Climate Action Plan

Climate Action Plan

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Current Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a strategic planning document that details the City of Elk Groves commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  The CAP includes an accounting of GHG emission sources for Elk Grove, along with a framework for reducing emissions and adopting climate adaptation measures.  The document identifies strategies in various sectors, including transportation, energy use, land use, and solid waste, that will help the City to achieve GHG emission reduction targets set by the State.  The CAP also enables new development projects consistent with the CAP and the General Plan to tier from the environmental review process and minimize subsequent project-level analysis.

The current Climate Action Plan was adopted by the City Council on February 27, 2019 and amended in December 2019 and December 2022. The City is currently in the process of updating the CAP.  

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Sign Up For Updates

To stay informed about the CAP update process, please subscribe to receive updates. 

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive communications from: The City of Elk Grove, 8401 Laguna Palms Way, Elk Grove, CA, 95758, US, http://www.elkgrovecity.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Climate Compass

Elk Grove is in the process of updating the 2019 CAP, providing direction for the City on implementing climate, sustainability and resilience goals.  The Climate Compass will ensure the action plan continues to be consistent with new State laws, such as AB 1279, with the 2022 CARB Scoping Plan, and as a CEQA tiering document.  The development of the Climate Compass, the update to the 2019 Climate Action Plan, will take place over the next 18 months and involve many opportunities for public engagement.

Climate Action Survey

In order to ensure the Climate Compass reflects the priorities of our community, your input is needed.  Please provide your views and ideas on climate action.

 

Complete the Survey

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Climate Compass?

The Climate Compass is the name for the update to the City of Elk Grove’s 2019 Climate Action Plan (CAP) to be bolder and more ambitious than before. It is a comprehensive and transformative roadmap for addressing climate change while supporting the City’s broader sustainability and resilience goals.

Why is the City of Elk Grove updating its Climate Action Plan?

The purpose of the Climate Compass is to identify measures and approaches that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help the City adapt to the current impacts of climate change. It serves to guide City staff in implementing climate, sustainability, and resilience goals that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The City intends to develop the Climate Compass to be consistent with State GHG reduction targets such as the statewide carbon neutrality target and as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)-qualified CAP.

What is mitigating and adapting to climate change?

Mitigation is the process of lessening heat trapping GHG emissions that contribute to climate change. Using baselines GHG emission calculations, the City can project future GHG emissions to help develop targets and strategies intended to reduce future emissions. Strategies can include decreasing where these GHG gases come from, like reducing the burning fossil fuels for energy, or enhancing the places that store these gases, like better managing urban forests and soil.

"greenhouse gas mitigation planning process"

Adaptation refers to the process of assessing and responding to climate change's current and future impacts. The City can measure its adaptive capacity to respond to these impacts by assessing climate-related hazards and pinpointing vulnerabilities to develop effective strategies. Adaptation strategies will include efforts to improve community resilience and help prepare for climate hazards like extreme weather events, wildfires, increased temperatures, flooding, and drought.

What is a CEQA-qualified CAP and why is the City developing one?

A CEQA-qualified CAP is one that meets State requirements so that future development projects requiring CEQA can streamline GHG impact analyses by demonstrating consistency with the CAP. It will allow for consistency in the GHG reducing and climate adaptation features that are included as part of the design of new development projects.

Demonstrating compliance with a CEQA-qualified CAP provides a simple, clear, and defensible option for project-level analyses to determine that its incremental contribution is not cumulatively considerable. This approach is supported and recommended by the California Air Resources Board, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, multiple local air districts, and has been reinforced through CEQA case law.

What benefits are there for Elk Grove residents?

The Climate Compass will contain measures (i.e., policies) supporting reduced energy consumption in buildings, which can lead to substantial cost savings for residents that participate. It will provide alternative transportation options through non-motorized travel modes, reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, and support the electrification of vehicles so that less emissions occur. The plan also identifies strategies to address climate vulnerabilities to reduce climate impacts from extreme weather events, temperature increases, wildfires, flooding, and drought.

Why should I get involved?

A successful CAP will rely on collaboration with residents, business owners, community leaders, and advocates in underserved communities. The Climate Compass should reflect the Elk Grove community’s priorities and vision, so it is important that we hear from as much of our community as possible to ensure climate risks or potential recommendations are not overlooked, as well as reducing the potential for unintended consequences of proposed measures.

How can I stay involved in the process?

Sign up for periodic updates at the top of this page. The City will be hosting online community workshops, in-person pop-up events, and focus group meetings and will continue to update the website with pertinent information and opportunities to comment on draft documents. Thank you for taking the time to be part of the Climate Compass development process!

Is it Climate Compass or CAP?

Both! The City has branded the update to its 2019 CAP as Climate Compass: A Plan for Implementing Elk Grove’s Climate, Sustainability, and Resilience Goals.

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Timeline

  • Greenhouse Gas Inventory Update:  Completed in Summer 2023
  • Kick-off of Public Engagement:  Late Summer 2023
  • Proposed GHG Reduction Measures, Strategies and Actions:  Spring 2024
  • Environmental Checklist:  Summer 2024
  • Public Draft of Climate Compass:  Late Summer 2024
  • CEQA Review:  Late Summer 2024
  • Public Hearings and Adoption:  Fall 2024/Winter 2025
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a timeline of the project

Keep Up to Date

Please sign up to receive email updates as the project progresses.

For questions contact Carrie Whitlock.