Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1331215421
Applicant Information
Name vahidreza bitarafhaghighi
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? No
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
No
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
No
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Sustainability Commission
Applicant Qualifications
Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi
Office Use Only
Date Received:
__________
Voter registration
verified:
Office Use Only
Date Received: __________
Voter registration verified:
On: ___________________
By: ___________________
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By: ___________________
4/3/25
N/A
MH
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
for the past 9 years, I have been working in Sunnyvale as the Founder of Energy & Sustainability department of Plug and Play, the largest innovation platform in the world. I found this oportunity to give back to the community that I belong in Sunnyvale.
I have been inspired by my colleague Manvee Sandhu who sits on the council of Vackaville at the age of 25. He has been very motivational in terms of his impact in the community he gres in and I'd like to be able to do the same in Sunnyvale.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I have been able to build a department at Plug and Play for technology companies tackling climate change. Through this work, we form partnership with the key stakeholders in the private sector such as senior executives in large corporations that are looking for innovative solutions.
On the other hand, we have learned how to invest in startup companies that have exponential growth trajectory while maintaining enviromental impact as a key priority. We
accelerated over 260 startups over the years and would love to bring that know how and expertise to the council of Sunnyvale.
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
I will be advising with policy leaders within my network to build frameworks and best practices that can apply to City Council and bring them to the meetings in a cadence that slowly and sustainably can be implemented.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
Master Degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University
Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from Lamar University Texas.
Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering from Shiraz University.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I voluntarily acted as the Silicon Valley Ambassador of the nonprofit organization, Energy Innovation Network, for a year and regularly advise early stage startups that are looking for go to market strategies, funding or customer acquisition.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Sustainability Commission
Category One: I’m a Sunnyvale
resident.
No
Category Two: I’m a Sunnyvale
business community member.*
Yes
Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi
Sustainability is a new and
emerging concern in many
communities. What do you think
are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will
be addressing over the next few
years?
As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent concern in communities, I believe the Sustainability Commission will need to address several key policy issues over the next few years:
Decarbonization and Renewable Energy Adoption - Transitioning the city's energy systems away from fossil fuels will be crucial.
This includes expanding access to renewable energy sources, incentivizing energy efficiency in buildings, and supporting electrification efforts in transportation and industry.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation - With climate-related risks like extreme weather, rising temperatures, and water shortages becoming more frequent, the city must prioritize resilient infrastructure, urban cooling strategies, and emergency preparedness measures.
Sustainable Transportation and Mobility - Reducing emissions from transportation is a critical challenge. This involves expanding public transit options, investing in bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and supporting the adoption of electric vehicles through charging infrastructure and incentives.
Waste Reduction and Circular Economy - Addressing waste management through enhanced recycling programs, composting initiatives, and policies that promote a circular economy can help minimize landfill use and reduce environmental impact.
Water Conservation and Quality - Sustainable water management, including stormwater capture, wastewater reuse, and
conservation policies, will be increasingly important as communities face water scarcity and pollution concerns.
Equity and Community Engagement - Sustainability policies must be inclusive, ensuring that disadvantaged communities have equitable access to clean energy, green spaces, and economic opportunities in the sustainability sector. Meaningful community engagement will be essential for crafting policies that reflect the needs of all residents.
Description Area View the Climate Action Playbook
Have you read the above version
of the Climate Action Playbook?
Yes
Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi
What are your thoughts on the
Playbook? How might the actions
("Plays") be improved?
The Sunnyvale Climate Action Playbook is a strong framework for local climate action, demonstrating a clear commitment to carbon neutrality by 2045 through practical, measurable goals. Its "Game Plan 2028" provides near-term actions that align with long-term sustainability priorities, such as clean energy adoption, building decarbonization, sustainable transportation, and climate resilience. However, here are some areas for enhancement:
Stronger Equity Measures - While the Playbook emphasizes community engagement, it could go further by ensuring that sustainability policies prioritize low-income and historically marginalized communities through targeted investments and workforce development programs.
Faster Electrification & Incentives - The plan focuses on building and transportation decarbonization, but it could accelerate these efforts with more aggressive incentives for homeowners and businesses to electrify buildings and switch to EVs.
More Ambitious Waste & Circular Economy Goals - While aiming for zero waste, the Playbook could include stronger producer responsibility programs and policies that mandate reusable packaging in commercial sectors.
Regional & Private Sector Partnerships - Sustainability doesn't stop at city borders. Strengthening collaborations with neighboring cities, regional transit agencies, and private sector leaders could lead to bolder climate solutions and
resource-sharing opportunities.
Enhanced Tracking & Accountability - The Playbook provides a roadmap but could benefit from more frequent progress reports and public dashboards to maintain momentum and adapt to emerging challenges.
Overall, Sunnyvale's climate leadership is commendable, but with more ambitious policies, stronger equity considerations, and expanded partnerships, the city could accelerate its path toward a more resilient, low-carbon future.
Demographic Information
Your age
Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi
Your gender
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name vahidreza bitarafhaghighi
Date Apr 02, 2025
Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi