On July 26, 2024, the County’s Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopt the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update.

The overall objective of the CAP Update is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from activities within the unincorporated area and from County facilities and operations throughout the region. The CAP Update meets and exceeds State mandates and establishes actions to meet a goal of net zero emissions by 2045. The plan prioritizes climate actions in frontline communities and will ensure equity-based outcomes and community benefits are realized equitably throughout the unincorporated area. The CAP Update will result in community co-benefits such as improvements in community health, cleaner air and water, expanded sidewalks and bike lanes, the promotion of a green economy, enhanced neighborhood resilience, and more.

The Commission first considered the CAP Update project at the June 14, 2024, Planning Commission public hearing, where staff provided a presentation on the draft final CAP Update and requested a recommendation from the Planning Commission that would go to the Board. The hearing concluded with the Planning Commission continuing their consideration of the CAP Update until the July 26th Planning Commission public hearing and requesting a workshop to discuss further elements of the project. Following this request, a Special Meeting of the Planning Commission was held on July 19, 2024, to conduct a workshop on the CAP Update’s history, court ruling, and benefits and costs of CAP implementation.

At the July 26, 2024, Planning Commission public hearing, the CAP Update was considered as a continued item from the June 14th public hearing, where the Planning Commission formally voted to recommend the Board adopt the CAP Update. More detail about the project is available in the Staff Report.

Video recordings of all three Planning Commission public hearings, including staff presentations, public comment, and Commissioner deliberations, can be found on the Planning Commission Hearings webpage.

Staff are currently preparing to take the CAP Update to the Board for adoption on September 11, 2024. More information on how to participate in the Board hearing and voice your opinion on the CAP Update is available on the Board Meeting website.