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up(c) 2008, Jeffrey Harlan, Esq., LEED AP, Senior Planner, The Planning CenterLocal jurisdictions are at the front lines of the fight to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. From assessing municipal operations to developing public policies and programs to evaluating private development plans, cities and counties serve as critical leverage points to address climate change impacts, directly and indirectly. In addition to regulatory and legal grounds (
discussed here), there a number of other reasons why local governments should take action on climate change.
Delivery of Public Services: All facets of government operation, including the delivery of public services, are impacted by climate change. The various and wide ranging consequences of climate change – increased air temperature, rising sea levels, irregular precipitation patterns, diminished water supplies, impaired water quality, disruption of agricultural cycles – will undeniably impact the built environment and a local government’s ability to provide essential services. Preparing for, adapting to, and mitigating these impacts will increase a jurisdiction’s ability be resilient and best manage its risks. Ultimately, planning for climate change will enable local governments to best serve their citizens.
Early Action: CARB has already identified
“early actions” to reduce GHG emissions. Several of these reduction measures could involve local governments (e.g., landfill methane capture, green ports, residential refrigeration, etc.)
Local Land Use Decision-making:CARB also intends to look at state regulation of land use, traditionally a local responsibility, in order to meet GHG targets.
Legislation has been introduced to link state-issued transportation funding to local development projects that are consistent with regional plans (“Blueprints”), which incorporate smart growth and sustainable development policies. If such legislation is passed, local jurisdictions would have a direct financial incentive to ensure their plans and projects comport with regional Blueprints and reduce GHG emissions.
Opportunity to Integrate and Optimize Operations:Climate change is also driving local governments to examine their operations and development decisions from a more holistic perspective. Local decision-makers and city management are recognizing the clear nexus between land use, transportation, building, energy, water, and other systems. Taking an integrated, systems-based approach to dealing with climate change issues requires cities to move away from traditional silo thinking, where each department is a separate entity responsible for a narrow service area. Note:
CARB has just released it's draft local government operations protocol for review.Public Awareness:In the last few years, climate change has moved beyond being a fashionable buzzword and entered the public consciousness. Active and organized communities are becoming more attuned to how individual behavior impacts the environment. Not surprisingly, constituents may demand more of their elected officials and city staff to know about and address local climate change impacts.
Climate Policy Toolkit
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