BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Climate Change Mitigation- Update on Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality by 2020.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive and discuss information on progress towards carbon neutrality by 2020.
Body
SUMMARY:
This is the annual update of staff efforts to achieve carbon neutrality for the District by 2020. Using the methodology adopted by the Board in 2013, staff estimates that the District can offset 22,160 of its 22,700 metric tons of CO2e emissions. Staff will continue to refine this estimate on an annual basis, and will also continue to explore opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint over the next five years to meet this goal.
Background
The District's efforts on climate change include two parts, adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation refers to District activities to address the impact of climate change on the District's mission, including promoting and supporting resilient and adaptable water supply, reducing flood risks and flood damages, enhancing ecosystem resiliency, and improving understanding through training and communication. Climate change mitigation refers to District activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and work towards achieving carbon neutrality. In the future, staff will provide one update for adaptation efforts in the spring; and one update for mitigation efforts in the fall of each year. This agenda item provides an update on progress towards achieving carbon neutrality since the last report on October 28, 2014.
As the primary water resources agency for Santa Clara County, the District manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, natural flood protection, and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 1.9 million residents
The District's ability to provide those services is challenged by the potential of warmer temperatures, changing precipitation and runoff patterns, reduc...
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