sfenvironment.org

Climate Change

Achievements Legislation & Initiatives Agencies Reports News & Events Public Awareness Links

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The effects of climate change will reach into every corner of the planet, but places like San Francisco are especially threatened. A rise in temperature and sea level and an upsurge in storms will test the limits of the city's infrastructure and the welfare of its citizens and wildlife. To reduce our contribution to global warming, in 2002, the city passed a resolution committing the city to an emissions reduction goal that goes beyond the Kyoto Protocol objectives. The resulting Climate Action Plan focuses the city's efforts on transportation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and solid waste management as the key areas that will have the greatest impact on climate change.

Achievements

• Renewable energy programs that promote power production from solar, wind, biomass, ocean wave, and bay tidal current sources will eliminate an estimated 550,000 tons of CO2


• A city fleet with more than 700 clean-air vehicles; one of the largest municipal alternative fuel vehicle fleets in the nation


• A mass transit fleet with 57 percent zero-emission vehicles; a goal of a completely zero-emission fleet by 2020


• Installation of LED, Light Emitting Diodes, traffic signals across the city to reduce electricity use by an estimated 7.7 million kilowatt/hours that will save the city $1.2 million per year


• An expanded recycling program combined with methane capture at city-operated landfills to reduce emissions by about 300,000 tons of CO2

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Legislation & Initiatives

Climate Action Plan - San Francisco adopted this plan committing the city to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2012. The plan outline actions the city can take to meet this goal.

Electricity Resource Plan - San Francisco adopted this plan to help address growing environmental health concerns in the southeast community where two power plants lived. The plan presents a framework for assuring reliable, affordable, and renewable source of energy for the future of San Francisco.

Sustainability Plan - San Francisco adopted this plan to maintain and provide a good quality of life for residents when it comes to the city's environment. The plan establishes broad goals and addresses key concerns. This version includes the introduction, letters from city leaders, and the specific environmental topics.

• Executive Summary


• Indicators of Progress toward Sustainability


• Sustainability Plan Report Card

Environment Code

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Agencies

• California Climate Action Registry - registers and supports activist organizations involved in reducing greenhouse gas emission


• State of California Climate Change Portal - reports on impact of climate change in California, the statewide greenhouse gas reduction target, and work undertaken to meet that target


• Bay Area Air Quality Management District - regulates sources of air pollution within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties; has recently launched a region-wide climate change initiative


• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - operates energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for municipal facilities


• ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability - advises local governments on climate and sustainability work

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Reports

Stop Trashing the Climate
This report documents the link between climate change and unsustainable patterns of consumption and wasting, dispels myths about the climate benefits of landfill gas recovery and waste incineration, outlines policies needed to effect change, and offers a roadmap for how to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within a short period.

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News & Events

Climate Wire (International Climate Change News Service)

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Public Awareness

Business Council on Climate Change March 1, 2007

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Links

Business Council on Climate Change

Basic Facts From the Pew Center on Climate

RealClimate: Climate Science From Climate Scientists

FutureSeaLevel.org

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