City Department Climate Action Planning
San Francisco was one of the first U.S. cities to ask individual city departments to produce climate action plans. In 2008, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance requiring each department to produce and update a Climate Action plan annually. These plans are called Departmental Climate Action Plans (DepCAPs). To view overall municipal carbon footprint by fuel source and by department, click here.
DepCAP Process
Starting each fall, SF Environment’s Climate Team dedicates six months to providing city agencies, climate liaisons, and other city employees, education on existing and new environmental policies, specifications for the submittal of the DepCAP, and assistance with the report. The spring months are spent on DepCAP review and recognition and are followed by three months of program planning for the following year’s DepCAP process.
Data gathering and processing happens throughout the year to compile department level building energy, vehicle fuel, water use data, and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Tracking resource use and greenhouse gas emissions at the department level helps the city make informed decisions to reduce emissions and conserve resources. Click here for more information on the municipal carbon footprint and emissions inventory protocols used.
Fiscal Year 2010-2011 DepCAPs
After four years of annual reporting, education, and program development, we are proud to showcase the most recent submission of 39 DepCAPs. These DepCAPs include the individual carbon footprints for 54 City departments (some small departments report together). They also highlight innovation along with other internal sustainability mandates such as zero waste, green purchasing, and alternative transportation. Reporting compliance on some ordinances is done through separate forms and submitted as appendices to the DepCAPs. Please contact the Climate Team at climate@sfenvironment.org if you are interested in seeing these appendices. Please be specific in your request.
DepCAP Testimonials
Read an informative DepCAP? Submit a testimonial about the Departmental Climate Action Plans to the SF Environment Climate Team.
Photo (top): from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's Climate Action Plan
