This presentation will: provide an overview of the Climate Smart Strategy adopted with broad support in the Portland region last December Describe

Transcription

1 This presentation will: provide an overview of the Climate Smart Strategy adopted with broad support in the Portland region last December Describe how it was developed, what we learned along the way and next steps to begin implementation

2 Metro s responsibilities: Metro has direct responsibility for managing growth and allocating federal transportation funds to the 25 cities and 3 counties in its jurisdiction serving 1.5 millions people, and works to guide land use and transportation decisions that will help us realize our shared vision for the future, including being a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Metro s responsibilities: Manage Urban Growth Boundary, a tool created by the state of Oregon in the 1970s for protecting farm and forestland Transportation planning as the MPO Operating the regional zoo, convention center, performing arts centers and Expo center Regional parks, trails and natural areas Solid waste and recycling 2

3 The good news we found is that communities across the region have good plans in place that already do a lot to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because of the 2040 Growth Concept vision the region adopted back in Climate Smart Strategy is built from the land use and transportation plans and visions already adopted by cities and counties across the region, creating a diverse, yet shared vision for how we can keep this region a great place to live and work for years to come. It includes making investments to build new sidewalks and bike connections, increase transit service and use technology and other strategies to improve safety, reduce delay, and make the most of our existing transportation system.

4 It builds toward our region s shared vision for the future Without losing sight of the big picture Clean air and water A strong economy Access for everyone to parks and natural areas Safe, walkable neighborhoods Jobs closer to home Less time spent in traffic Allows us to achieve what the state has asked of us. The region adopted these policies for other reasons, but the actions needed to accomplish each of the 6 desired outcomes are the same types of actions that will be needed to address climate change.

5 The good news we found is that communities across the region have good plans in place that already do a lot to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because of the 2040 Growth Concept vision the region adopted back in Climate Smart Strategy is built from the land use and transportation plans and visions already adopted by cities and counties across the region, creating a diverse, yet shared vision for how we can keep this region a great place to live and work for years to come. It includes making investments to build new sidewalks and bike connections, increase transit service and use technology and other strategies to improve safety, reduce delay, and make the most of our existing transportation system.

6 The strategy sets us on a trajectory to meet state goals adopted in 2007 to reduce GHG emissions from all sources to 75% below 1990 levels by 2050 (adopted in 2007) and directly responds to House Bill Adopted in 2009, HB 2001 directed Metro to develop and implement a strategy to reduce GHG emissions from cars and small trucks. Further state policy direction came while our process was underway. In 2011, the Land Conservation and Development Commission adopted greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for each of Oregon s metropolitan areas. Our region s target is to reduce per capita emissions by 20% by 2035 after taking into account reductions the state anticipated from advancements in fleet and technology. In 2012 the Commission adopted process requirements and a deadline for completing the project Dec. 31, We are the first in the state to do this work. 6

7 The Climate Smart Strategy was developed over 4 years and through 3 phases that involved a significant amount of technical work, community engagement and discussion. These are the 9 key elements that make up the Climate Smart Strategy. The strategy includes a mix of policies that complement and support each other to reduce greenhouse gas emissions many of which are already being implemented to varying degrees across the region. The strategy includes implementing adopted land use and transportation plans, making investments to build new sidewalks and bike connections, increasing transit service and using technology and other strategies to improve safety, reduce delay, and make the most of our existing transportation system. The strategy also calls for supporting Oregon s transition to cleaner fuels and more fuel efficient vehicles and securing adequate funding for investments. 7

8 In fact, because of the region s past leadership we can exceed the target if we can make the investments needed to implement our plans. We know we have more work to do to make those plans a reality, and if we don t we ll fall short of the target and other goals if we continue investing at current levels. 8

9 We learned there was not no silver bullet but some strategies reduce greenhouse gas emissions better than others Policy makers weighed the broader set of outcomes the region is working together to achieve, costs of implementation and public input (in addition to the climate benefits of different strategies) to shape the final strategy last year. 9

10 Our analyses demonstrated there are significant community, economic and environmental benefits that come from investing in communities. The bottom line is that the Climate Smart Strategy will help people live healthier lives and save businesses and households money through improved air quality and increased physical activity, less delay for moving goods on the transportation system and lower vehicle related travel costs. 10

11 The state approved our adopted strategy in May. We begun to pursue investment dollars needed to implement adopted local and regional plans through the legislative session that just ended and regional, state and federal grant programs. We also advocated for state actions that will lead to cleaner, low carbon fuels and more fuel efficient vehicles In addition, staff will begin updating the Regional Transportation Plan later this year. This will be a major vehicle for further implementing the Climate Smart Strategy. The plan update will include development of a Regional Transit Strategy to guide significant increases transit in the long term, along with continuing to invest in all parts of our transportation system. 11

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