Submitted By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Reviewed By
KJ
Agenda Item Title
Title
Presentation and Discussion of the Draft 2022 Comprehensive Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency Plan for the Village of Oak Park
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Overview
Overview
This presentation provides draft goals and actions of the 2022 Comprehensive Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency Plan for the Village of Oak Park (“Oak Park Climate Plan”), developed by the Village’s consultant team GRAEF, and ERG. Revised actions will be included in the final draft Climate Plan document, following additional community engagement activities. The Board of Trustees is requested to provide input on the draft impact areas and actions. Because of the large number of actions developed (over one hundred), a selection of key actions will be presented for Trustee feedback concerning appropriateness for the community of Oak Park. The Trustees are invited to provide feedback on all draft actions, following tonight’s meeting.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Receive the presentation.
Fiscal Impact
None. Report only.
Background
Scope of Work
The Oak Park Climate Plan scope of work includes:
1.) Scoping and Inventory: Review existing local and regional sustainability plans. Audit and collate historical and current greenhouse gas inventories (GHGIs).
2.) Energy, Transportation, Waste, and Ecosystems: Develop a forecast of future greenhouse gas emissions through 2050 under a “business as usual” scenario, which assumes no changes to current practices.
3.) Scenarios: Develop scenarios to reach greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, including an interim 2030 carbon emissions reduction target and carbon neutrality by 2050. Analyze technical, financial, policy, and other conditions needed for implementation.
4.) Implementation Strategies. Evaluate existing Village sustainability initiatives. Conduct community and stakeholder engagement. Develop and revise Climate Plan implementation actions in response to engagement and emissions findings. Identify financing strategies for implementation actions. Deliver the final draft Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency Plan.
Key Dates
• October 2021: Execute consultant professional services agreement
• November 2021: Launch ongoing engagement with Village Board, Commissions, Staff, and Community partners
• December 2021: Launch Social Pinpoint website engagement; Winterfest in-person engagement
• January 2022: Launch DIY Meeting Kit
• February 2022: Deliver draft Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory; Launch Affinity Groups
• March 2022: Launch Human-Centered Design sessions
• April 2022: Deliver draft Climate Plan components; Arbor Day in-person engagement
• May 2022: Farmers Market in-person engagement
• June 2022: Day In Our Village in-person engagement; Deliver final draft Climate Plan
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As illustrated by the draft Oak Park 2020 greenhouse gas inventory, the primary drivers of carbon emissions are residential and commercial building energy use and transportation. Municipal operations account for approximately 2% of total emissions generated by the community of Oak Park. A forecast of emissions through 2050, developed using population-based growth and a 2019 baseline year, projects a relatively small increase in emissions under a business-as-usual scenario.
Science-based targets, previously developed by ICLEI and evaluated by the Village’s climate plan consulting team, recommend an interim target of a 60.3% decrease in emissions by 2030 (relative to 2019 emission). Science-based targets represent a community’s “fair share” needed in order to meet the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 1.5 °C.
While current technology may not allow for absolute zero emissions, carbon neutrality (defined as net-zero emissions) is likely achievable through a combination of today's available technology and other mechanisms (e.g., RECs, offsets). Oak Park’s greenhouse gas forecasts and recommended actions should be updated regularly to incorporate technological innovation and changes to the broader policy landscape.
Implementation Strategies
Strategies are presented within eight impact areas: 1.) Energy Use in Buildings & Housing; 2) Transportation; 3) Stormwater & Extreme Weather; 4) Waste & Sustainable Materials; 5) Healthy & Sustainable Food Systems; 6) Parks, Plants, & Biodiversity; 7) Public Health; and 8) Sustainable Economic Development.
Draft implementation strategies have been developed within the following context:
• This is a long-range plan, with interim and final quantitative targets through 2050.
• Climate Plan goals include community-wide carbon neutrality, resilience, and equity.
• Strategies will encompass climate action (mitigation to reduce emissions), climate resilience (adaptation to current and future climate impacts), and sustainability (triple-bottom-line actions that are important for purposes other than mitigation or adaptation).
• The Climate Plan does not assert that the Village will be the sole implementer of the plan. Strategies will encompass actions that can be taken by local government and sister agencies, institutions, community groups, businesses, and other community members.
• The Climate Plan does not assert that the Village will be the sole funder of the plan’s actions. Financing strategies are included in the evaluation of strategies.
• Strategies must be science-based, flexible enough to respond to changing conditions, and created and vetted by the community. Carbon reduction potential is included in the evaluation of climate mitigation strategies.
• Strategies should be evaluated according to what is possible under a future scenario, rather than what cannot be done under current conditions. Barriers to implementation should be identified and addressed.
Alternatives
• Seek additional information from staff.
Previous Board Action
• On October 19, 2020, the Village Board received a report on the Greenhouse Gas Inventory update (ID 20-284).
• On February 8, 2021, the Village Board discussed staff recommendations for a community engagement process to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) and Resiliency Plan aligned with the ICLEI ClearPath platform (ID 21-74).
• On March 22, 2021, the Village Board approved a motion for the use of sustainability funds and directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services for the preparation of a sustainability and climate action plan (MOT 21-45).
• On April 19, 2021, the Village Board approved a budget amendment for this project. (ORD 21-36)
• On June 28, 2021, the Village Board received a staff report of the 2021 Sustainability Initiatives, including the RFP for Comprehensive Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency Plan (S/CARP) consultant services (ID 21-171).
• On September 20, 2021, the Village Board approved a motion to select GRAEF to perform the Village’s S/CARP consulting services (MOT 21-89).
• On October 18, 2021, the Village Board approved a resolution to approve a professional services agreement with GRAEF and authorize its execution (RES 21-250).
• On December 6, 2021, the Village Board approved a resolution to approve a first amendment to the professional services agreement with GRAEF and authorize its execution (RES 21-323).
• On February 28, 2022, the Village Board received a report providing the draft results of the 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the Village of Oak Park. (ID 22-65).
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
• On August 24, 2021, the Environment and Energy Commission received a report from staff concerning the bid selection process for the Comprehensive Sustainability and Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (“Oak Park Climate Plan”) consultant and provided feedback.
• Beginning in October 2021, the Environment and Energy Commission has received monthly written updates tracking the Climate Plan project progress.
• On October 5, 2021, the Environment and Energy Commission received a presentation from GRAEF concerning the draft scope of work and provided feedback during a facilitated discussion.
• In November 2021, Staff solicited and integrated feedback from the Environment and Energy Commission and Community Relations Commission regarding the community engagement process and deliverables.
• On January 12, 2022, the Environment and Energy Commission discussed the role of commissioners as Climate Plan Ambassadors, in support of the community engagement process.
• On February 8, 2022, the Environment and Energy Commission received a presentation from ERG concerning the draft community greenhouse gas inventory and provided feedback.
• On March 8, 2022, the Environment and Energy Commission received a presentation concerning the update to the draft community greenhouse gas inventory. The EEC also discussed options to support the Climate Plan outreach efforts.
• On April 5, 2022, the Environmental and Energy Commission participated in a facilitated discussion to provide input on the Climate Plan.
• On April 7, 2022, the Plan Commission participated in a facilitated discussion to provide input on the Climate Plan.
• On April 12, 2022, the Transportation Commission participated in a facilitated discussion to provide input on the Climate Plan.
• On April 13, 2022, members of the Historic Preservation Commission participated in a facilitated discussion to provide input on the Climate Plan.
• On April 20, 2022, members of the Civic Information Systems Commission provided input on the Climate Plan.
• Additional facilitated discussions are scheduled in April and May with members of the Environment and Energy, Community Relations, Building Code, Civic Information Systems, Historic Preservation, Housing, Transportation, and Plan Aging in Place, Board of Health, Citizens Involvement, Community Development, Disability Access, and Farmers Market commissions.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Following feedback from the Village Board, direct staff to prepare a final draft of the Comprehensive Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency Plan.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The climate planning process includes stakeholder engagement with the Village’s intergovernmental partners.