HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item - 2009-09-21 (03) Memorandum
To: SAB
From: Craig Diamond
Date: Sept. 14, 2009
Re: Needed Decisions on Climate Change Action Plan
Please see below a memo that was sent out the same day as last month's SAB meeting.
There was not enough time for members to read it, and we also did not have adequate
time to discuss it at the meeting.
There are several decisions that SAB needs to make in regard to moving forward with a
climate action plan. I would like to focus on the following decision points at next week's
meeting:
• Who on the SAB will work on this effort? Right now, Matt is the only individual
assigned to this task.
• Should the SAB recommend the creation of a stakeholder group as outlined in the
memo below, including the proposal that SAB appoint the members of such a
group?
• Does the SAB support having the City Council approve the final climate action
plan?
• Does the SAB support the main steps outlined in the memo below?
• Is the SAB ready to submit a recommendation memo to Council?
To: SAB
From: Craig Diamond, Matt Briggs, Susan Millhauser
Date: August 17, 2009
Re: Climate Change Action Plan—Proposed Approach
At the July SAB meeting, Matt led a discussion of how the SAB should lead the effort of
developing a climate change action plan(CCAP) for the entire community of Lake
Oswego. This memo is the next step in that process, outlining key recommendations and
remaining questions regarding the development of a CCAP.
Many communities have developed specific plans to address climate change. These
plans can seek to reduce GHG emissions, or they can address responses to a changing
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climate (i.e., adaptation). We are proposing that the scope of the climate change action
plan for Lake Oswego address GHG emissions but not adaptation, as adaptation has not
been raised yet as a major issue in the community. That component can be added later if
necessary.
Also, the SAB has agreed that addressing climate change is a matter of urgency, and
therefore a CCAP should be developed as quickly as feasible. I think that a shared
assumption of the SAB is that a CCAP should be completed in advance of a broader
sustainability plan/framework.
Another key element of the CCAP would be that the City Council would ultimately
approve the plan. This suggests that City staff and resources would be heavily involved
in its creation.
The following are the proposed major steps in developing a CCAP:
1) Create a stakeholder advisory body of some kind that will guide the creation of the
CCAP. Many communities have created a stakeholder body to steer the development of
their CCAPs. For example, Portland's plan
(http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=41896)was guided by a rather large
group of community stakeholders and city staff. The following is a proposed model for
an advisory group in LO:
Purpose: to guide the City in developing a CCAP for the entire LO community. The
group could either be disbanded once the plan is complete (thus being an ad hoc group),
or it could remain intact(although less active moving forward) as a body that provides
advice on LO's response to climate change.
Structure and membership: the members would be appointed by the SAB. If the City
Council could approve of this approach, it would likely expedite the process significantly.
Membership would be comprised of different stakeholder segments (business,
environmental, social equity). If possible, it would also include individuals with
technical expertise on community climate change planning. Once convened, the group
would appoint a chairperson. The group would be staffed by City employees, and City
staff would attend the meetings (the City of LO would be considered both a convener and
a stakeholder in the process). The group would also include 2-3 SAB members.
2)Secure resources for assisting in development of the plan. It would be best if the City
could provide funding to hire expert consultants.
3) Conduct a city-wide GHG baseline assessment(i.e., inventory). This has been
completed for LO City operations,but not for the all sources of GHGs in the community.
Metro is compiling data for region-wide emissions,but it is not clear if those data will be
sufficient to create an accurate and thorough baseline for all types of emissions in LO.
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4) Write a draft CCAP, which should include quantitative targets (with timelines) for
GHG reductions, and key actions needed to achieve those targets.
5)Publish the draft CCAP and receive public comments.
6)Finalize the plan based on public comments. Approval by City Council.
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