Climate Action Plan

WHAT IS A “CLIMATE ACTION PLAN”?

A Climate Action Plan, or CAP, is a comprehensive policy document that outlines specific activities a City will undertake to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Both the State of California and the United States government have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On a State level, Assembly Bill 32 requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or GHG emissions, to below or equivalent to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Senate Bill 32 requires the State to reduce these same GHG emission levels to 40% below the 1990 levels by the year 2030.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, or GHG emissions, are commonly found are gases that trap heat in our atmosphere, ultimately destroying our ozone layer. There are 4 major gas categories: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), and Fluorinated gases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States produced 6,457 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent in 2017. 82% of these GHG emissions were Carbon Dioxide and directly tied into human activities. The majority of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere comes from the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) for energy and transportation. The ozone layer is the protective barrier between the Earth and the sun’s harmful rays. One of the most impactful gases is the carbon dioxide released into our air by our vehicles. City Staff are working to find solutions to reducing our GHG emissions in order to meet the State and Federal requirements as quickly as possible.

In 2017, City Staff initiated CAP work with a consultant support team from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). City Staff currently is working directly with SANDAG and an additional consultant support team from Energy Policy Initiate Center with the University of San Diego (EPIC), and Ascent Environmental.

Many of our surrounding communities have already jumped on board and completed or are working on their Climate Action Plan document. In order for us to meet our projected targets, we are reaching out to our constituents of Lemon Grove. Whether you are a resident, business owner, employee, or simply enjoy spending your time in Lemon Grove, we need your help.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PROCESS?

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA provides a very basic implementation program for local governments to follow:

Step 1: The first step was to create and develop a GHG inventory of Lemon Grove. Data provided by EPIC totals 129,400 MT CO₂e/yr. This is the measurement of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Step 2: The second step is an ongoing process that involves the entire community. It is important to reach out and communicate with our fellow constituents as well as maintain an open dialogue before, during and after the project.
Step 3: Step three is to set goals and select actions for the City to maintain and promote. City Staff is working closely with the consultant support team to create and select these goals and actions.
Step 4: Step 4 requires the City to obtain the necessary resources to complete the research, whether this is additional funding, staff, more technical expertise, etc.
Step 5: The fifth step is designed to implement the goals and actions selected in the previous step. It is essential to take action to continue the process and promote a more green, environmentally-friendly City.
Step 6: The last step is also an ongoing effort by the City and its constituents. It is especially important to recognize the successes and changes that come after implementing these goals and actions. This last step is to develop, track, analyze, and report on various markers and projected target dates to ensure the City’s continued efforts and successes.

The City would like to focus our efforts on 5 major reduction strategies: Transportation, Energy, Waste, Water, and Carbon Sequestration.

Transportation – By increasing renewable and alternative fuel usage, we can significantly reduce our fuel usage. In addition, as a City, we would like to reduce our overall vehicle miles traveled. To achieve this, City Staff and our consultant team have considered transitioning to more fuel-efficient municipal vehicle fleets, installing electric vehicle charging stations, and developing a transportation demand management (TDM) plan.
Energy – Energy efficiency is both an economic necessity and an environmental necessity. By increasing our City’s energy efficiency, we can actually start saving money! By promoting building retrofits and energy upgrades, we should be able to increase energy efficiency. Renewable energy is another alternative to reducing our natural gas usage. Renewable energy options include solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and many more.
Waste – Waste is another reduction strategy that is easily obtainable. By providing more opportunities to divert waste, we can reduce our outputted waste. By encouraging recycling, increase our scrap collecting, and reducing our solid waste, we should be able to reduce our waste output.
Water – It is important to conserve our water and improve our water efficiency. This can be achieved by promoting rebate programs and more xeriscaping and drought-tolerant plants to replace traditional grass lawns.
Carbon Sequestration – Carbon Sequestration can be achieved in a number of ways, most of them by increasing the number of trees present. Carbon Sequestration is the removal of carbon dioxide when it is absorbed by plants. Increasing trees and tree canopy coverage will help improve air quality and increase the number of people walking on the streets. Providing tree shade in surface lots can also help by reducing the number of emissions released back into the air.

What can you do to get involved with CAP? Participate in as many ways as you possibly can, get your family, friends, and neighbors involved, too. You can start by taking our survey posted below. The City will be hosting a series of public workshops and community events that will be essential to CAP. Check back to the website frequently for an updated calendar of events that you can attend and participate in. Every little bit helps!

City of Lemon Grove

Climate Action Plan