SR-111108-13D13-D
November 11, 2008
Council Meeting: November 11, 2008 Santa Monica, California
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE -MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: Councilmember O'Connor and Mayor Pro Tempore Bloom
Date: November 11, 2008
13-D: Request of Councilmember Pam O'Connor and Mayor Pro Tem Richard
Bloom that the City of Santa Monica sign the Los Angeles Regional
Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability Charter and instruct the
City Manager to support and participate in this worthwhile effort and,
further, that the City of Santa Monica encourage other local jurisdictions
and key stakeholders throughout Los Angeles County to formally
participate in this Collaborative.
13-D
November 11, 2008
The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & sustainability recognizes. that there is a
profound need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration to not only mitigate, but effectively adapt to these
climactic threats. Public agencies, the business community, academia, labor, and environmental and
community groups can work cooperatively to:
In order to comply with AB 32, establish a regional inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and
develop an action plan to efficiently and effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Establish and implement an action plan to efficiently and effectively reduce greenhouse gas
emission levels on a regional level.
Achieve cost savings for partnering agencies through regional education forums, tools and trainings,
and green procurement pools.
- Share information and best practices on climate change and sustainability goals.
- Develop a consistent communication plan for informing stakeholders in the Los Angeles region of
the urgency in addressing global climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Leverage State and Federal resources, including energy block grants, to pursue greenhouse gas
reduction strategies.
The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action &sustainability seeks to establish a
nimble network that will be positioned to provide essential guidance and coordination to meet our
evolving climate action and sustainability goals.
Los Angeles Regional Collaborative
For ClimaPe Action & Sustainabifity
~fi;~aT=~`r~'~
PREA1ViBLE
The United Nations World Council on the Environment and Development defines
sustainability as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. Climate change poses the greatest challenge
to achieving sustainability for our generation.
Global scientific consensus has concluded that our consumption of carbon-based fossil fuels
increases the concentrations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our atmosphere. This,
in turn, causes an increase in global temperature. A warming climate is expected to cause
increased frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events that threaten our economic
productivity and quality of life. In the Los Angeles region this may be experienced through:
Rising Tides, Violent Storms and Floods. Many communities and key
infrastructure, including the Los Angeles/Long Beach Ports -the nation's busiest
trade port, and the Los Angeles International Airport -the world's 5'" busiest airport,
are located in low-lying coastal areas.
• Hotter, Dryer Days. Prolonged heat waves will increase the frequency and intensity
of episodic smog-forming conditions exposing us to more air pollution, increased
respiratory and heat-related illnesses, and will burden the healthcare system.
Reduced average annual precipitation and shorter rainy season, along with longer
droughts will reduce water supplies and their reliability.
Increased Frequency of Wildfires. Numerous forest and scrub-adjacent
communities and infrastructure will be threatened, increasing protection and re-
location costs and damaging ecosystems.
• Reduced Water and Energy Reliability. Hotter temperatures will affect water
supply reliability and food production and place great stress on our energy grid.
Increased fuel and energy price volatility will greatly impact our region's economic
and social development.
The anticipated adverse impacts on our region's environment, health, economy and social
well-being provide the impetus for an urgent call to action. State policies, such as
California's landmark Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32) mandate a reduction
in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. However, the scientific
.consensus is that in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, a
reduction of 80% below 1990 levels is necessary, as acknowledged by Governor
Schwarzenegger's Executive Order S-305. The need for embracing climate change action
through regional collaboration is clear, as no one agency, company, individual or group can
address these challenges independently.
The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action &sustainability' recognizes that
there is a profound need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration to promote energy efficiency,
renewable energy, and other best practices at the local, State and Federal levels. These
practices will provide multiple benefits by reducing our dependence on fossil fuel, increasing
~ For logistical purposes, the geographic scope will initially include, but not be limited to the County of Los
Angeles. The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative is comprised of multiple co-equal partners and does not fall
under the jurisdiction of any one governmental entity.
i_~s ~ngeies i~egior~al Coll~bt~rative
For Clirnate,4cticn & Susfainabitity
our local renewable energy capabilities, and creating green employment opportunities.
Coordinated efforts with our land use, transportation, infrastructure, energy, and resource-
management partners will prepare our communities to best meet these challenges and
sustain our quality of life.
PURPOSE ST~TEIYiE~T
The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability is a
network of leadership from government, the business community, academia,
labor, and environmental and community groups designed to encourage greater
coordination and cooperation at the local and regional levels. The purpose of
this collaboration is to share information, foster partnerships, and develop
system-wide strategies to address climate change and promote a green
economy through sustainable communities.
Ct7LLAE34}t'~E1TdVE C5t3JECTlVESZ
• Build a regional action plan to 1) establish baselines of current greenhouse gas
emission levels, 2) identify greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and
mandates, 3) develop a mechanism for tracking progress in reducing those
emissions, and 4) provide strategies to help meet those goals.
• Proactively create cross-jurisdictional and public-private partnerships in support of
the regional action plan development and implementation.
• Work together to leverage local, state and federal resources to implement the
regional action plan.
• Share information and best practices on climate change and other sustainability
goals.
• Develop a consistent communication plan for informing stakeholders of the Los
Angeles region of the urgency in addressing global climate change and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
ORO.~Ni~~Tle~~ Si~tv~TURE
Organization Name:
Signed By:
Title:
Signature:
Date: 1 1
z Signing onto this Charter does not supersede any powers vested to the signatory.
2
Los Angeles Regional Collaborative
for Climate Action & sustainability
REGIOh~AL A~dD MECVI~ER 13E~EFiTS
Through collaborative efforts, members can expect the following benefits:
Opportunity to participate in the development of a "Los Angeles Regional
Action Plan," as well as the opportunity to provide input on the development
and prioritization of regional greenhouse gas reduction programs.
• Access to technical resources for establishing greenhouse gas emissions
"baseline" reports, and indicators in support of the sustainability blueprint.
Resource savings through economies of scale with the development of
regional education and training, marketing, green procurement and
community information tools.
Enhanced access to federal grants, public-private partnership financing
opportunities, and future carbon revenues that may be authorized for the
purpose of addressing climate change and related sustainability objectives.
Access to discussions, workshops and conferences with public agencies,
private-sector entities, non-profits and other interest groups on sustainability
issues impacting the region.
Access to regular updates and analyses on legislative and regulatory issues,
ballot initiatives, local ordinances and other issues that impact regional
sustainability.
Input on the development and promotion of pilot projects and input on the
expansion of successful projects where appropriate and feasible.
Los ,~rrgeles regional Collaborative
1=or Climafe AcPion ~ 9asfainabilify
INITIAL BY-L~W~
ORG~ANIZdtTIONd&L STRUCTURE
The. organizational structure of the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative is designed
to focus the wide scope and diversity of individual partner's perspectives, interests,
and specializations.
The Collaborative will provide policy and programmatic recommendations to its
member agencies. Individual organizations will be encouraged to work together on
issues of mutual interest and additionally, to develop individual positions on issues
germane to their own organizations.
~itEi~BERSH9F'
The Steering Committee will initially be comprised of representatives from the
founding signatories. Invitations will be extended to others based on agreement by
the Committee.
An invitation to participate in the Steering Committee will be extended to
representatives from a diverse cross-section of cities, businesses and community
groups throughout the region, and others as deemed appropriate.
Membership in the broader Collaborative is open to any organization that agrees to
the partnership objectives described above.
Agencies will be recognized as Collaborative members upon formal adoption of the
charter by their respective Chief Executive Officer or Governing Body, as determined
by the decision-making process of each prospective member organization.
Information and resources generated by the Collaborative will be made available to
the public. An invitation to participate in Working Groups may be extended to non-
member agencies.
STEERING Gt31~tN3lTTEE
The Steering Committee is the organizing body of the Collaborative. The official
duties of the Steering Committee will include the following:
Guide the direction, scope, and duration of issue-based Work Groups.
Manage the budget and raise funds for administration and other efforts of
the Collaborative.
Leverage media relations in order to inform the public of the programs and
progress of the Collaborative.
Hire, and evaluate the performance of, the Network Facilitator.
4
Los Angeles ~agional Gol(aborative
Far Clirtrate Actian & Susfainabilify
REGULAR MEETINGS
The Steering Committee will meet on a monthly basis. A majority of members
constitutes a quorum.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the Steering Committee may be called by the Network
Facilitator or a majority of the members. Member notification will be well in advance
as practicable, but at least seventy-two (72) hours notice will be given.
PUBLIC NOTICE
General Collaborative meetings will be open to the public.
The meetings of the Steering Committee will be by invitation.
WORK GROUPS
Work Groups, which are to be formed and disbanded by the Steering Committee,
may be created in order to make recommendations, and pursue programmatic
objectives and pilot projects. Said Work Groups may convene meetings without
public notice.
The Work Groups shall provide technical and policy analysis and evaluation on
specified projects and programs (including pilot projects, model ordinances, regional
indicators and other metrics) and make recommendations to the Steering Committee
and Collaborative based on Work Group research and findings.
AGENDA
Every meeting will have an agenda circulated to members in advance of the
meeting. The agenda and minutes of previous meetings will be approved at the
beginning of each meeting.
DECISION MAKING
Discussion items may be introduced by any member of the Collaborative. The
member should notify the Network Facilitator in advance of the meeting so that the
item can be included in the Agenda. A member representative may either present
the item directly or allow the Network Facilitator to do so. All decisions will be made
based on consensus of the Steering Committee.
Los Angeles ~?egion~l Collaborative
For Climate Action R Bus#ainability
NETWORK FACILITATOR
A designated network facilitator will be hired and tasked with coordinating each
Steering Committee meeting.
The official duties of the Network Facilitator will include the following:
Develop meeting agendas, notify members of meetings, and record
minutes.
Develop a funding action plan that outlines administrative and
programmatic funding opportunities, public-private partnerships, grants,
endowments, and if appropriate, the potential for a membership dues
structure.
Facilitate the sharing of best management practices and technologies by
bridging communication gaps between members.
Moderate Steering Committee meetings as anon-voting member.
Assist in resolving conflict between members.
• Ensure that the ongoing efforts of each Work Group are coordinated and
help ensure that the tasks undertaken by the Work Groups are conducted
in an efficient and effective manner.
Establish media relations in order to inform the public of the programs and
progress of the Collaborative.
Act as a liaison and point of contact for member requests, information
gathering and other assigned tasks determined by the Steering
Committee.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings of each Work Group, and report the
Work Group's findings and progress to the Steering Committee, unless the
Work Group designates a specific member of the Work Group to report
the findings and progress to the Steering Committee.
Trouble-shoot new issues or policy initiatives and identify and pursue new
informational resources or experts to assist the group in meeting its policy
goals.
6
Los Angeles Regional Collaboratjve
Far Ciir~afe.4cfian & Susfainaistlify
1NITIL ~~~~ ~3F Wt34(
Needs Assessment: Conduct a needs assessment of the region, including
an annual survey and analysis of current and proposed efforts to meet
greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and begin the development of a
regional climate change action plan, regional goals, and priority areas to
target for greenhouse gas emission reduction.
• Outreach Strategy: Develop a plan that actively engages a diverse cross-
section of cities, other units of government, community and environmental
organizations, labor unions and business organizations, and other relevant
groups throughout Los Angeles County in the proceedings of the
Collaborative.
Work Groups: Form and coordinate Work Groups, as necessary, to focus on
specific projects and/or policy coordination on issues such as:
o Public Relations: Communicate a shared message emphasizing the
urgency and impacts of global climate change to the residents of the
Los Angeles region. Undertake regional sustainability/climate change
education, marketing and outreach.
o Procurement: Coordinate regional public/private procurement
opportunities (economies of scale) to reduce cost of purchasing green
products.
o Legislative Monitoring: Coordinate monitoring of regulatory
proceedings at the local, State and Federal levels and assist in the
implementation of legislative mandates on the regional level.
o Model Ordinances: Coordinate model programs and ordinances for
the individual jurisdictions or other partners to consider for green
building, water conservation, waste management and other best
practices.
• Best Management Practices: Identify, research, and share sustainable best
management practices and technologies that will help to address global
climate change and other major environmental challenges.
Pilot Projects: Facilitate pilot projects in appropriate locations to highlight
specific sustainability performance objectives, to possibly include the
following categories:
o Smart Growth and Vehicle Miles Traveled/Travel Demand
Management
o Universal Design and Complete Green Streets
o Sustainable Neighborhood and District Development
o Sustainable Mobility, Green Fleets/Fuels and Parking Demand
Management
7
Los Angeles ~eg9onal Gol3abora#ive
for Coma€e Ac€ion & Sus€ainabiH€y
o Renewable Energy, Co-generation, Distributed Community Energy and
Energy Efficiency
o Open Space Management
o Water Efficiency, Conservation and Recycling, Community-scaled
Water Harvesting and Demand Management
o Urban Forestation/Urban Tree Canopy and Integrated Community-
scaled Food Production
o High Performance Schools/Green Buildings and Retrofits
o Community Land Trusts and Cooperatives
o Integrated Waste Management, Recycling and Energy Capture
o Integrated Pest and Vector Management
o Sustainable Business Enterprises/Community Economic Development
o Green Industry/Manufacturing/Logistics
o Innovative Information/Technology/Modeling/Analysis/Data Collection
o Regional Climate Change Modeling
8
AGN. NO.
MOTION BY SUPERVISORS BURKE AND YAROSLAUSKY OCTOBER 7, 2008
There is consensus among the world's leackng scientists fhat global warming is
likely to pose severe environmental, health, and `economic threats if we do not take
decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Identified and. credible threats
due to climate change include prolonged and frequent heat waves that will increase our
exposure to air pollution, exacerbate respiratory ailments and burden our healthcare
system, and changing weather patterns that will increase our susceptibility to droughts
and endanger our crifical water, energy,`transportationi and sanitation infrastructure.
Moreover, the changes we make to address;global warming will have the concomitant
benefits of reducing other forms of air pollution in our region and reducing our
dependence on foreign oil.
To address this important challenge,
the Board of Supervisors has adopted firm
programs and policies to Yeduce greenhouse gas emissions within the County
-MORE-
MOTION
MOLINA
YAROSLAVSKY_
KNABE
ANTONOVICH
BURKE
MOTION BY SUPERVISORS BURKE AND YAROSLAVSKY
OCTOBER 7, 2008
PAGE 2
unincorporated areas as well as those caused by County operations. Specifically, the
County has committed to reducing energy consumption in County buildings by 20%
before 2015 and to reducing greenhouse gas emissiohs;by?80% before 2050. Beyond
these worthwhile benchmarks, the County and other~unsdictiorts, businesses, and
utilities in California face a number of new St~temandates to=similarly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to more than 25% by 2020.
The County can meet these mandates and achieve its policy goals most
effectively if we work cooperatively with other public agencies; the business community,
academia, labor, and environmental and community groups. The Los Angeles Regional
Collaborative for Climate Action`&Sustainability provides this framework by bringing
leaders together to:
- In order to comply with AB 32, establish a regional inventory of greenhouse gas
emissions-and develop an action plan to efficiently and effectively reduce
greenhouse
- Achieve cost savingsor partnering agencies through regional education forums,
tools and trainings, and green procurement pools.
- Share information and best practices on climate change and Sustainability goals.
- Develop a consistent communication plan for informing stakeholders in the Los
Angeles region of the urgency in addressing global climate change and reducing
-MORE-
MOTION BY SUPERVISORS BURKE AND YAROSLAVSKY
OCTOBER 7, 2008
PAGE 3
greenhouse gas emissions.
- Leverage State and Federal resources, including energy block grants, to pursue
greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
While this Collaborative is still in an early'stage; Countystaff has worked with the
aforementioned stakeholders to design a nimble network that will be, positioned to
provide essential guidance and coordination to meet our evolving sustainability goals.
WE THEREFORE MOVE THAT THE:BOARD OF:SUPERVISORS:
Authorize the Chair to sign the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate
Action & Sustainability Charter and instrucf;Yhe County Energy and Environmental
Policy Team, and other staff as appropriate, to support and participate in this
worthwhile: effort.
WE FURTHER MOVETHAT THE BOARD:
Encourage other local jurisdictions and key stakeholders throughout Los Angeles
County to formally participate in this Collaborative.
#####
(YBB:KK:ec LA Regional Collaborative Motion 100705)