: Support Regional Groundwater Bank
Programs – Continue to collaborate with regional
water agencies and local partners to support
groundwater bank programs including the
Sacramento Regional Water Bank, RiverArc, Alder
Creek Reservoir and Conservation Project, and Folsom
Dam Raise with Groundwater Banking.
[New Proposed Action]
• Utilities Phase 1
A-6-7: Diversify Surface Water Supply – Evaluate
additional diversification of surface water supply
to shift supplies to the Sacramento River, including
collaboration with other partners to increase regional
and system flexibilities, enhance water reliability, and benefit the ecosystem of the lower American River.
[New Proposed Action]
• Utilities Phase 2
A-6-8: Water Resiliency – Construct water
resiliency projects including the Groundwater Well
Replacement Program
[New Proposed Action]
• Utilities • Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Phase 2
Surface Water is Treated at the E.A. Fairbairn and Sacramento River Water Treatment Plants. 182
183
SECTION
IMPLEMENTATION AND
MONITORING
1. CEQA Guidelines § 15183.5, paragraphs (b)(D)-(E)
Sacramento’s CAAP identifies measures and
actions that have been designed to achieve
GHG emissions reductions consistent with the
City’s 2030 climate action target and make substantial progress towards achieving the 2045 goal of carbon neutrality. As a qualified GHG
reduction plan (explained in Chapter 1),
Sacramento’s CAAP is required to specify performance standards for measures and actions, establish a mechanism to monitor the plan’s
progress towards achieving its climate action
targets, and include the requirement for
amendment if the plan does not demonstrate
achievement of its climate action targets.1 Sacramento Sidewalk
08. Photo by Carlos Eliason
184 08. Implementation and Monitoring >
While the measures and the supportive evidence presented in Appendix C scientifically demonstrate that the CAAP’s actions can yield
the necessary GHG emissions reductions to
achieve the 2030 climate action target, achievement of the targets also requires action from City staff and the community to ensure that the
CAAP is being implemented, progress and
lessons learned are being tracked, and the
CAAP is being updated on a regular basis.
Implementation progress will be monitored via
two pathways:
1. Evaluation of the implementation progress of
each action and measure metric; and
2. Calculation of future GHG emissions utilizing
activity data obtained from Sacramento’s
utility providers, City databases, and comparison of the results to Sacramento’s climate action targets.
This chapter details Sacramento’s approach
to implementing and monitoring the CAAP
to ensure actual GHG reductions are achieved
in line with the City’s climate action targets
and demonstrates alignment with the CAAP
for CEQA streamlining of future development projects.
Tower Bridge at Sunset
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
08. Implementation and Monitoring > Implementation Approach 185
Implementation
Approach
The City’s Community Development
Department Planning Division will lead the
monitoring effort among various City departments and the CAAP’s partners (e.g., SMUD, SacRT), in coordination with the City Manager’s
Office of Climate Action & Sustainability, to
drive implementation of each CAAP action
over the next 10 years. Implementation
will also occur through alignment of future
development projects with the measures
and actions contained in the CAAP, primarily
through the CEQA “tiering” process explained
in Chapter 1. Each CAAP action was vetted
via a comprehensive feedback process that
involved relevant City departments, community
stakeholders, and Sacramento business owners
and residents, as described in Chapter 4.
Strategies also build on the recommendations
of the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change.
This process has well positioned the City to
implement each of the actions in the CAAP, in
partnership with the necessary partners and
community groups. Implementation will be
results-driven and informed by regular monitoring, reporting, and learning, so that the City can adjust the implementation approach
if Sacramento does not see demonstrated and
steady progress towards measure goals and
the City’s climate action targets. The roles and
responsibilities of the City, its partners, and the
Sacramento community are identified below.
IMPLEMENTATION ROLES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
While CAAP implementation will be coordinated and driven primarily by the City and its partners (as identified for each action in
Chapter 6 and Chapter 7), the community, local businesses, and residents also have roles to play in maximizing the CAAP’s
effectiveness.
City Role
The City is directly responsible for updating
and administering building codes, City services, and programs, developing ordinances, fostering partnerships, securing funding,
such as grants, for applicable projects, maintaining and expanding public infrastructure, and implementing a number of infrastructure
improvements (e.g., publicly accessible EV
charging infrastructure, bicycle, and pedestrian
infrastructure) associated with the CAAP measures and actions. As policies and programs are developed and infrastructure is constructed in
alignment with the CAAP, City staff will engage
the Sacramento community on associated
opportunities, programs, or requirements. As
part of its CAAP outreach commitment, the City
will also continue to engage communities, particularly low-income and historically under-resourced communities, to avoid unintended impacts and ensure that CAAP implementation
supports a more equitable city. A summary of
each City department’s measure implementation responsibilities is shown in Table 8-1. 186 08. Implementation and Monitoring > Implementation Approach Table 8-1. Primary City Department Measure Implementation Responsibilities Community
Development Department Public Works Department Utilities Measure E-2: Eliminate natural
gas in new construction.
Measure TR-1: Improve active
transportation infrastructure to
achieve 6% active transportation
mode share by 2030 and
12% by 2045.
Measure E-1: Support SMUD
as it implements the 2030 Zero
Carbon Plan
Measure E-3: Transition natural
gas in existing buildings to
carbon-free electricity by 2045.
Measure TR-2: Support public
transit improvements to achieve
11% public transit mode share by
2030 and maintain through 2045.
Measure WW-1: Reduce water
utility emissions (in MT CO2e
per million gallon delivered) by
100% by 2030 and maintain that
through 2045.
Measure E-4: Increase the amount
of electricity produced from
local resources and work with
SMUD to install additional local
storage by 2030.
Measure TR-3: Achieve zeroemission vehicle (ZEV) adoption rates of 28% for passenger
vehicles and 22% for commercial
vehicles by 2030 and 100% for all
vehicles by 2045.
Measure WW-2: Reduce
wastewater emissions by 22%
by 2030 and 40% by 2045.
Measure W-1: Work to reduce
organic waste disposal 75% below
2014 levels by 2025.
Measure CS-1: Increase urban tree
canopy cover to 25% by 2030 and
35% by 2045.
This table provides a summary of the primary City Department in charge of measure implementation; City Departments with supportive roles (e.g., City of Sacramento Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment and City Manager's Office of Innovation & Economic Development (OIED)) are detailed in Chapter 6, GHG Reduction Actions.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
08. Implementation and Monitoring > Implementation Approach 187
Partner Role
While the City holds the primary responsibility for driving implementation of the CAAP, local partners, including local utilities, special
districts, regional jurisdictions, businesses,
community-based organizations and other
local groups, and the community at large, are
in many cases better positioned to implement
CAAP actions. For example, SacRT has responsibility for public transit in Sacramento and is best positioned to improve transit. Similarly,
SMUD has responsibility as the public utility
for electricity service and already has a suite of
established rebate programs and other funding
options for electrification and efficiency projects. While the City’s Urban Forestry Division in Public Works is responsible for street trees,
the Sacramento Tree Foundation is already
doing work to increase canopy cover in the City
outside of the public right-of-way. Through the
partnerships fostered by the City, key CAAP
partners will take the lead on implementing
measures and actions in their realm of responsibility and expertise. They may conduct outreach to the community, develop incentives and rebates, or even fund community infrastructure or improvements. The following provides a summary of primary partners, with
specific information provided on the role of
businesses, community-based organizations,
and residents.
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
• Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality
Management District (SMAQMD)
• Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT)
• Sacramento County
• Sacramento Regional Sanitation
District (Regional San)
• Sacramento Regional Water Authority (RWA)
• Private industry and third-party operators (e.g.,
EV charging network companies, shared ridable
operators, and other zero-emission mobility
program operators like car share companies)
Children Recreating
Photo by Carlos Eliason
188 08. Implementation and Monitoring > Implementation Approach Business Role
Businesses in Sacramento will need to build
new services and update skills to address new
technologies supported by the CAAP like electric appliances and cars. Businesses, including the development community, will also need
to adopt these technologies themselves and
utilize programs and incentives to upgrade
their buildings and equipment as they become
available. The CAAP additionally represents
opportunities for workforce development in
Sacramento, associated with electric technologies. Some of the highest priority actions businesses can take to support implementation of the CAAP are included in Chapter 9.
Community-Based Organizations
Community-based organizations (CBO) are
essential to a successful climate action implementation process, because they aim to make real change in the community’s overall health
and well-being and provide an avenue of trust
that invites diverse members of the community
to the table, allowing their voices to be heard.
In general, CBOs are public or private nonprofit
organizations that are representative of a community or significant segments of a community that provides educational or related services to
individuals in the community.2 The primary role
of CBOs is to advocate for the diverse needs of
the community, proactively and thoughtfully
share information, and actively work to provide
boots on the ground support for various initiatives that are important to the specific community that they represent. Multiple local CBOs
2. Cornell Law School. (n.d.). Definition: Community-based organization from 20 USC § 7801(5). LII / Legal Information Institute. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/7801#5 were involved in the development of this CAAP,
and those involved in CAAP implementation
are shown in the tables in Chapter 6.
Resident Role
Residents of Sacramento can enjoy the benefits of the CAAP by utilizing new infrastructure, programs, and incentives to adopt new technologies and behaviors. The CAAP does not establish many requirements for residents, but
instead provides behavioral incentives for residents to adopt lower GHG-emissions activities, like biking instead of driving, or composting
instead of sending organic waste to the landfill.
It will be up to the residents of Sacramento to
adopt these new behaviors once the City and
its partners have removed cost and stress barriers. More information on key actions the community can take to support implementation of the CAAP are found in Chapter 9.
Transit Oriented Development
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
08. Implementation and Monitoring > Funding and Financing Plan 189
Funding and
Financing Plan
Implementation of the CAAP to achieve
Sacramento’s ambitious climate action targets
is contingent on completion of a number of
actions, many of which will require significant
up-front costs, even if they provide long term
cost savings and other benefits. This is especially true for capital-intensive actions related to modernization and infrastructure improvements. However, this CAAP focused on identifying cost-effective measures and actions available to Sacramento. While some measures and actions carry significant costs, other funding
sources or strategies, such as grants or low
interest financing, may be available to reduce
or avoid incremental costs (as defined below)
to the City and the community.
COST CONSIDERATIONS
As part of the climate action planning process,
it is essential to consider the various costs associated with implementing climate action measures and also recognize that there is a very high cost of not implementing a CAAP (see the
Cost of Doing Nothing below). There are many
components to consider when it comes to the
cost of implementing various measures. For
example, costs may refer to the costs to individuals, or to the City. Additionally, there are up-front costs and lifecycle costs that range significantly depending on the specific measure or action and proposed implementation
timeframe. Furthermore, it is understood that
there is a general cost of doing business, and
therefore understanding the incremental costs
of changing the status quo are also important
to recognize to build a foundation of thoughtful decision making. To offset some of the costs, there are a variety of funding opportunities that aim to reduce the up-front financial burden of a jurisdiction for projects that reduce
emissions and/or increase resilience. These
specific funding considerations, including
financing opportunities, are discussed below in
further detail.
Costs to the Individual
versus City
The measures contained in this CAAP come
with both individual and City costs. For
example, electrifying vehicles brings costs to
the individual to buy an EV, and costs to the
City to install EV chargers. The cost to improve
public transit infrastructure is a cost to the City
and SacRT but may save individuals money.
Who bears the cost, and what funding mechanisms are available to offset those costs, were therefore carefully considered as part of the
development of this CAAP.
Up-front versus Lifecycle Costs
When discussing how much a measure or
action costs it is important to differentiate
between up-front costs (e.g., the cost of an LED
light bulb) and lifecycle costs (e.g., purchasing,
operating, maintaining, and ultimately disposing of that lightbulb). While LED lightbulbs may be more expensive up-front when compared
to an incandescent bulb, the lifecycle costs
of owning an LED lightbulb are significantly
lower, providing a significant return on investment over time. 190 08. Implementation and Monitoring > Funding and Financing Plan Incremental Costs
When discussing costs, it is important to specify
the difference between how much a measure
or action costs overall and what the incremental cost is. The incremental cost is the difference in cost between the new action and the old
or standard action. For example, purchasing
a new EV could cost $30,000 up-front,3 which
should be considered a high cost. However, the
incremental cost of purchasing an EV versus
purchasing a new internal combustion vehicle
may be zero or near zero because of up-front
incentives and reduced long-term operating
and maintenance costs including no fluids to
replace, fewer moving parts like transmissions,
and less brake wear. It is important to consider what the incremental costs are for each measure by keeping in mind what the alternative costs are. In many cases, the difference is negligible.4
Financing
One of the major financial tools available to
make large investments in infrastructure,
vehicles, or buildings is public and private
financing. Financing solutions allow for leveraging the time value of money and putting future expected money flows to use today.
For example, a solar array may cost $20,000
and result in an energy bill that is $200 less
per month. The up-front cost of the solar array
3. Inside EVs. 2022. US Electric Car Prices: Cheapest to Most Expensive. Retrieved from https://insideevs.com/news/565883/ electric-car-prices-us-20220207/
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Trancik Lab. 2016. CarbonCounter.com. Retrieved from https://www.carboncounter.com/
5. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. 2021. Why Energy Efficiency Upgrades, from: https://www.energy.gov/eere/ why-energy-efficiency-upgrades
could be considered high. However, the loan
for the solar array requires a monthly payment
of $150 dollars (inclusive of energy costs),
which would still offer a net monthly savings of
$50 dollars. Under this scenario the solar array
does not carry a high cost; rather, it provides
overall savings. The ability to finance can make
seemingly high-cost investments low to no
cost. Additionally, there are grants and federal
rebates available to help offset the entire cost
of solar arrays.
Understanding the ranges of cost savings and
revenue streams, and how those costs and revenues accrue over time into a payback or return on investment (ROI) calculation, are prudent
factors to structuring partnerships, engaging
stakeholders, and making optimal financial
decisions. For example, energy efficiency retrofits can generate cost savings of more than 30 percent for 15 to 20 years.5 If external partners
are involved, such as with an energy savings
performance contract (ESPC), cities may not
need to provide any up-front capital, but the
project’s cost savings would accrue with a
private third party and be lost by the city. The
City must consider the estimated ROI, how
project costs and revenues balance out over
the useful life of the project, and whether they
are willing to forego long-term cost savings
or revenue generation capacity by partnering
with a private third party.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
08. Implementation and Monitoring > Funding and Financing Plan 191
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Finally, doing nothing to prepare for and slow
down climate change will also carry a cost.
Research published in the journal Nature predicts the cost of not decreasing emissions to carbon neutrality by mid-century could range
between $149.78 trillion to $791.98 trillion
globally by the end of the century.6 That same
study found that if climate change is slowed
and carbon neutrality is achieved by mid-century, the world could see a $127 to $616 trillion economic benefit after considering the costs
associated with taking action. The humanitarian impact is also significant. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimate that the
number of people in need of humanitarian aid
each year could double to 200 million annually by 2050 due to climate change costing $20 billion per year.7 Furthermore, the World
Resources Institute has found that investing
in adaptation and resilience provides a benefit-cost ratio ranging from 2:1 to 10:1, meaning that for every dollar invested in resilience and
adaptation there are $2 to $10 dollars’ worth
of benefits.
Taking action to reduce GHG emissions and
adapt to climate change now allows the City
to use resources effectively and lessen future
damages. One immediate example is the cost
to install conduit and panel capacity for EV
chargers for all new construction. While this
action increases up-front construction costs by
a few hundred dollars, doing that same work
6. Wei, Yi-Ming et al. Nature Communications. 2020. Self-preservation strategy for approaching global warming targets in the post-Paris Agreement era, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15453-z.
7. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 2019. The Cost of Doing Nothing: The Humanitarian Price of Climate Change and How it Can be Avoided. Retrieved June 9, 2021, from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/cost-doing-nothing-humanitarian-price-climate-change-and-how-it-can-be-avoided. after the building is completed can be an order
of magnitude higher (~$3,000). Given the move
towards EVs, the cost of not installing EV infrastructure today could cost the community significantly more in the future. In a similar vein, adaptation measures will cost the city and the
community today. Planting trees, installing
microgrids, and setting up cooling centers all
have up-front costs. However, it’s imperative
that these costs be weighed against the costs
of a future without these adaptive measures
given what is known about the projected
climate impacts on the Sacramento region.
Active Transportation
Photo by Carlos Eliason
192 08. Implementation and Monitoring > Funding and Financing Plan Funding and Financing Plan
In order to develop transparency around the
prioritization of the CAAP measures and actions
the City has developed a high-level funding
and financing plan which can be found in
Appendix D. While many of the CAAP measures
will need more detail on the specific project
before a detailed cost and funding or financing
approach can be taken, the funding and financing plan provides the estimated cost to the City associated with the implementation of many
of the City’s most impactful measures and provides a funding and financing plan to allow the City to begin implementation of these
major projects. The funding and financing plan
arranges the CAAP measures into three cost
segments which include:
• Low-Cost: Measures associated with relatively
low up-front costs. These actions are assumed
to be handled through existing resources or
through smaller low-cost changes to staffing/
operations, e.g., policies and ordinance.
• Moderate-Cost: These measures will require
additional funding or increase short term costs
to the City and community, e.g., EV charging
infrastructure and program development.
• High-Cost: longer term projects requiring
substantial investments over time to reduce
emissions, e.g., new infrastructure and transit.
These measures will require significant
investment that cannot be paid for by the
City alone. Funding and financing will be key
to the implementation of these measures.
The funding and financing strategy focuses
on the high- and moderate-cost measures
which will need the greatest level of support.
The funding and financing strategy is only a
snapshot, however. The State supports local
climate action in part by providing limited
funding that is typically available in the form
of competitive grants. The City has recognized
that ambitious climate action targets invite
resources for identified actions and projects
and placed Sacramento in a competitive position to pursue additional funding to support these aggressive actions and goals, particularly
in the transportation sector. In particular, additional significant sources of funding will need to be identified to achieve the transportation
infrastructure improvements outlined in this
CAAP. The strategies in the funding and financing plan represent a well-researched starting point for the City and its partners to obtain
the funding and financing necessary to begin
implementing the CAAP.
Downtown Sacramento
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
08. Implementation and Monitoring > Monitoring the CAAP 193
Monitoring
the CAAP
The City will monitor progress implementing the CAAP actions and measures. The City will also develop GHG emissions inventories
on a regular basis according to the schedule
in Table 8-2 to monitor progress in achieving
Sacramento’s climate action targets. The City
will coordinate with its partners to conduct
regular monitoring and reporting as shown in
Table 8-2, Implementation Timeline. As there
are many different ways to determine CAAP
implementation progress both qualitatively
and quantitatively, the City has defined three
monitoring levels that will occur simultaneously throughout the life of the CAAP. All monitoring activity will be conducted transparently for the community’s reference through CAPDash, an online CAP tool tailored for monitoring Sacramento’s CAAP.
CAAP MONITORING LEVELS
Action Monitoring
Tracking implementation status involves qualitative tracking of the metrics developed for CAAP actions as a part of the General Plan
Annual Progress Report. For example, for action
E-2.1, the City would track whether or not
the ordinance was developed and adopted;
for action TR-1.1, the City would track what
portion of new transportation lanes/paths
have been built.
Measure Monitoring
Tracking measure performance metrics
involves determining to what extent the CAAP
actions are achieving the measure goals. This
involves quantitative tracking of the performance metrics associated with each measure.
For example, measure TR-3 contains the goal to
achieve ZEV adoption rates within Sacramento
of 28 percent for passenger vehicles and 22
percent for commercial vehicles by 2030; the
City would therefore track ZEV adoption rates
relative to these goals.
GHG Emissions Monitoring
GHG emissions would be monitored by conducting regular GHG emissions inventories to evaluate Sacramento’s progress against
its climate action targets and the 2030 GHG
emissions milestone. This involves quantitatively inventorying Sacramento’s community wide GHG emissions on a regular basis, to
determine to what extent GHG emissions are
actually being reduced in the City. The City
would conduct ongoing GHG emissions inventories using methods similar to those used for this CAAP’s inventory (see Appendix A for
method details).
194 08. Implementation and Monitoring > Reporting on Progress Reporting on
Progress
The City will provide a report with information
on the implementation status and monitoring
results to City Council in 2027. The report will
include a qualitative and quantitative discussion of barriers to implementation for each measure and the results of the GHG emissions
inventory. The report will quantitatively analyze
whether the City is on track to reach its 2030
target, or if changes or additional measures and
actions are needed. If the City is not on target
to achieve the GHG emissions milestones as a
part of the next General Plan update, the City
will work to develop additional measures and
actions beyond those identified here as part of
a CAAP update for Sacramento to stay on track
to meet the 2030 target.
Updating the
CAAP
The City is committed to routine tracking and
evaluation of the CAAP. In addition to progress reporting, a CAAP update will be completed concurrently with periodic General Plan updates, including comprehensive reporting
on progress of measures and actions. The
periodic CAAP updates will revisit and update
the approach for reducing GHG emissions in
Sacramento outlined in this CAAP and establish
new strategies, measures, and actions, based
on State legislation at that time and progress
made towards the 2030 target. Finally, a complete CAAP update for post-2030 climate action targets will be required to consider new technological and political conditions that may warrant new approaches. It is anticipated that
new technologies and legislation will facilitate
GHG emissions reductions beyond what is currently possible and allow the City to continue towards its long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
Sacramento in the Fall
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
08. Implementation and Monitoring > Reporting on Progress 195
Table 8-2. Implementation Timeline
Phase Year Implementation Actions
1 2021-24 • Phase 1 Implementation
2 2024 • Adopt CAAP
• Begin Phase 2 Implementation
2027
• Progress Report – qualitative and quantitative analysis of implementation actions • GHG Inventory and Forecast Update
• Initiate CAAP Update concurrent with General Plan Update 2030
• Progress Report– qualitative analysis of implementation actions • GHG Inventory
• Adopt new CAAP/General Plan
Chapter 6 provides detailed information on the implementation phase associated with each action. As outlined in Chapter 6, the City of Sacramento has established two phases for implementation. Phase 1 actions will begin implementation at CAAP adoption or before.
These actions have been prioritized due to their importance, cost effectiveness, or the availability of resources for implementation. Phase 2 actions will begin implementation between 2024 and 2030. These actions may require additional resources such as staff time, funding and financing, or there may need to be additional education and outreach conducted prior to implementation. 196
197
SECTION
COMMUNITY ACTION
AND SUSTAINABILITY
Many of the measures and actions in the CAAP
will support community members in adopting
new technologies, services, and behaviors like
electrifying their homes and cars, driving less,
or composting organic waste. While the City
and its partners are responsible for leading this
effort by developing programs and infrastructure, the community will need to utilize the opportunities created by the City and adopt
new technologies and behaviors. Community
members or groups that embrace these opportunities will directly experience many of the co-benefits identified in Chapter 5, such
as cleaner air in their homes and businesses,
healthier lifestyles, and long-term decreased
cost of living in many cases.
For example, Measure TR-3 creates a holistic
framework to achieve increased ZEV-adoption
rates for passenger and commercial vehicles by
amending the City’s Building Code to require
increased EV capability and amending the
Planning and Development Code to incentivize charging in both existing and new developments, continuing to install and provide EV charger access at City-owned facilities and
parking garages, continuing to support and
collaborate with community partners, pursuing affordable, zero-emission car-share expansions to serve affordable housing, developing and implementing a fee for use of City-owned
parking facilities and EV chargers to encourage
and promote more efficient use and turnover
09. 198 09. Community Action and Sustainability >
and increase EV availability, continuing to
maintain a highly streamlined EV-infrastructure
permit process, and engaging with the community and providing educational information in an ongoing manner.1 This framework creates
various strong incentives and support structures for ZEV adoption and use, but it will still be up to community members to transition
from gas-powered vehicles to electric-powered vehicles using the approach and funding mechanisms provided.
This chapter is intentionally incorporated in this
CAAP to provide a clear pathway for community members to make direct change and includes resources and community-level
1. See Chapter 6 for a full list of the actions that support implementation of Measure TR-3. actions that can be taken to support the CAAP
and help create a more sustainable Sacramento.
These actions provide a roadmap for voluntary
action by the community and are not required
to ensure that the CAAP is a qualified GHG
emissions reduction plan. However, providing a
clear route for community involvement is critical to developing an implementable plan. The community-level actions are divided into sections for different segments of the community:
residents, homeowners and property owners,
businesses and employers, and developers.
Readers of the CAAP can explore this section
and discover opportunities for contributing to
GHG reductions, resiliency, and sustainability in
the City of Sacramento.
Electric Vehicle Chargers
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 199
Community
Action Guide
This community action guide includes actions
that can be taken at the community level by
residents, homeowners and property owners,
businesses and employers, and developers to
support Sacramento’s GHG emission reduction
goals, improve sustainability, and help mitigate
the impacts of climate change. This section
also includes resources specific to Sacramento
that make taking these actions possible. These
actions focus on Sacramento’s most important
GHG reduction measures. Together, the City of
Sacramento and the community can improve
sustainability within the City and meet the science-based climate action targets developed for 2030 and 2045.
RESIDENTS
Residents play a big role in helping Sacramento
achieve its climate action targets. This section
includes information and resources related
to actions residents can take that will make
the biggest impacts towards reducing
GHG emissions.
Bike, Walk, Skateboard,
Scooter, Take Transit, Carpool,
or Telecommute when Possible
Impact: Moderate to high. Finding alternative
transportation options to single-occupancy
vehicles is key to reducing your transportation footprint. Biking, walking, skateboarding, scootering, taking the bus or light rail, and carpooling are all good alternative transportation options and support Sacramento’s efforts to
increase active and shared transportation and
public transit (Measure TR-1 and Measure TR-2).
Cost: Low to none. Walking, biking, skateboarding, and scootering are great low- and no-cost alternatives to driving and can help improve
resident’s health and wellness. Taking the bus
or carpooling can also help save on transportation costs. In Sacramento, remember that students ride free on transit! Links to Resources:
» Explore Sacramento’s expanding bikeways
» Learn more about shared
rideables in Sacramento
» Find transit routes and schedules
» Students ride free!
200 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide Buy, Lease, or Borrow an EV
when it’s Time for a New Car or
to Make a Trip Around Town
Impact: High. Transportation is the largest contributor to Sacramento’s GHG emissions, and a vast majority of those emissions come from
passenger vehicles. Sacramento’s transportation strategy includes electrifying car trips to the greatest extent possible (Measure TR-3).
Buying an EV will directly support this strategy and may provide life cycle cost savings in the long run. Sacramento is one of the best
places in California to own an EV with low electricity rates and over 600 public chargers with more on the way!
Cost: High. Costs for residents who choose EVs
are highly dependent on vehicle choice. Many
EVs are comparable in cost to gasoline-powered vehicles and can be comparatively less expensive over the full life of the car.2 Costs can
also be associated with installing an EV charger
at home. Level 1 chargers can cost between
$300 to $600 to install.3 Sometimes electrical
upgrades may be required for older homes.
However, the ongoing maintenance and operation costs of owning or leasing an EV have been shown to be significantly lower than internal
combustion vehicles.
2. CarbonCounter. Cars evaluated against climate targets. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.carboncounter.com/#!/explore.
3. Carvana. 2022. How Much Does it Cost to Install an EV Charger? Retrieved from https://blog.carvana.com/2021/07/ how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-an-ev-charger/
Links to Resources:
» Evaluate the GHG footprint and lifecycle costs
of different cars
» Explore a list of affordable electric
cars on the market
» Check the costs of charging an EV
versus gas prices
» Find more information and ask
questions at SacEV
Electric Vehicle Charging
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 201
Compost Your Yard and
Food Waste
Impact: Low to moderate. Sacramento has
adopted a strategy to increase the diversion
of organic waste from the landfill by adding
food collection and composting programs
in the City (Measure W-1). You can support
this work by doing your own composting and
recycling now. It’s low cost and has the added
benefit of reducing strain on local landfills.
Furthermore, compost, when added to the soil,
increases the rate of carbon sequestration by
the soil microbes for years after the compost
is applied.4
Cost: Low to none
Links to Resources:
» Compost at home
» Compost with ReSoilSac
» Get involved at a community garden near you
» Curbside composting program
» State requirements for jurisdiction organics
recycling under SB 1383
Track Your Water Usage and
Check for Leaks
Impact: High. Saving water in Sacramento is
also part of reducing our environmental impact
and begins at the individual level. Tracking your
home’s usage and detecting leaks is now easier
than ever with advanced technology and the
4. University of California - Davis. (2019, August 14). Compost key to sequestering carbon in the soil: Study dug deep to uncover which agricultural systems store the most carbon. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190814161818.htm
Compost Bin
202 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide City’s Water Conservation Team. Toilets are very
common sources of leaks and often exceed 400
gallons per day.
Cost: Free. Residents can access water wise
services through the City’s website, including
a free house call to determine water efficiency,
leak repair assistance, and rebates for low-water appliances.
Links to Resources:
» Report water misuse using the 311 app
» Residential water wise services
Leaking Faucet
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 203
Use an Induction Cooktop
Instead of Your Gas Stove
Impact: Moderate. In Sacramento, natural gas
use equates to approximately 14 percent of the
City’s emissions and reducing these emissions
is essential to reaching the long-term goal of
carbon neutrality. One opportunity to reduce
natural gas usage in homes is by switching from
a gas-powered stove to an induction cooktop,
which also improves indoor air quality and
could make your home healthier. According
to CARB, natural gas and propane stoves can
release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and
other harmful pollutants into the air, which
can be toxic to people and pets.5 Furthermore,
a 2020 report from Rocky Mountain Institute6
found that peak indoor air pollution from gas
stoves can reach levels as much as five times
higher than the legal outdoor limit.
Cost: Low. Induction cook tops generally range
in price from approximately $50 to $75 and
can be set on the countertop to be powered
by electricity. By transitioning appliances in
buildings from the consumption of natural
gas to electricity, emissions from this source
can be reduced. This reduction will become
greater over time through SB 100 requirements
which requires utilities to provide increased
renewable electricity. A variety of studies
have found that electrification of buildings,
5. California Air Resources Board (CARB). Cooking can contaminate the indoor air with harmful pollutants, but range hoods can effectively remove them. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/indoor-air-pollution-cooking
6. Rocky Mountain Institute. Gas Stoves: Health and Air Quality Impacts and Solutions. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://rmi.org/insight/gas-stoves-pollution-health
7. Williams, James et al. Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States. San Francisco: Energy and Environmental Economics, 2014; Northeastern Regional Assessment of Strategic Electrification (Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, 2017); Steinberg, Daniel et al.
Electrification and Decarbonization: Exploring US Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Scenarios with Widespread Electrification and Power Sector Decarbonization (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2017). combined with renewable power generation, is
a potential path towards reaching carbon neutrality.7
Additionally, indoor air quality would
be approved.
Links to Resources:
» The Best Portable Induction Cooktops
» Check out an induction burner from the
Sacramento Public Library
» Get a SMUD rebate for an
induction cooktop/range
» Learn more about switching to
electric appliances
Induction Cooktop
204 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide Upgrade to Clean
Energy from SMUD
Impact: High. In Sacramento, approximately
24 percent of GHG emissions are generated by
electricity use. Increasing the rate of renewable and carbon-free energy would decrease the emissions generated from electricity use
and would help support the long-term goal of
carbon neutrality.
Cost: Low. SMUD offers two low-cost options
for residents to purchase clean energy through
the Greenergy program. For $4 a month ($48/
year), SMUD will provide residents with 50
percent clean energy sources and for $8 a
month ($96/year), SMUD will provide residents
with 100 percent clean energy, which is a mix
of renewable and carbon-free resources like
wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. There is
also an option for businesses to purchase 100
percent clean energy.
Links to Resources:
» SMUD’s Greenergy options and sign-up page
Renewable Energy Options
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 205
Talk to Your Landlord or
Property Manager and Ask for
Sustainability Upgrades
Impact: Moderate to high. As mentioned
above, a majority of the City’s housing units
were built prior to 2005 and may not include
the most current energy efficient appliances,
fixtures, and fittings. Likewise, these units may
not include the necessary infrastructure to
charge EVs. Replacing antiquated equipment
with current equivalents would likely result
in significant emissions reductions. Likewise,
providing safe, convenient EV charging infrastructure would encourage residents to investigate alternative vehicle options at the time of purchase.
Cost: Low or free. The primary cost associated
with this initiative would be the time associated with completing a personal review and then reaching out to landlords or property
managers, as applicable. However, there may
be reduced costs for tenants that would be
achieved through installation or implementation of energy efficient design. As noted by the EPA in Successes in Sustainability: Landlords
and Tenants Team Up to Improve Energy
Efficiency,8 working together to create green,
efficient space not only offers environmental
and financial benefits but also creates opportunities for a strong landlord-tenant relationship. Although the conclusions included in the EPA’s paper are based on commercial landlords and tenants, there is a direct connection
8. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Successes in Sustainability: Landlords and Tenant Team Up to Improve Energy Efficiency.
Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from
https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/EPA_ES_Tenant_Report_508.pdf to residential uses, and these lessons learned
can be applied. Three of the key initiatives that
are discussed include the value of retrofitting
leased space as green space, measuring and
sharing energy data to enable efficiency, and
engaging tenants around sustainability.
Links to Resources:
» U.S. EPA – Successes in Sustainability:
Landlords and Tenants Team Up to Improve
Energy Efficiency
Induction Stove Installation
206 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide
HOMEOWNERS AND
PROPERTY OWNERS
Homeowners and property owners have power
over how their property uses resources like
energy for heating and cooling and water for
washing and landscaping. If you’re a homeowner or property owner in Sacramento, this section includes a list of suggested actions
for reducing the energy and water usage of
your property while maintaining comfort in a
cost-effective way.
Install Solar Panels and/or
Battery Storage
Impact: Moderate to high. Installing solar with
batteries on your property reduces your electricity emissions and increases Sacramento’s electrical grid resilience. These are key
aspects of Sacramento’s energy strategy (see
Measures E-2 and Measure E-4). Battery storage
takes this one step further by allowing you to
store solar energy for use at night, decreasing your emissions footprint even further at the time when the grid is supplying the most
carbon intensive electricity. Battery storage
can also increase your property’s resiliency by
providing electricity during power outages
or disasters.
Cost: Up-front cost for installing solar panels
and batteries on your home can be high (currently anywhere from $5,000 to $17,000 after tax breaks for solar and $11,000 to $18,000
for batteries), but on-bill cost savings start
right away and can pay off the installation
in 7 to 20 years for solar and 6 to 12 years for
battery storage. Average savings for solar after
20 years is $20,000 on average. SMUD and
other programs provide financing options for
installing solar.
Links to Resources:
» Learn about batteries and rebates from SMUD
» Use SMUDs solar calculator tool to estimate
your solar savings potential
» Learn about solar permits from the City online
» Explore opportunities to get free solar installed
on your home through Grid Alternatives
Energy for All Program for families with limited
or fixed incomes
» Explore the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Solar PV Being Installed
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 207
Install an Electric Water
Heater, Heat Pump HVAC, and/
or Stovetop
Impact: High. Support the effort to electrify
existing buildings (Measure E-3) by installing
electric appliances instead of gas appliances
which depend on fossil fuels. The electricity
provided by SMUD today is already approximately 72 percent carbon-free. SMUD has a goal to provide 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030 (Measure E-2). In addition to significant reductions in GHG emissions, due to
SMUD’s low electricity rates, electric appliances
can save you money on your energy bills and
reduce indoor air pollution from natural gas
combustion. Time of replacement (when your
old appliance breaks or is no longer working
efficiently) is the best time to make the switch,
but you may need additional upgrades like an
electric panel so make sure to start looking into
electric replacements now. Be sure to check
out the resources linked here, since SMUD has
some of the best electric appliance rebates
in California.
Cost: Moderate. In general, electric induction
models are more expensive than natural gas
fueled9 counterparts upfront but provide longterm on-bill savings. Current marginal costs (the cost increase compared to replacement
with a natural gas appliance) after rebates for a
heat pump HVAC (which also provides cooling)
is about $3,600 to $8,200 before incentives.
However, if a household expects to replace
both an air conditioner and a furnace, a single
9. On average, traditional electric coil cook tops are approximately the same price as natural gas-powered cook tops.
10. E3 Residential Building Electrification in CA 2019
heat pump unit provides the same heating and
cooling at a lower upfront cost. Heat pump
hot water heaters represent a marginal cost
between $1,700 and $2,600 before incentives
and offers significant cost savings over time.10
SMUD offers rebates that can reduce to zero
the marginal cost of switching to all-electric.
Links to Resources:
» Explore SMUD’s electrification rebates
» Learn more about installing electric appliances
from The Switch is On
» Search SMUD’s Contractor Network for
going electric
Heat Pump HVAC
208 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide Upgrade to Water-wise
Landscaping and Waterefficient Fixtures
Impact: High. With Sacramento’s hot and arid
climate, water is a precious commodity to the
City. The City’s Water Conservation Team provides many rebates on indoor fixtures and outdoor irrigation fixtures.
Cost: Moderate to high. Take advantage of
rebates available to help you upgrade a lawn
to a beautiful and drought-tolerant landscape,
upgrade irrigation sprinklers and smart controllers, purchase a rain barrel, or design a laundry-to-landscape system. The City’s Water
Conservation Team can help connect you to a
landscape designer and conduct a water-wise
house call to provide information on making
the most of your home. Within the house,
rebates for upgrading to high-efficiency toilets
and washing machines. The SMUD Energy Store
also provides rebates for smart controllers, aerators, and showerheads.
Links to Resources:
» Check out the City’s Residential Rebates for
outdoor landscaping and toilets
» Find other rebates on water efficient home
fixtures at the SMUD Energy Store
Drought-tolerant Landscape
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 209
Conduct Energy
Efficiency Upgrades
Impact: Moderate. Conducting a home energy
audit, completing weatherization upgrades,
or using cool roof materials when its time for
a new roof can all help lower costs and save
energy. The SMUD energy efficiency home
website has great resources to upgrade your
home and save money.
Cost: Low to Moderate. SMUD has tips available
for saving money under the Time-of-Day rates
found in Sacramento. Many options are no cost
at all such as shifting when you do laundry or
run the dishwasher. Rebates for weatherization
are also available through the State.
Links to Resources:
» Check out SMUD’s Energy
Efficiency Home Website
» SMUD provides rebates for air-sealing
and insulation
» The Community Resource Project has a free
low-income energy efficiency program
Weatherizing Homes Saves Energy and Costs
210 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide
BUSINESSES AND
EMPLOYERS
Businesses and employers will play a key role
in reducing GHG emissions in Sacramento and
supporting this CAAP. This section provides a
list of actions that businesses and employers
can take to support GHG emissions reductions
in Sacramento.
Install Bike-friendly Facilities
for Your Employees and
Encourage Public Transit Use
Impact: High. You can help your employees
decarbonize their commute and bike, walk, or
take the bus to work. Consider installing bike
racks or secure parking rooms for employees
to safely store their bikes during the workday,
providing showering facilities, and/or offering
financial incentives for employees to bike, walk,
carpool, or take the bus to work.
Cost: Low to moderate. Bike racks and secure
parking rooms can range significantly in price.
Installation of showering facilities and financial
incentives could range depending on current
infrastructure in place and number of employees. Reducing emissions from transportation will be crucial to reaching the City’s long-term
goals because approximately 57 percent of the
City’s emissions come from the transportation
sector. In addition to providing the necessary
infrastructure, there are a variety of initiatives
in place to encourage employees to actively
commute. For example, the Federal Bike
Commuter Benefit became effective in 2009,
and if a company elects to offer this benefit,
employees can receive up to $20 a month for
each month they commute primarily by bike,
as long as they don’t accept any of the other
transit benefit.
Links to Resources:
» Explore more ways to encourage your
employees to bike to work
» Check out Transportation Demand
Management ideas from SACOG
» Learn more about developing a successful bike
commuting program for employees
Bicycle Locker
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 211
Install EV Chargers in the
Employee Parking Lot and
Convert Fleet to Electric
when Possible
Impact: High. Transportation is the largest contributor to Sacramento’s GHG emissions, and a vast majority of those emissions come from
passenger vehicles. Sacramento’s transportation strategy includes electrifying vehicle trips to the greatest extent possible (Measure TR-3).
Converting your fleet to electric, installing
EV chargers in your workplace parking lot,
and developing a workplace charging
program for your employees will support this
important effort.
Cost: Moderate to high. EV-charging infrastructure can range in price depending on categories of EV charger from approximately $813 (Level 1 – Non-networked charger) to $140,000
(DC fast – Networked 350 kW) per charger.11
However, there are a variety of funding opportunities, including grants, that support the installation of EV-charging infrastructure.
Replacement of fossil fuel powered fleet vehicles at the end of their life with electric alternatives would mean only the marginal cost (difference between a standard vehicle and EV)
would need to be considered as a cost increase.
The long-term savings associated with EV’s
as well as the incentives available could more
than make up for this increased upfront cost.
11. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Estimating electric vehicle charging infrastructure costs across major U.S. metropolitan areas. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_EV_Charging_Cost_20190813.pdf Links to Resources:
» Review Sacramento’s guide for going electric
» Search for EV incentives
EV Charging Stations
212 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide Install Solar Panels and/or
Battery Storage at
Your Business
Impact: Moderate to high. Installing solar
at your business reduces your electricity emissions and your bills. These are key aspects of Sacramento’s energy strategy (see
Measure E-2 and Measure E-4). Battery storage
takes this one step further by allowing you to
store solar energy for use at night, decreasing
your emissions footprint and energy costs even
further at the time when the grid is supplying
the most carbon-intensive electricity. Battery
storage can also increase your business’s resiliency by providing electricity during power outages or disasters.
Cost: Up-front cost for installing solar panels
and batteries on your business can be high
(currently anywhere from $5,000 to $17,000
after tax breaks for solar and $11,000 to
$18,000 for batteries), but on-bill cost savings
start right away and can pay off the installation in 7 to 20 years for solar and 6 to 12 years for battery storage. Average savings for solar
after 20 years is $20,000 on average. SMUD and
other programs provide financing options for
installing solar.
Links to Resources:
» Explore benefits and case studies on solar
energy for commercial buildings
» Get your business started with solar
» Learn more about battery storage
for your business
Energy Storage
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 213
Develop (or Keep) Work-fromhome Policies for Employees Impact: Moderate to high. Allowing your
employees to work from home, even one day
per week, will reduce vehicle miles traveled
in Sacramento, save your employees money,
improve air quality, and reduce traffic impacts.
Most passenger vehicle miles in California are
from commuting to and from work. Removing
the need to commute to work via car supports
Sacramento’s efforts to reduce vehicle miles
traveled, traffic congestions, and helps reduce
GHG emissions. As the impacts of COVID-19
recede, consider leaving employees flexibility
to work from home some or all the time as feasible. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of employees have already been telecommuting, showing the potential for the efficacy of telecommute options. Not only does employee
telecommuting provide GHG reductions but
it also provides flexibility for employees with
longer commute times.
Cost: Free. There are no additional costs associated with developing or retaining workfrom-home policies for employees. In fact, in most instances, employers are able to save
money on overhead. For example, according to Forbes, prior the pandemic, employers saved an average of $22,000 per full-time remote employee.12 Likewise, the costs would
be reduced for employees. According to a
recent FlexJobs survey, the average remote
12. Jeff DeVerter. Forbes Technology Council. In Defense of Remote Work. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/12/02/in-defense-of-remote-work/?sh=2dbab07a144a
13. Rachel Pelta. FlexJobs. 6 Ways Working from Home will Save you $4,000 or More Annually. Retrieved on November 4, 2021 from https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/does-working-remotely-save-you-money/ worker saves $4,000 per year by not spending
money on gas, coffee, lunches, and clothes for
their wardrobe.13
Links to Resources:
» Review suggestions for how to create an
effective work-from-home policy from Builtin
» Explore sample telecommuting policies
» Review the State’s suggestions for how to
support teleworking
Working from Home
214 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide Reduce Food Waste
Impact: Low to moderate. Sacramento has
adopted a strategy to divert organic waste
from the landfill through enhanced composting programs in the City (Measure W-1). You can support this effort by continuing to divert
and reduce your food waste at your business.
Cost: Free. In general, reducing waste through
strategic business planning and thoughtful
purchasing policies not only reduces upfront
costs but also reduces waste management
costs as well. Commercial waste is generally
collected and measured using the number of
dumpsters that a facility uses. Reducing the
amount of waste generated would reduce the
number of trips associated with delivery and
waste hauling and therefore reduce GHG emissions and improve local air quality as well.
Links to Resources:
» Managing food waste at the workplace
» Managing food waste at your restaurant
» Learn about food donation programs
» Donate your left-over food
Edible Food Donations
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide 215
Practice Sustainable Business
Impact: Low to moderate. You can reduce your
organization’s GHG emissions by procuring
sustainable materials and developing other
employee-focused sustainability policies.
Cost: Low. There may be slight marginal costs
associated with practicing sustainable business;
however, as noted in Chapter 8, the cost of
doing nothing at all is far greater. Shifting business practices may result in minimal upfront costs, which generally will diminish over time
when the full life cycle of the operations/
actions are compared.
Links to Resources:
» Review this business guide to sustainable
business practices
» Learn more about small businesses and
sustainability
» Explore rebates and incentives for
energy savings
» Sacramento County Business Sustainability
In addition to the resources listed above, there
are a variety of contractors that design and
promote sustainable business practices.
Smart Digital Thermostat
216 09. Community Action and Sustainability > Community Action Guide Save Water While
Saving Money
Impact: High. Businesses need to do their part
in being water wise in the workplace. The City’s
Water Conservation Team offers several programs to help your business save water, including a rebate program for water-wise upgrades.
Cost: Low. Make improvements to save or
reduce water usage and save up to $50,000
($0.50 per 748 gallons saved). Eligible upgrades
include:
• High efficiency toilets and urinals
• Equipment and technology for space cooling
• Refrigeration, laundry, cleaning, and flushing
• Air conditioning condensate capture
• Elimination of water intensive phases or industrial processes • Outdoor rebates including turf conversion,
irrigation upgrades, and smart controllers
The Water Conservation Team also provides
a customized rebate program to tailor to your
business needs.
Links to Resources:
» Check out the City Water Conservation Team’s
Business Rebates
Saving Water Saves Money
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
217
SECTION
MUNICIPAL GHG
REDUCTION MEASURES
The City of Sacramento has developed its own
plan to make substantial progress towards
achieving carbon neutrality in all municipal operations by 2045. These measures and actions align with both the Mayors’ Commission
on Climate Change and the CAAP’s ambitious
community measures and actions and will
allow the City to continue its role as a leader
in climate action both within the community
and the region. The City has developed a suite
of measures and specific actions, identified in
this chapter, that will collectively reduce emissions 74% below 1990 levels by 2030, and near zero in 2045. The municipal measures closely
mirror the CAAP’s community-level strategies
with a goal of exceeding community goals
wherever feasible. These measures and actions
include electrification of municipal buildings,
vehicle fleets, and reductions in energy usage,
water, and waste.
Downtown Sacramento
10. Photo by Carlos Eliason
218 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > Municipal GHG Emissions Municipal GHG
Emissions
GHG EMISSIONS
INVENTORY
To better understand the progress to date
and develop new measures and actions, the
City developed a GHG emissions inventory of
municipal operations for 2016 (Figure 10-1
and Table 10-1). While municipal emissions
are only a small portion of community-wide
emissions – captured as part of the community GHG inventory described in Chapter 2 – they are broken out and analyzed separately
to support the development of a municipal
operations-specific GHG reduction plan for the
City. Municipal GHG emissions are primarily
attributed to electricity and natural gas usage
in City-owned buildings and facilities (27%),
gasoline and diesel usage in the City’s vehicle
fleets (28%), electricity usage for streetlights
and traffic signals (9%), water and wastewater
treatment and conveyance related to water
usage in municipal facilities (17%), and landfill
process emissions from the City’s waste facilities (19%).
Figure 10-1. Municipal GHG Emissions Inventory by Sector in 2016 City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > Municipal GHG Emissions 219
Table 10-1.Municipal GHG Emissions Inventory by Sector (MT CO2e) Sector Emissions
Vehicle Fleet 16,035
Building & Facilities 15,214
Waste-in-Place 10,512
Water Management 9,516
Streetlight & Traffic Signals 5,186
Total 56,463
MUNICIPAL PROGRESS
AND SUCCESSES
The City of Sacramento has conducted two
previous municipal GHG emissions inventories
for the years of 2005 and 2013. Based on these
previous inventories, municipal GHG emissions
decreased 24% between 2005 and 2013, and
28% between 2005 and 2016 (Figure 10-2).
Sustainability projects in Sacramento have
been driven by aggressive planning efforts,
including the City’s 2010 Climate Action Plan
for Municipal Operations and subsequent 2016
update to that plan. The 2016 Climate Action
Plan for Internal Operations documented a
24 percent reduction in GHG emissions from
municipal operations between 2005 to 2013,
exceeding the 2010 plan’s 2020 target by 2%
and several years ahead of schedule. This CAAP
serves to update and build on these efforts.
A number of sustainability projects driven by
these past plans have contributed to the emissions reductions since 2005. For example, the City has completed extensive energy efficiency
retrofits throughout its buildings, including replacement of fluorescent lights with light-emitting diodes (LED), installation of solar
panels, installation of high efficiency heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
replacements, and building envelope improvements that reduced heating and cooling loads.
Solar panel systems installed and operated
under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) generate approximately 4 MWh of on-site solar power for the City each year. The City also procures 31,000 MWh of off-site solar power annually. In addition, energy efficiency projects save another ~8,000 MWh annually, significantly
reducing the energy emissions associated with
municipal facilities while saving money. To
date, the City has also retrofitted approximately
one third of the streetlights and most traffic
signals in the City to LEDs, significantly reducing electricity usage in another large sector of emissions.
220 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > Municipal GHG Emissions As one of the first cities to significantly invest
in electric vehicles (EVs), Sacramento has also
taken on a variety of EV infrastructure projects including EV charger upgrades at municipal facilities. The City currently operates more than 160 EV chargers at City-owned facilities,
over 100 of which are available to the public.
The City also offers incentives for EV owners in
Sacramento, including preferred parking in City
1. Note that electricity emissions from water management were separated out from the buildings and facilities sector in 2013 and are therefore not shown separately in the 2005 inventory results. lots. Efforts are underway to continue growing
the number of EV chargers available for both
the public and municipal fleet.
Together, these actions have led to a 28%
reduction in municipal emissions between
2005 and 2016, which meets the City’s GHG
reduction targets for 2020 by exceeding a 22%
reduction. In 2020, the City is estimated to have
realized a 32% reduction based on the municipal forecast.
Figure 10-2. Municipal GHG Emissions Over Time (MT CO2e)1 City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > Municipal GHG Emissions 221
GHG EMISSIONS FORECAST
A GHG emissions forecast (Figure 10-3) was
developed based on the inventory, which projects municipal emissions for 2030 and 2045 based on expected municipal operations, and
the reduced carbon intensity of SMUD’s electricity due to the renewable portfolio standard.2 The municipal emissions forecast shows that
2. The forecast does not include electricity reductions expected from SMUD’s Carbon-free 2030 Plan. Instead, the forecast incorporates the less aggressive reductions expected from the renewable portfolio standard, which requires utility providers to procure 100 percent renewable electricity by 2045. The additional reductions associated with SMUD’s Carbon-free 2030 Plan are included in the measures and actions. without additional action, municipal emissions will decrease 17% by 2030 and 42% by 2045, primarily due to expected decreases in
the carbon intensity of electricity emissions
required by SB 100. See Appendix F for details
on the data and methods used for the municipal GHG emissions inventory and forecast.
Figure 10-3. Municipal GHG Emissions Forecast (MT CO2e) 222 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > Municipal Target Pathway Municipal Target
Pathway
Based on the inventory and forecast, the City
developed a GHG emissions target pathway
that mirrors the community climate action
targets by planning for a linear reduction to
carbon neutrality. This pathway would decrease
municipal emissions by 63% from 2005 levels
3. While 1990 is used as a baseline for the community, there is no well-defined methodology to backcast to 1990 for municipal emissions.
Therefore, a reduction from 2005 levels is commonly used for municipal target setting.
4. Accessed at: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Public-Works/Facilities/Sustainability/Climate-Action-Plan-for-Internal-Operations by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by
2045.3 These targets are more aggressive than
the previous targets established by the City
of Sacramento Internal Operations Climate
Action Plan.4 A comparison of the municipal target pathway and the forecast is shown in Figure 10-4. The gap between the target
pathway and the forecast in each year is the
magnitude of GHG emissions to be reduced by
the City’s municipal measures.
Figure 10-4. Municipal Target Pathway (MT CO2e)
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 223
GHG Reduction
Measures
The measures and actions to reduce GHG
emissions for Sacramento’s municipal operations include reducing natural gas emissions in municipal facilities, transitioning fleet vehicles to EVs, developing programs to incentivize more sustainable employee commutes, encouraging employees to purchase their own
EVs, prioritizing teleconferencing and telecommuting over in-person work and meetings, and analyzing and reducing the waste stream from
municipal facilities. Collectively, the municipal
measures are expected to achieve a 74% reduction in municipal GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2030, and near-zero GHG emissions in
2045 (Figure 10-5). Importantly, while the GHG
emissions reductions from municipal measures
were quantified, they were not added to the
community-level GHG emissions reductions
shown in Chapter 5 due to potential for
double counting. See Appendix G for details
on the data and methods used to quantify
GHG emissions reductions from municipal
measures (MM).
Figure 10-5. GHG Emissions Reductions from Municipal Measures (MT CO2e) 224 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures Table 10-2. Municipal GHG Emissions Reductions by Measure Measure
#
Measure
Description
2030
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
2045
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
MM-1
Reduce natural gas consumption 50% below 2016 levels by 2030 and 100% by 2045. Reduce electricity use 25% below 2016 levels by 2030.
3,069 6,130
MM-2 Electrify or decarbonize 100% of light-duty fleet vehicles by 2035 and 100% of municipal fleet by 2045. 9,246 23,009
MM-3 Reduce emissions from trips between City facilities occurring during the workday. Supportive Supportive
MM-4 Reduce municipal waste sent to landfills. Supportive Supportive MM-5
Reduce emissions from water usage/conveyance and
stormwater drainage (in MT of CO2e per MG delivered) 100% by 2030.
6,093 01
MM-6
Improve carbon sequestration potential of municipal parks, greenspace at City properties, and street tree planters in the public right-of-way.
Supportive Supportive
MM-7 Procure carbon-free electricity by 2030, in alignment with SMUD’s 2030 Zero Carbon Plan 8,198 01
MM-8 Reduce City employee commuter VMT. Supportive Supportive MM-9
Encourage an increase in the number of employee-owned
EV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles 28% by 2030 and 100% by 2045
Supportive Supportive
Reduction Summary
Estimated Reductions Achieved from Full Implementation
of Measures 26,540 29,139
Total Reduction Needed to Achieve Targets 17,749 32,880 Gap (or Surplus) to Target -8,791 3,741
1. GHG emissions reductions associated with MM-5 and MM-7 are zero in 2045 because the State has required all electricity providers to procure 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045, making these emissions equal to zero in 2045.
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 225
MUNICIPAL MEASURE 1: Reduce natural gas consumption
50% below 2016 levels by 2030 and 100% by 2045.
Reduce electricity use 25% below 2016 levels by 2030
Municipal Measure 1 (MM-1) reduces natural
gas consumption in municipal buildings and
facilities through a commitment to electrification, energy efficiency, and on-site renewable energy. This aligns with the CAAP’s electrification strategy for the community and allows the City to lead this effort by demonstrating the
feasibility of electrification projects. Currently,
about 25% of the 400 plus energy accounts
serving Sacramento's municipal buildings,
facilities, and infrastructure use natural gas as
an energy source. In order for the City to contribute its part in reaching carbon neutrality on a community-wide level, the majority of
the City’s building stock will need to be carbon
neutral. Electrification allows buildings to use
the 100% carbon neutral electricity that will be
provided by SMUD by 2030 through the 2030
Zero Carbon Plan. Installing on-site renewable
energy projects further facilitates electrification by increasing the local grid’s resiliency.
This measure ensures (1) that new municipal
buildings will be built 100% electric so that
they will not need to be retrofitted later, (2) that
old municipal buildings will be retrofitted on
as fast a timeline as possible, and (3) decreases
municipal building emissions to the extent feasible while they are not electric to achieve 2030 GHG emission targets.
SUCCESS IN ACTION:
Sacramento’s 2035 General Plan committed the City to reducing energy consumption 25% below 2005 levels
by 2030. In line with this goal, the
City completed lighting retrofits on
21 community centers, club houses,
and libraries in 2019. Lighting retrofit
projects are estimated to save the City
over $261,000 per year. Due to these
and other energy efficiency retrofits, the
City achieved a 34% decrease in energy
consumption in 2019, far exceeding the
2035 General Plan energy consumption
target. This corresponds to a savings
of 366,000 therms of natural gas and
54,084 MWh of electricity per year.
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 3,069 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 6,130 MT CO2
e
226
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-1.1: Electrification – Implement an “electric first” commitment for building projects and major retrofits.
Public Works
MM-1.2: Building Retrofits – Develop a strategy to transition 100% of existing municipally owned and controlled buildings and facilities to electric by 2045 through expansion of the City’s Energy Efficiency Reinvestment Program. This includes auditing remaining City facilities, establishing a retrofit project pipeline of fundable projects prioritized based on opportunities to reduce energy costs and eliminate natural gas, developing a phase-out plan for each piece of natural gas equipment, and creating an internal revolving loan fund for City facility retrofits.
Public Works
MM-1.3: SolarShares - Maintain participation in SolarShares for off-site solar photovoltaics to offset at least 35% of municipal power in 2030.
Public Works Utilities
MM-1.4: Streetlights - Retrofit all post-top streetlights to LED and remaining streetlights as feasible by 2030.
Public Works
MM-1.5: Municipal Green Building Policy - Update the Municipal Green Building Policy to include all-electric retrofits at time of replacement and prohibit new cogeneration in buildings.
Public Works
MM-1.6: Generator Phase-out - Evaluate the feasibility of phasing out diesel generators by 2033 by replacing them with solar and storage to provide backup power for buildings. Utilize renewable diesel requirements for existing generators in the short-term if needed.
Public Works
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 227
Action Lead Support
MM-1.7: Solar - Expand on-site production of renewable power and develop energy storage technologies for critical operations.
Public Works
MM-1.8: Battery Storage Pilot Project - Identify a site and construct a battery storage pilot project as well as encourage pairing battery storage systems with all solar PV system installations. Specify that the battery uses GHG emissions for arbitrage rather than rates to increase GHG reduction potential.
Public Works
MM-1.9: Microgrid Pilot Project - Identify a site and construct a microgrid pilot project preferably for a facility serving critical functions, such as a fire station or community center activated during emergency events.
Public Works Fire
Department
MM-1.10: Energy Management - Install and utilize energy management software in existing and new buildings in order to allow for building monitoring, responsive repairs, and assessment of long-term energy trends. Provide trainings on software to facilities management.
Public Works
MM-1.11: Electrification Study – Conduct an electrification study to identify sources of natural gas and diesel which can be eliminated/ switched at time of replacement.
Public Works
MM-1.12: Additional Resources – Identify additional resources (money and staffing) to assist with implementation of Municipal Measure 1.
Public Works
Photo by Carlos Eliason
228 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures MUNICIPAL MEASURE 2: Electrify or decarbonize
100% of light-duty fleet vehicles by 2035
and 100% of municipal fleet by 2045
MM-2 establishes a plan to transition the City’s
vehicle fleet to ZEVs. This aligns with the CAAP’s
electrification strategy for the community and
allows the City to lead this effort by demonstration. Electrifying the vehicle fleet will reduce the City’s dependence on fossil fuels and
reduce and eventually eliminate GHG emissions from vehicles due to SMUD’s commitment to provide carbon free electricity by 2030.
The City of Sacramento will electrify the vehicle
fleet in a phased approach through the City’s
Fleet Sustainability Policy, which establishes a
“ZEV-first commitment.” The City will start with
light-duty vehicles and will include mediumand heavy-duty vehicles as the technology becomes available. Currently, the City’s fleet of
2,433 units is comprised of 2,179 on-road vehicles and 254 off-road vehicles. A total of 1,632 units (roughly 67% of the fleet) are less than
10 years old, while the remainder of the fleet,
numbering 801 units (15% of the fleet), is more
than 15 years old and could be replaced with
ZEVs prior to 2025 where technologies allow.
SUCCESS IN ACTION:
The City of Sacramento received the
designation of #1 government green
fleet in the nation in 2019, reflecting
the City’s long-term commitment to ZEV
adoption. Currently, 7.1% of the City’s
light-duty vehicles are ZEVs, including
electric and plug-in hybrids, while still
more are cleaner fuel alternatives,
including renewable diesel, natural gas,
hybrid, and ethanol-powered vehicles.
The City’s fleet size has reduced 18%
since 2010 and fleet fuel consumption
reduced 3.7% between 2017 and 2018.
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 9,246 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 23,009 MT CO2
e
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
Amtrack Station
Photo by Carlos Eliason
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures229 Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-2.1: ZEV First – Continue to implement the City’s adopted “Zeroemission Vehicle First” policy that directs City departments to purchase ZEVs and develop a plan to convert 100% of all light-duty vehicles in the City’s fleet to ZEVs by 2035 while forging partnerships with manufacturers to pilot medium and heavy-duty ZEVs.
Public Works All
MM-2.2: Renewable Diesel and Alternatives – Continue to use renewable diesel in all diesel fleet vehicles.
Public Works
MM-2.3: EV Chargers – Install EV charging infrastructure across City-owned facilities for fleet, motor pool vehicles, and personal vehicle fueling.
Public Works
MM-2.4: Hybrid Phase-in – Replace all expiring mid-size vehicles and trucks with hybrid models if no all-electric alternative is available.
Public Works
MM-2.5: Anti-idling Policy – Expand and enforce existing anti-idling policies on all City vehicles.
Public Works
MM-2.6: Assess opportunities to plan for and implement decarbonization of the City’s medium- and heavy-duty fleet through the procurement of electric and/or hydrogen vehicles and fueling infrastructure.
Public Works Community
Development
Department
Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
230 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures MUNICIPAL MEASURE 3: Reduce emissions
from work-related trips by City employees
MM-3 contains strategies for reducing vehicle
trips between City facilities, including prioritizing teleconferencing and telecommuting over in-person meetings or on-site office work
as feasible and encouraging active and public
transportation. Although employee commute
trips are not captured in the City’s municipal
GHG inventory, these are important supportive measures that model the broader city-wide workplace shifts that support community
reduction measures. The mechanism through
which the City plans to avoid unnecessary trips
is through incentive programs for employees
and by institutionalizing work-from-home as a
default option for many employees.
Expected GHG Reductions
• Supportive
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-3.1: Teleconferencing and Telecommuting – Promote video conferencing and telecommuting in place of in person meetings or working in the office when possible.
Human
Resources
All
Departments
MM-3.2: Vehicle Trips – Reduce vehicle trips for City business by encouraging active transportation modes, transit, and carpooling. .
Human
Resources
All
Departments
MM-3.3: Bikepools – Expand incorporation of bicycles (including electric bicycles) into City motor pool fleet for employees to use for workrelated business.
Public Works All
Departments
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 231
MUNICIPAL MEASURE 4: Reduce
municipal waste sent to landfills
MM-4 establishes a program to reduce waste
and waste-related emissions associated with
municipal facilities. MM-4 focuses on organic
waste, in alignment with the CAAP’s focus on
implementing SB 1383 and community-wide
reductions in organic waste. The City will lead
the community-wide effort to reduce and
divert organic waste through new composting
and recycling programs and employee education programs. The City does not currently track its waste output; however, MM-4.1 directs the
City to conduct a waste audit and develop a
plan for reducing waste going forward.
Expected GHG Reductions
• Supportive
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-4.1: Assess new technologies and the recyclables market periodically to determine the feasibility of reusing or recycling the most challenging portions of the City’s waste stream and developing a zerowaste plan for City facilities.
Public Works
MM-4.2: Compost and Recycling for Buildings - Ensure organics recycling collection services are available in all owned facilities, as well as ensure its availability in all future occupied facilities.
Finance
MM-4.3: Employee Outreach – Run online and in person outreach and educational events that encourage waste diversion among City employees, including the creation of a training around compost and recycling in City Facilities to be taken by all new hires during their onboarding process.
Human
Resources
All Departments
as appropriate
MM-4.4: Centralization – End deskside collection of garbage by custodial, and switch instead to combined organics, recycling and garbage stations.
Finance
MM-4.5: Update the City’s Sustainable Purchasing Policy which mandates procurement of items which have substantial quantities of recycled or reused content and are recyclable, reusable or compostable themselves.
Finance
MM-4.6: Develop and implement a plan for procuring compost, mulch, and renewable natural gas in alignment with SB 1383 requirements and using these materials for City facilities and operations.
Finance Youth, Parks,
and Community
Enrichment
232 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures MUNICIPAL MEASURE 5: Reduce emissions from
water usage/conveyance and stormwater drainage
(in MT of CO2e per MG delivered) 100% by 2030
MM-5 provides a strategy to reduce utility-related emissions associated with water usage at municipal buildings and facilities, including
transitioning to 100% carbon-free electricity for
water conveyance and stormwater drainage.
Because water and wastewater conveyance
and stormwater drainage are necessary services that the City will continue to provide through 2045 and beyond, the only way to
reduce emissions in this sector is to reduce the
carbon intensity of the electricity used, by
adding more renewable resources—through
purchase or direct construction—to the grid
mix. In 2017, water management accounted for
almost 20% of overall emissions and is therefore a key emissions sector to address.
SUCCESS IN ACTION:
The City has enacted multiple water
conservation best practices over the
past decade. 100% of Sacramento residences and businesses are connected to Advanced Metering Infrastructure
data, providing real-time water use data
online so that building owners and City
staff can track water usage and quickly
respond to leaks and water waste. In
2019, the Department of Utilities and
the Department of Public Works partnered to retrofit toilets and urinals in municipal facilities in 2019, a project
that has saved 309,000 gallons of water
every year. Additionally, the Department
of Utilities, Department of Public Works,
and the Department of Youth, Parks, and
Community Enrichment are partnering
to increase waterwise landscaping on
streetscapes.
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 6,093 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 0 MT CO2
e
Tree-lined Street
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 233
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-5.1: Purchase 100% carbon-free electricity for water conveyance and stormwater drainage needs.
Utilities
MM-5.2: Investigate deployment of on-site solar and storage projects to increase resiliency of critical water and stormwater infrastructure.
Utilities Public Works
MM-5.3: Continue to implement and track low water use landscapes (native and drought tolerant plants) for new park development per YPCE Strategic Plan Policy 2.5d and e, and the Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance.
Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Utilities
MM-5.4: Evaluate the feasibility of watering parks and landscapes with recycled water.
Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
MM-5.5: Continue to evaluate the existing watering/irrigation schedule and determine what water reduction strategies can be implemented per YPCE Strategic Plan Policy 2.5d and e. Examples include reducing the number of watering days and watering in the evening to reduce evapotranspiration.
Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment,
Public Works
Utilities
MM-5.6: Optimize the efficiency of irrigation control systems by training staff how to correctly use them. YPCE will inventory EPA WaterSense certified Smart Irrigation Controllers and host trainings to ensure that the appropriate staff learn how to operate each controller to improve the management, use, reporting, and data analysis of the irrigation control systems.
Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
Utilities
MM-5.7: Continue to report for the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance each year. YPCE will work with the Community Development Department and the Department of Utilities to submit the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Implementation Annual Report every January.
Youth,
Parks, and
Community
Enrichment
MM-5.8: Continue investigation of energy efficiency improvements of water utility operations and systems and continue to improve the energy efficiency of utility pumps and water treatment plants.
Utilities
MM-5.9: Water Conservation Inspections for City Facilities: Include landscape irrigation inspections in water conservation inspection and provide educational materials/media for building maintenance staff on how to maintain landscape irrigation and track and set leak alerts for buildings.
Utilities Departments
facilities
234 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures MUNICIPAL MEASURE 6: Improve carbon sequestration
potential of municipal parks, greenspace at City properties, and street tree planters in the public right-of-way
MM-6 provides a strategy to improve the
carbon sequestration potential of open space
and parks owned or maintained by the City,
including the installation of low-water use
landscapes, and replacing high-water use
species with low water-use species where feasible. This measure is designed to reap the ecological and carbon sequestration benefits of plants, compost, and soils while minimizing
increased water usage through water efficient
landscaping. As new carbon sequestration
opportunities and technologies emerge, such
as carbon sequestration in hardscape materials,
the City will implement additional actions
beyond those identified below.
SUCCESS IN ACTION:
Sacramento is designated as one of the
densest human-planted urban forests
in the world and one of the best urban
forests in the nation. The City currently boasts approximately 19 square miles of tree canopy and maintains
approximately 100,000 public trees.
Sacramento’s tree canopy currently
stores more than 1.5 million tons of CO2
and provides approximately $4.5 million
in annual benefits due to reduced air
pollution, reduced stormwater runoff,
and sequestered carbon. Since 2018,
the Department of Youth, Parks, and
Community Enrichment has planted
over 2,000 new trees, converted 3.5
acres of turf to low water-use landscaping, and constructed 10 new parks that meet or exceed the State- and
City-adopted Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance. The City is also
an active participant in the Global Cool
Cities Coalition.
Expected GHG Reductions
• Supportive
Carbon Sequestration with Street Planters
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 235
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-6.1: Evaluate existing park turf areas for conversion to low water use landscapes using non-irrigated, drought tolerant, or mulched landscaping.
Youth, Parks, and
Community Enrichment;
Public Works
MM-6.2: For passive recreation areas, continue to reduce landscape water usage with low-water use plants, compost, and landscape design that emphasizes drought tolerant
plants and mulch areas.
Youth, Parks, and
Community Enrichment
Public Works
MM-6.3: Investigate and explore options for carbon
sequestration at City facilities such as through carbon sequestration in materials for construction and hardscapes or soil health restoration projects.
Youth, Parks, and
Community Enrichment
Public Works
McKinley Park
236 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures MUNICIPAL MEASURE 7: Procure carbonfree electricity by 2030 MM-7 aligns with SMUD’s 2030 Zero Carbon
Plan which will provide the City with 100%
carbon-free electricity by 2030. While there are
no specific municipal actions listed, the City
will support SMUD in the implementation of
the 2030 Zero Carbon Plan as highlighted in
the community actions (Chapter 6). This
measure directly supports additional GHG
emissions reductions from MM-1 by driving to
zero the electricity emissions that would otherwise be added from new all-electric equipment.
SUCCESS IN ACTION:
Past efforts to procure carbon-free
electricity for Sacramento have included
installations of over 4 MW of on-site
solar power. About 35% of the City’s
municipal power currently comes
from on-site solar or community solar
through the SolarShares program. The
SolarShares program generated 4,190
MWh of community solar power in 2019.
Expected GHG Reductions
• 2030: 8,198 MT CO2
e
• 2045: 0 MT CO2
e
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-7.1: Procure carbon-free electricity for municipal operations by 2030. Office of Climate Action
& Sustainability
All
Departments
as appropriate
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN
10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures 237
MUNICIPAL MEASURE 8: Reduce City
employee commuter VMT
While employee commute is not included in
the municipal GHG emissions inventory, the
City chose to establish employee commute
VMT reduction goals going forward to set an
example for community-wide VMT reduction.
MM-8 establishes various incentives, including
financial incentives and programs to encourage municipal employees to reduce their commute VMT. This measure ensures the City
and its employees are doing their fair share
towards reducing VMT in the community, providing leadership through demonstration. A 2021 survey of 600 City employees found that
nearly 90% of respondents drove to work alone
before the COVID-19 pandemic and that 77%
commuted between 12-20 miles round trip
each workday. While the City cannot require
employees to choose alternate commuting
methods, MM-8 will help promote alternative
options and incentives to City employees to
choose transportation modes other than single-occupancy vehicles to commute to work and actively reduce their own VMT.
Expected GHG Reductions
• Supportive
Actions and Implementation
Action Lead Support
MM-8.1: Establish a Transportation Demand Management program for City employees.
Human
Resources
All
Departments
as appropriate
MM-8.2: Survey City staff to determine baseline commute data. Conduct a new survey every 2 years.
Human
Resources,
Information
Technology
MM-8.3: Conduct internal outreach to educate staff on available incentives and solicit feedback on which options work best and how to improve incentives/reduce hurdles to implementation.
Human
Resources
MM-8.4: Paid Time Off Rewards Program – Implement a sustainable commute rewards program rewarding employees with time off for using alternative modes of transportation.
Human
Resources
MM-8.5: Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit – Continue providing pre-tax commuter benefits for transit commuters and encourage use of commuter benefits for bicycle commuters as allowed by federal law.
Human
Resources
238 10. Municipal GHG Reduction Measures > GHG Reduction Measures Action Lead Support
MM-8.6: Parking Cash-out – Engage with labor partners to explore alternatives to traditional employee commute provisions such as City-provided parking and parking stipends, and instead incentivize carpooling, public transit, and active transportation.
Human
Resources
MM-8.7: Dynamic Ridematch – Promote the regional carpool matching platform that allows employees to request carpool with peers on days and times when they are needed.
Human
Resources
MM-8.8: Remote work – Promote and support working remotely for employees where possible by encouraging it for office employees as appropriate, by providing necessary equipment, training, and encouraging all meetings (when possible) to be set up for web conferencing so that people who aren’t physically in the room can attend.
Allow for hybrid work-from-home schedules to increase flexibility for employees.
Human
Resources
Information
Technology
MM-8.9: Provide secure and enclosed parking for bikes and e-bikes at City facilities as funding becomes available.
Public Works
Facilities
All
Departments
as appropriate
Bicycle Commuters
Photo by Carlos Eliason
City of Sacramento
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION PLAN