Sustainability Metrics Program

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1 Sustainability Metrics Program Measuring Progress A Solution City of Pasadena Department of Planning & Development Sustainability Section

2 Sustainability Policies Bold steps taken by Pasadena to advance urban sustainability: 1. Endorsement of the United Nations Green Cities Declaration and Urban Environmental Accords (Sept. 2006) 2. Adoption of a Green City Action Plan (Sept. 2006) 3. Endorsement of the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (Sept. 2006) 4. Adoption of an Environmental Charter (Sept. 2006) Adoption of ordinance creating an Environmental Advisory Commission of local residents (Sept. 2006) 6. Adoption of a Green Building Program (Dec. 2005) 7. Adoption of Green Cities California resolution (Feb. 2008) 8. Adoption of an Energy Integrated Resource Plan (Mar. 2009) Adopted Policy Supports Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

3 2005 United Nations Urban Environmental Accords (UEA) 1. Seeks a broad sense of involvement by cities to develop sustainable urban centers based on local action 2. Offers cities worldwide a set of 21 actions to accomplish by 2012 as first steps towards urban sustainability 3. Actions organized by urban themes 3 actions for every thematic area 4. Cities achieving 8 or more actions will be recognized as Green Star cities in 2012

4 Green City Action Plan (GCAP) Adopted in 2006 Sustainability blueprint following the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords (UEA) 21 Actions and 70+ Initiatives Goals Urban Planning Energy; Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Water Use Air Quality Transportation Waste Management Open Space Enhancement

5 Energy UEA Action 1 Increase the use of renewable energy to meet 10% of the city s peak load (316 MW) by 2012 Council adopts Energy Integrated Resource Plan - March % RPS by % RPS by 2020! 40% RPS reduction in utility GHG emissions by 2020! Beats state requirement of 33% by % PWP 2009 renewable portfolio 59% PWP 2009 coal generated electricity (Renewable Portfolio = wind, solar, landfill gas, geothermal, biomass digester)

6 Energy UEA Action 3 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 (State AB 32 requires 25% reduction by 2020) 1. Greenhouse Gas Inventory November 2009 Compare 2008 to 1990 vehicle trips by land uses Compare 2008 & 1990 water use, electricity use, natural gas use, solid waste generation 2. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Consider proposed land use changes & candidates for reduction (green building ordinance, Green City Action Plan, General Plan policies, etc.)

7 Water UEA Action 19 Reduce water consumption 10% by 2015 (State requirement 20% by 2020) 1. Comprehensive Water Plan approved by City Council April 13, % water reduction goal included 2. Water Integrated Resource Plan in development 60% of PWP water is imported 32 million gallons/day PWP customer use

8 Waste Reduction UEA Action 4 Achieve zero waste to landfills by City initiating a Zero Waste Strategic Plan to adopt by % diversion by % by recycling and composting programs offered by the city 66% (2008) waste diverted from landfills

9 Urban Design UEA Action 9 Mandate a green building rating system for all new municipal buildings Green Building Ordinance (2005) requires public and private sector buildings to be meet the US Green Building Council LEED green building rating system standards. LEED Silver LEED Gold Photo Courtesy of Tom Paiva Photo Courtesy of Tom Bonner LEED Certified

10 Transportation Action 13 Expand affordable public transportation coverage to within a ½ kilometer (1,300 feet) of all residents by Currently: Bicycle Master Plan & Mobility Element Updates 60 miles of bikeways 29 transit routes 400 bus stops 100% residents within ½ mile of transit (2,640 feet) 7 ARTS (Area Rapid Transit) Routes 3.5 million Foothill Transit & ARTS bus passengers in 2008

11 Urban Nature UEA Action 11 Conduct an inventory of the tree canopy in the city and plant trees in 50% of sidewalk planting sites 62,000 street trees citywide < 5% Vacancy rate! 4,209 acres of tree canopy in city (28.6%) Tree canopy data gathered using aerial photo imagery

12 The City s Green Team Formed in January 2006 the team meets monthly and consists of 14 members from seven departments: Green Team Mission: 1. Finance 2. Health 3. Planning and Development 4. Public Affairs 5. Public Works 6. Transportation 7. Water and Power The Green Team will monitor progress, provide information and ensure the completion of the sustainability initiatives of the Green City Action Plan adopted by City Council on September 18, 2006.

13 Need For Sustainability Metrics MEASURE MONITOR REPORT PROGRESS! Green City Action Plan & California State Mandates

14 Indicators 170 Indicators Seven thematic areas of the Urban Environmental Accords Correspond to 21 Actions of the Green City Action Plan Review of existing city data, policy documents, plans, reports, best practices, regional and city indicator projects in California Contributing Partners Southern California Gas Company California Climate Action Registry METRO Southern California Air Quality Management District California Urban Water Conservation Council

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16 Sustainability Metrics Database In-house partnership with Finance Department Custom built application Adapted Oracle Platform Central repository Improved data entry and reporting efficiencies Enhanced data management capabilities

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18 Report Runs from Database

19 Data Results Measuring, monitoring and reporting tool Provides community with objective accountability Helps identify need for resources or new policy direction Improves administration of existing programs Enhances public s understanding of sustainability Promotes cooperation and coordination Model for other communities

20 Complimentary Annual Reports

21 Green City Indicators Report 2009

22 Green City Report 2008

23 Pasadena Green City Report Card 2009 UEA Action Achieved Likely Undetermined 1. Renewable Energy 2, Energy Efficiency 3, Climate Change? 8 of the 21 UEA Actions Achieved 4. Zero Waste* 5, Manufacturer Waste* 6. Recycling 12 x 2012 Goal 7. Green Building 8. Urban Planning 9. Environmental Jobs (*Actions 4, 5, 14 & 16) 10. Green Space Access? 11. Tree Canopy 12. Habitat Protection 13. Public Transportation 14. Clean Vehicles* 15. Traffic Congestion United Nations Ranking for Green Star Status 16. Toxics Reduction* 17. Organic Foods 18. Air Quality 19. Potable Water Conservation 20. Water Source Protection? 8-11 Actions = One Star Actions = Two Star Actions = Three Star Actions = Four Star 21. Waste Water Reduction TOTAL

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