2017-046 Climate Action Agreement ComparisonDate: June 30, 2017 Report No. 2017-046
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
_____________________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Comparison of the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the Mayors National Climate
Action Agenda
BACKGROUND
At the June 20th City Council Meeting, staff was asked to compare the Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement and the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda. A brief description
and chart comparing the commitments asked of Mayors under each agreement is attached as
well as more detailed information about both programs.
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement 2005
The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) worked with several Mayors to develop the
Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (“Agreement”) which has been in place since 2005. The
Agreement acknowledged that Mayors are on the front lines of impacting human behavior –
from their work on recycling to public health initiatives, they are changing human behavior
every day. This is one of many reasons why 1,060 mayors continue to join The U.S.
Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, vowing to reduce carbon emissions in
their cities below 1990 levels, in line with the Kyoto Protocol. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was
the founder of this movement.
There have been several resolutions passed by USCM over the last 12 years that have
reinforced the commitment to climate action by supporting actions to achieve the overarchin g
goals of the Agreement. The City of Denton signed onto this Agreement April 6, 2005.
Mayors National Climate Action Agenda
By calling for national and international binding emission reductions agreements, establishing
stronger inventory standards and reporting, committing to a set of local actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, and growing the carbon offset market by removing barriers to
municipal offset projects, the Mayors’ National Climate Action Agenda is intended to make a
statement that emission reduction projects – starting with existing cap and trade programs in the
US - are not only viable, but essential initiatives that must be embraced and scaled across the
country. Finally, Mayors Garcetti, Parker and Nutter will initiate a mayor-to-mayor, city-to-city
outreach effort to bring mayors together over the coming year to develop a shared framework
for local leadership and action. The Mayors’ National Climate Action Agenda was formed in
2014 with fewer than 27 cities, but has recently grown in the last month to 338 signatories after
this group launched an initiative to honor the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
In 2015, the Action Agenda originally listed seven items for cities to accomplish shown in
Attachment 1. However, to sign up to join under the Paris Agreement letter only four items
are listed (below) which were reviewed in the Council presentation.
Date: June 30, 2017 Report No. 2017-046
1. Developing a community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory
2. Setting near- and long-term targets to reduce emissions in line with that required by the
Paris Agreement.
3. Developing a Climate Action Plan aligned with the city's targets, and
4. Resourcing City-led activities to demonstrate year-on-year progress.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Side by side comparison of 2005 Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and 2015
Mayors National Climate Action Agenda.
2. 2005 Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Documents
3. 2015 Mayors National Climate Action Agenda Overview
ATTACHMENT 1 - Side by Side Comparison
2005 Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (12) 2015 Mayors National Climate Action Agenda (7)
Inventory global warming emissions in City operations
and in the community, set reduction targets and create
an action plan
Calling for binding emission reductions at the US
federal level as well as a global emission reductions
agreement;
Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce
sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact,
walkable urban communities
Engaging in and supporting activities leading up to
and during the 2015 negotiations in Paris to support
the Obama Administration and other parties to create
a global agreement;
Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails,
commute trip reduction programs, incentives for
carpooling and public transit
Establishing and regularly reporting annually or bi-
annually a municipal and community-wide GHG
inventory (preferably with third party verification),
while supporting standardization of municipal and
community-wide inventories and reporting;
Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for
example, investing in “green tags” advocating for the
development of renewable energy resources, and
recovering landfill methane for energy production
Establishing, or renewing, an existing aggressive
GHG emissions reduction target for both the near
term (i.e., by 2020 or sooner) and long term (e.g.,
80% reductions by 2050);
Make energy efficiency a priority through building
code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with
energy efficient lighting and urging employees to
conserve energy and save money
Developing, or updating, a community climate
action plan, which identifies specific strategies for
meeting the emissions reduction target as well as
tying mitigation with adaptation measures where
possible;
Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances
for City use
Committing to finding an appropriate offset
project(s), working collectively to remove
barriers, and expanding offsets available to
municipalities offered by the Climate Action
Reserve, and other measures through the California
cap and trade system (or other existing system);
Practice and promote sustainable building practices
using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED
program or a similar system.
Ensuring climate equity and environmental justice is
prioritized in climate action plans.
Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet
vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an
employee education program including anti-idling
messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel
Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in
water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater
treatment methane for energy production
Increase recycling rates in City operation and in the
community
Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting
to increase shading and to absorb CO2
Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdiction ,
professional associations, business and industry about
reducing global warming pollution
ATTACHMENT 2
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement 2005
ENDORSING THE US MAYORS' CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions
calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global
warming pollution; and
WHEREAS, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international
community's most respected assemblage of scientists, is clear that there is no longer any
credible doubt that climate disruption is a reality and that human activities are largely
responsible for increasing concentrations of global warming pollution; and
WHEREAS, recent, well-documented impacts of climate disruption include average global
sea level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40% decline in Arctic
sea-ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past decade;
and
WHEREAS, climate disruption of the magnitude now predicted by the scientific community
will cause extremely costly disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world
including: increased risk of floods or droughts; sea-level rises that interact with coastal
storms to erode beaches, inundate land, and damage structures; more frequent and extreme
heat waves, more frequent and greater concentrations of smog; and
WHEREAS, on February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address
climate disruption, entered into force in the 141 countries that have ratified it to date; 38 of
those countries are now legally required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average 5.2
percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and
WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's
population, is responsible for producing approximately 25% of the world's global warming
pollutants yet is not a party to the Kyoto Protocol; and
WHEREAS, the Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S., had it ratified the
treaty, would have been 7% below 1990 levels by 2012; and
WHEREAS, many leading US companies that have adopted greenhouse gas reduction
programs to demonstrate corporate social responsibility have also publicly expressed
preference for the US to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets and timetables as a
means by which to remain competitive in the international marketplace, to mitigate financial
risk and to promote sound investment decisions; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments throughout the United States are adopting emission
reduction targets and programs and that this leadership is bipartisan, coming from
Republican and Democratic governors and mayors alike; and
WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing global
warming pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such
as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic
congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation
through energy conservation and new energy technologies; and
WHEREAS, mayors from around the nation have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement which reads:
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs
to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution levels to7%
below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil
fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient
technologies such as conservation, urethane recovery for energy generation, wind and solar
energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act sponsored by
Senators McCain and Lieberman and Representatives Gilchrist and Olver, which would create a
flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming
pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as:
1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set
reduction targets and create an action plan.
2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create
compact, walkable urban communities;
3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs,
incentives for carpooling and public transit;
4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in "green tags"
advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, and recovering landfill
methane for energy production;
5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city
facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and
save money;
6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;
7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building
Council's LEED program or a similar system;
8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of
vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages;
convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;
9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems;
recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;
10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;
11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb
CO2; and
12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business
and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the US
Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and urges mayors from around the nation to join this
effort.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The U.S. Conference of Mayors will establish a formal
relationship with International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for
Climate Protection Program to track progress and implementation of the US Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement
ATTACHMENT 3
Mayors ’ National Climate Action Agenda
An initiative to combat climate change and prepare for global warming.
Background
Climate science clearly shows the globe is warming at an alarming rate due to greenhouse gas
emissions (GHG). Given that cities are responsible for 70% of all GHGs and are on the front
lines of climate events and impacts, mayors are uniquely compelled and equipped to lead on the
fight to stem climate change, as well as to adapt to it and prepare for the impacts of global
warming. The unwillingness of the US Congress to support binding emission reductions further
underlines the importance for mayors and cities to not only reduce GHGs but also help to create
urgency for both federal cap and trade legislation and a global climate agreement.
Mayors have a unique voice and credibility to lend that is not currently well represented in the
general discourse on climate change. Cities across the country are taking action, recognizing
that the changing climate has tremendous implications for the livability, competitiveness and
resilience of communities. Local governments have a major role to play in advocating for both
federal legislation and international cooperation.
Over the coming year, U.S. mayors leading on the fight against global warming will come
together to help build support and political will for President Obama to lead globally in creating
an international agreement to be signed at the 2015 Paris COP. With subnational governments
having a seat at the table for the first time in the UNFCC process, mayors also can play a direct
role to support the international agreement.
Overview
While serving on President Obama’s Climate Preparedness and Resiliency Task Force, the
Mayors of the largest cities represented – Los Angeles, Houston and Philadelphia – each
recognized the urgency and need to join together in not just calling for action, but taking action
on climate change. As mayors of three of the United States’ five largest cities, Eric Garcetti,
Annise Parker, and Michael Nutter know how to solve tough problems.
With cities on the front lines of climate change, Mayors Garcetti, Parker, and Nutter are
launching the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda to build on their work from the
President’s Climate Task Force as well as through a number of other initiatives in which they
share involvement, including: C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, the U.S. Conference of
Mayors, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. The Agenda will compliment and
build off of these existing initiatives (as well as others such as ICLEI, etc.) but focus on mayor-
to-mayor engagement, with the goal of building up the voice and presence of mayors on this
critical issue.
Each mayor recognizes that they have an obligation to lead nationally on the shared challenge
of mitigating GHGs, as well as preparing for the impacts of climate pollution. They hope that
local leadership can ultimately model and drive a federal agenda towards binding emissions
targets and a global climate agreement.
The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda
Mayors Garcetti, Parker, Nutter and each additional Mayor and city that join the
initiative commit to:
1. Calling for binding emission reductions at the US federal level as well as a global
emission reductions agreement;
2. Engaging in and supporting activities leading up to and during the 2015 negotiations in
Paris to support the Obama Administration and other parties to create a global
agreement;
3. Establishing and regularly reporting annually or bi-annually a municipal and
community-wide GHG inventory (preferably with third party verification), while
supporting standardization of municipal and community-wide inventories and reporting;
4. Establishing, or renewing, an existing aggressive GHG emissions reduction target for
both the near term (i.e., by 2020 or sooner) and long term (e.g., 80% reductions by
2050);
5. Developing, or updating, a community climate action plan, which identifies specific
strategies for meeting the emissions reduction target as well as t ying mitigation with
adaptation measures where possible;
6. Committing to finding an appropriate offset project(s), working collectively to remove
barriers, and expanding offsets available to municipalities offered by the Climate Action
Reserve, and other measures through the California cap and trade system (or other
existing system);
7. Ensuring climate equity and environmental justice is prioritized in climate action plans.