Transcript First Discussion of Climate Change Steering Committee Recommendations to COG Board of Directors Agenda Item #6 February 27, 2008

First Discussion of
Climate Change Steering
Committee Recommendations to
COG Board of Directors
Agenda Item #6
February 27, 2008
Proposed Goals for COG
Climate Change Initiative
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2.
3.
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5.
Reduce the region’s contribution of greenhouse
gases.
Assist member jurisdictions with meeting
greenhouse gas reduction goals and serve as
national leaders.
Prepare the region for the consequences of
climate change.
Transition the region to a clean energy economy
and a center for green technologies and jobs.
Establish a governance structure within COG
including its members and stakeholders to
facilitate implementation.
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Recommendation Construct
and Approach
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Organized according to the 5 goals akin to a
Strategic Plan
Some recommendations specific and
immediate
Other recommendations broader and longer
term
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Illustrative
Recommendations…
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1 - Reduce the region’s
contribution of greenhouse gases.
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Reduce 2012 emissions to 2005 levels (7%
reduction from business as usual in 2012)
Reduce 2020 emissions by 20% below 2005 levels.
Reduce 2050 emissions by 50% below 2005 levels.
Develop plans for meeting 2012, 2020, and 2050
regional greenhouse emission reduction goals.
Develop a system for monitoring and tracking
progress.
Update regional greenhouse gas inventory annually.
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1 - Reduce the region’s
contribution of greenhouse gases.
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Energy Conservation
 Establish goal for existing government buildings to meet Energy
Star standards by 2020.
 Implement regional green building policy for all new public and
private buildings.
 Support strong energy efficiency building codes.
 Establish regional energy efficient street lighting standards.
Renewable Energy
 Establish regional goal for governmental purchase of 50%
renewable/green power by 2015.
 Consider regional gas tax and use proceeds to invest in
renewable energy projects.
 Consider renewable energy tax credits for promoting
implementation of renewable energy projects.
 Support renewable portfolio standard of 20% in DC, MD, VA
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1 - Reduce the region’s
contribution of greenhouse gases.
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Transportation
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Establish regional green fleet goal.
Evaluate potential for plug-in hybrid technology.
Partner with TPB in establishing regional goal to
reduce VMT by 2020.
Provide financial and other incentives to direct
land-use and transportation initiatives to identified
growth areas.
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2 - Assist member jurisdictions with
meeting greenhouse gas reduction goals
and serve as national leaders.
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Identify best practices and case studies for use by
local governments.
Insure COG has capacity to serve as expert climate
change information clearing house.
Design and implement regional workshop series to
inform members about climate change.
Design and implement regional public education
campaign to assist citizens with taking action to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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3 – Prepare the region for the
consequences of climate change.
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Partner with academic community to obtain
best assessment of regional impacts of
climate change.
Develop regional adaptation policies that
provide models for COG members, covering:
water supply, public safety, public health,
environmental health/water quality, and
energy demand.
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4 - Transition the region to a clean energy
economy and a center for green
technologies and jobs
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Monitor and evaluate green business zone
concept and explore opportunities to
duplicate concept around region.
Partner with Greater Washington Board of
Trade on “Green as A Competitive
Advantage” initiative.
Promote the Cool Capital Challenge to
businesses.
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5 - Establish a governance structure within
COG including its members and
stakeholders to facilitate implementation.
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Consider adapting existing entities for use as
governance structure.
Evaluate integration with Greater Washington
2050.
Establish formal partnerships with business
and civic/environmental sectors to facilitate
implementation.
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Discussion Questions
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Too many recommendations? Not enough?
Too specific? Too general?
How to best engage partners?
How to fund initiative over the long-term?
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