First Discussion of Climate Change Steering Committee Recommendations to COG Board of Directors

1
First Discussion of Climate Change Steering
Committee Recommendations to COG Board of
Directors

• Agenda Item 6
• February 27, 2008

2
Proposed Goals for COG Climate Change Initiative

• Reduce the regions 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.

3
Recommendation Construct and Approach

• Organized according to the 5 goals akin to a
  Strategic Plan
• Some recommendations specific and immediate
• Other recommendations broader and longer term

4
Illustrative Recommendations
5
1 - Reduce the regions contribution of
greenhouse gases.

• 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.

6
1 - Reduce the regions contribution of
greenhouse gases.

• 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

7
1 - Reduce the regions contribution of
greenhouse gases.

• Transportation
• 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.

8
2 - Assist member jurisdictions with meeting
greenhouse gas reduction goals and serve as
national leaders.

• 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.

9
3 Prepare the region for the consequences of
climate change.

• 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.

10
4 - Transition the region to a clean energy
economy and a center for green technologies and
jobs

• 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.

11
5 - Establish a governance structure within COG
including its members and stakeholders to
facilitate implementation.

• 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.

12
Discussion Questions

• Too many recommendations? Not enough?
• Too specific? Too general?
• How to best engage partners?
• How to fund initiative over the long-term?