DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan - Climate Action Plan
SUMMARY:
A briefing on Climate Action Planning and potential next steps.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan is one of three growth-related plans of the City of San Antonio's SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, adopted by City Council August 11, 2016. The Sustainability Plan addresses how the City’s expected population growth will be balanced with our social, economic, and environmental resources. The Sustainability Plan articulates the City’s Sustainability strategy and serves as a roadmap to make our community and municipal operations more sustainable. <http://www.sasustainabilityplan.com>
The SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan includes three climate-related appendices:
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory assessed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from community for the calendar year 2014. The results of this assessment indicate the best opportunities to reduce emissions within the community are within buildings and transportation.
The Climate Vulnerability Assessment was developed by bringing together the best available science with a multi‐departmental, multi‐organizational team of experts from across the city to identify key concerns and evaluate the potential current and long-term climate vulnerability of assets, resources, and segments of the community, such as extreme heat and impacts to vulnerable populations, increased vector borne diseases, and increased flooding.
A Climate Trends and Projections Analysis was completed for San Antonio by world renowned climate scientist, Texas Tech professor, and Texas native, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. The report provided by Dr. Hayhoe and her team highlighted what scientists know about why climate is changing, and what this means for the future. They analyzed observed trends in San Antonio and compare them with those seen across Texas and the South Central region. Finally, they summarized qualitative projected future changes across the South Central region.
On June 7, 2016, the Comprehensive Plan Council Committee passed a motion requesting staff to provide an update as part of the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan presentation to City Council at their August 3, 2016 “B” Session, providing best practices, potential scope, and next steps in developing a climate action plan.
ISSUE:
Staff will present what a Climate Action Plan (CAP) consists of, potential costs that would be required, and next steps if City Council determines to initiate the development of a Climate Action Plan.
A Climate Action Plan is a set of strategies intended to guide efforts for climate change mitigation and consists of actions to limit the magnitude or rate of long-term climate change. Climate change mitigation involves reductions in human emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
There are significant benefits to having a Climate Action Plan that include helping build community resilience, promoting economic competitiveness, contributing to improved public health, welfare and safety of the community, preserving vital ecosystems and species, conserving water resources, creating jobs and enhancing national and global security, along with helping avoid the cost of not taking action.
ALTERNATIVES:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the following next steps:
• Work with partner organizations; begin preliminary community education to increase awareness and understanding of climate change
• Briefing to Transportation, Technology, and Utilities Council Committee in April 2017 on status of community education and awareness