City of Santa Cruz Fights Global Warming

City of Santa Cruz Fights Global Warming

For over two decades, the City of Santa Cruz has taken many steps to reduce and respond to Global Warming and Climate Change.  Here is a sampling of some of those key initiatives.

POLICY LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION
Created Solar Municipal Utility (1982)
    Joined ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (1998)
    Joined Bay Area Solar Consortium (March, 1999)
    Adopted Zero Waste as long-term City Goal (Oct., 2000)
    Endorsed the Kyoto Protocol and Million Solar Roofs Initiative (March, 2005)
    Adopted U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (2005)
    Adopted Climate Action Declaration (Oct., 2006) with the following objectives:
        Cut greenhouse gases by 30% by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels)
        Cut Greenhouse Gases by 80% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels)
        All new buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030
        Establish metrics to monitor performance and progress
        Participate in emissions trading as appropriate
    Approved new General Plan Goal (Feb., 2007):
        Effective leadership and action in reducing and responding to global warming
    Emissions Inventories completed for 1996 and 2000; completing inventories for 2005 and 1990
    Signed Climate Action Compact with Santa Cruz County and UC Santa Cruz (Sept. 2007)
    Adopted World Mayors and Local governments Climate Protection Agreement (Jan. 2008)

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION
    Constructed landfill and sewage treatment gas-to-electricity generation systems (1991)
    Over 100 kW of solar photovoltaic systems installed on City facilities since 2001
    Considering installation of 1,000 kW system to offset Desalination Plant energy use
    Installed Energy Accounting System to reduce usage and costs of electricity and natural gas
    Use real-time metering and off-peak scheduling for Water and Wastewater treatment plants
    Converted all possible lighting and traffic signals to energy efficient sources and LED’s
    Mandatory water conservation retrofits required upon sale of all properties within service area
    Initiated curbside recyclables (1987), 50% diversion (2000), & 62% diversion (2005)
    Now implementing single day/single truck collection of solid waste, recyclables and GreenCycle
    Residential and commercial rebates provided for water and energy efficient installations
    Water Efficient Landscaping ordinance and standards adopted

LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION
    City encircled by natural green and blue belt (open space, parks, rivers and Monterey Bay)
    New development focused Downtown and on transportation corridors
    Affordable housing increased through nationally recognized Accessory Dwelling Unit program
    Mandatory Green Building standards for both commercial and residential construction (Jan., 2007)
    All CEQA reviews include consideration of Global Warming and Climate Change (Jan., 2007)
    River levees raised to reduce flood risks for Downtown areas
    Established Urban Forest Program and recognized as a Tree City for several years
    Aggressive support for bicycle and pedestrian routes and services, including financial incentives
    City fleet includes 24 alternately fueled vehicles; All landfill equipment/vehicles use biodiesel
    Current studies underway with University for Bus and Personal Rapid Transit Systems

Planning & Community Development    Ross Clark, Climate Action Coordinator
Preserving our Place – Shaping our Space    831/420-5113  rclark@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us