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Climate Action Strategy

Background

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (enacted through Assembly Bill 32) established California as a leader in the climate change policy debate. A primary component of AB 32 was the establishment of a state greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 15% by 2020, to reach 1990 GHG emission levels, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

To achieve this target, AB 32 directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a Scoping Plan to establish GHG emission reduction measures for all sectors of the economy. The Scoping Plan identified a total of eighteen measures, four of which account for 75% of emission reductions:

1. Light Duty Vehicle Standards
2. Energy Efficiency (buildings)
3. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (33% of state electricity must be generated by renewable sources by 2020)
4. Low Carbon Fuel Standards (reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels)

To complement and, in some cases, implement the provisions of AB 32, additional State legislation has required local governments to address climate change. Notable examples, including Senate Bill 97 and Senate Bill 375, have been summarized in the State Climate Change Legislation of Local Significance. The Office of Long Range Planning has completed a Regulatory Implementation Timeline, which highlights important implementation dates associated with these Bills, and additional information can be found in the Useful Links section below.

What is Santa Barbara County Doing?

Santa Barbara County is already addressing many of the eighteen measures identified in the AB 32 Scoping Plan, as illustrated in the State Climate Action Framework and a Sample of County Related Activities diagram. To further these activities and establish a comprehensive response to the statewide regulatory environment, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors initiated the development and implementation of a Climate Action Strategy (CAS).

The CAS represents a coordinated approach for ensuring that local norms, values, and traditions are upheld, while also preparing Santa Barbara County for opportunities in the emerging clean energy economy. In fact, through its roles as: 1) a producer of GHG emissions, 2) a regulator of GHG emitting activities, and 3) an incentivizer of GHG reductions, the County is uniquely positioned to reduce community-wide emissions. These roles and the framework for the CAS are further illustrated in the Proposed Architecture for Climate Policy in Santa Barbara County.

Through development of the CAS, the Office of Long Range Planning (OLRP) will seek feedback from the public and form a Climate Action Strategy Team to develop a comprehensive set of local measures designed to reduce GHG emissions in the County. All measures will be evaluated to ensure that the most cost-effective and beneficial strategies are implemented to meet State's 15% GHG emissions reduction target.

Santa Barbara County Climate Change Guiding Principles

On March 17, 2009, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors adopted the Santa Barbara County Climate Change Guiding Principles to guide the development of the CAS, and to position Santa Barbara County for related state and federal funding opportunities.

The guiding principles acknowledge growing concerns related to global climate change and emerging obligations under an expanding regulatory environment. Key elements include:

Protecting the community from climate change
Compliance with AB 32
Supporting fiscal wellness, economic vitality, and clean technology
Promoting public health and safety, natural resource protection, and renewable resources
Establishing partnerships with the public and private sectors

Municipal Energy Efficiency and Solar Financing

Existing buildings represent one of the largest sources of GHG emission. In fact, almost 25 percent of reductions necessary to meet the State's AB 32 target are attributable to the built environment. Accordingly, on July 21, 2008, California enacted Assembly Bill 811, which allows cities and counties to set up voluntary local finance programs to make it easier for property owners to pay for and install energy efficiency upgrades and solar panels to their properrty. Essentially, participants can lower the upfront costs of improving their property by taking a loan from the County and paying it off on their tax bill over twenty years.

In addition to incentivizing GHG emission reductions by lowering the upfront costs of energy efficiency and renewable improvements, municipal financing programs are poised to deliver substantial co-benefits. These include new jobs for the building industry, increased consumer savings, and induced private investment. Given these opportunities, the Federal economic stimulus program and the California Energy Commission have directed funding to AB 811-type programs, creating a need for early consideration of a regional program. Therefore, the County initiated an AB 811 feasibility study, and the Board of Supervisors is expected to determine whether a program should be implemented on November 3, 2009.

Climate Action Strategy: A Tool to Reduce GHG Emissions

In August 2009, the California Natural Resources Agency released the California Climate Adaptation Strategy Discussion Draft (CCASDD). The goal of the statewide strategy is to facilitate a statewide, ongoing, and committed process to adapt to climate change in relation to environmental, social, and economic changes. The CAS is not intended to be an adaptation strategy focused on managing risks related to climate change. Rather, it is a strategy document that will result in the implementation of measures the County can take to reduce GHG emissions and contribute its fair share to the goals of AB 32.

Hearings

For copies of Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission agenda letters and staff reports, please visit the Hearings webpage.

Calendar

Event	Milestone
Background Research	Fall 2009
Develop Goals, Policies and Actions for GHG Reductions	Fall 2009 - Winter 2010
Establish Climate Action Strategy (CAS) Team	Winter 2010
Draft Climate Action Strategy	Spring 2010
Public Workshops	Spring 2010
Planning Commision and Board of Supervisors Hearing to Adopt CAS	Summer 2010

Attorney General Action

Underscoring the importance of a coordinated and effective response to the emerging regulatory environment, the California Attorney General (AG) has issued a number of comment letters to local governments failing to properly address climate change and GHG emissions in local planning efforts. A number of settlement agreements have been reached between the AG, advocacy group and local governments requiring commitments to adopt a Plan addressing climate change. These settlement agreements and comment letters can be viewed on the Attorney General’s Global Warming website.

Santa Barbara County is working proactively towards the adoption and implementation of climate change policy to stay ahead of the legal battle surrounding climate change planning. Development of the Climate Action Strategy is the first step in this process.

What Are Other Jurisdictions Doing?

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) maintains a comprehensive list of Cities and Counties Addressing Climate Change. This list is updated by OPR and may be periodically referenced to see how other communities are moving forward to reduce GHGs in their jurisdictions.