DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas R. Melnick, AICP, ISSP-SA, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
SUMMARY:
A Briefing on the Status of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan is one of three growth-related plans of the City of San Antonio's SA Tomorrow 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 and can be viewed at <http://www.sasustainabilityplan.com> and provides a foundation for climate action as it includes a Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Climate Vulnerability Assessment, and Climate Trends Analysis.
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. On September 14, 2016, Transportation Technology and Utilities Committee approved a recommendation by City staff to conduct an initial public survey process and presented next steps at the April 12, 2017 Transportation Technology and Utilities Committee Meeting, as well as part of the SA Tomorrow Briefing at the April 19, 2017 “B-Session”.
On June 22, 2017, City Council passed a resolution in support of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Mayor’s National Climate Action Agenda, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore the potential benefits and costs of adopting policies and programs that promote the long-term goal of greenhouse gas emissions reduction while maximizing economic and social co-benefits of such action.
On June 27, 2017 CPS Energy committed to providing $500,000 to the University of Texas at San Antonio to work with the City of San Antonio on the development of a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
ISSUE:
As part of the implementation of the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan and City Council’s Paris Climate Agreement resolution, the Office of Sustainability has been coordinating with CPS Energy and the University of Texas at San Antonio on the development of Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and this briefing will provide update on the scope of work and timeline.
The scope of work includes:
o Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHG) Update
o Climate Mitigation Strategies
o Climate Adaptation Strategies
o Climate Projections
o Economic Cost-Benefit Analysis
o Equity Framework
o Smart City Framework
o Communications Plan
o Public Engagement Plan
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatives to supporting the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan scope and timeline, as presented, would be to approve the scope and timeline with modifications, or to postpone or deny approval. Postponement or failure to approve the scope and timeline not directly impact City operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This briefing covers the general approach, scope and timeline for the development of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and does not have a fiscal impact on operations.
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends committee discussion and endorsement of the scope of work and timeline.