HomeMy WebLinkAbout906 - CONSIDERATION of a resolution establishing a policy to take cost effective actions that benefiRESOLUTION NO. 9 0 6
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER
ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO TAKE COST-EFFECTIVE ACTIONS THAT
BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY BY REDUCING LOCAL GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Boulder has a long history oFprotecting and enhancing environmental
quality in the City; and
WHEREAS, in January 2002 City Cotmcil reaffirmed their commitment to the environmental
sustainability goal as one of four major Council goals; and
WHEREAS, the City participates in the Cities for Climate Protection campaign and is
developing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the City; and
WHEREAS, in December of 1997, in Kyoto, Japan the United States joined the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in agreeing to reduce the emissions
of greenhouse gases by 7 percent Uelow 19901evels, although the United States has not ratified
this protocol; and
WHEREAS, 81% of Boulder's citizens believe reducing air pollution is important in improving
the quality of life in Boutder, according to the results of the 2001 Boulder Citizen Survey; and
WHEREAS, in August 2001 the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan was updated and includes
specific policies related to global climate change and energy use aimed at reducing air pollution,
increasing energy efficiency and conservation, increasing the use of renewable energy in the
community, and limiting growth in the use of all non-renewable energy resources,
accommodating new growth by an overall per capita decrease in energy use; and
WHEREAS, there is increasing scientific evidance that carbon dioxide (COz) and other
greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere will have a profound effect on the Earth's
climate, increasing the risk to municipal governments from increased extrema weather events,
changing rainfall and crop productivity patterns, and migration of infectious diseases; and
WHEREAS, local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through
increased energy efficiency, reduced vehicle miles traveled, and waste reduction can provide
multiple local banefits by decreasing air pollution, creatingjobs, extending landfill life, and
reducing energy expenditures for the City, its businesses and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Council intends for the City to take a le~tdership role in increasing energy
efficiency and raducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY TAE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER
as follows:
Section 1: Council hereby declares its intent that the City shall identify and implement
actions that will reduce Boulder's contribtttion to total global greenhouse gas emissions,
in direct support of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and the Council's
Enviromnental Sustainability Goal.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to develop a local action plan to establish
a specific redaction goal for Boulder and an implementation schedule for the redaction
measures identified above in section 1 by September 30, 2002. The local action plan will
be developed with the initial goal of being in alignment with the Kyoto Protocol target of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions 7% below the estimated 19901evel of greenhouse gas
emissions generated in the city of Boulder, while achieving cost effectiveness in each
program.
Section 3. The City Manager shall annually submit to City Council a report that
evaluates the progress of City staff on greenhouse gas reduction efforts, recommends
actions for consideration in the upcoming budget cycle, and identifies additional
greenhouse gas reducing activities that merit consideration two or more years into the
future.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this ~ ~ day of ~~
2002. ~ /~,/,~/~~ _,,y `-'~
Ir ~"^"'~ -VC e 3 Q-V Gr•
Mayor
ATTEST:--f~'„~ =~~-~~
City Clerk