Sustainability (City of Palo Alto)

Sustainability Efforts in Palo Alto
Sustainability, as the term is used by City programs, means “to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The City has devoted time and resources to sustainability programs since earlier than 2001. Utilities has had programs that would be considered “sustainable” since the 1970’s.

History of City Sustainability Efforts

Palo Alto has long taken a leadership role in addressing environmental issues. In 1999, the City of Palo Alto adopted the Santa Clara County Green Government Pledge to lead by example by improving its own environmental performance, and is currently pursuing recertification. In 2001, the City of Palo Alto adopted a Sustainability Policy to strive to be a sustainable community—one which meets its current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.[1]

Responding to the challenge of global warming, Mayor Judy Kleinberg stated in her 2006 State of the City address that she would establish a Green Ribbon Task Force on Climate Protection, serving the Palo Alto/Stanford community, to “better galvanize our community to work on the problem of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, and to recommend tangible steps and local actions by all stakeholder groups, including the City, to reduce global warming and encourage sustainable practices.” [1]

List of Existing City Programs

The City is already actively involved in several programs that either directly or indirectly seek to reduce greenhouse gas emission. [2]

Utility Programs The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is committed to being a full service utility provider while sustaining the environment. CPAU has a long history of providing resource efficiency programs and information to the community, beginning in the late 1970s through today. Programs include the Commercial Advantage Program, SMART Energy Appliance Plus Program, SMART Energy Program, PV Partners, Palo Alto Green Water Conservation, Public Benefit Programs.

Zero Waste Strategic Plan On November 15, 2004, the Palo Alto City Council directed City staff to prepare a Zero Waste Strategic Plan for the Palo Alto community. The goal of Zero Waste is to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Zero Waste means setting the goal of diverting from landfill at least 90 percent of the waste generated by all sources, both business and residential.

Use of Alternative Fuels The City uses a variety of alternative fuels in its fleet, including compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel, propane, and electricity. Commute Programs An employee coming to Palo Alto, commuting from Palo Alto to a work site outside of the City or even commuting to work within Palo Alto has many options. Driving alone, taking public transit or free local shuttles, riding in a carpool or vanpool and bicycling and walking are the most popular methods of commuting.

Regional Sustainability Efforts

The City is an active participant in several regional programs. [2]

Sustainable Silicon Valley Sustainable Silicon Valley (SSV) is a collaboration of businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations that are identifying and addressing environmental and resource pressures in the Valley. California Climate Action Registry The California Climate Action Registry (the Registry) was established by California statute as a non-profit voluntary registry for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The purpose of the Registry is to help companies and organizations with operations in the state to establish GHG emissions baselines against which any future GHG emission reduction requirements may be applied.

U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement On March 30, 2005, 9 mayors representing more than 3 million Americans, joined together to invite cities from across the country to take additional actions to significantly reduce global warming pollution.

List of Projects Under Development

The Green Ribbon Task Force has provided a basic outline for the development of an action plan. [1]

•	Utilities: Develop and implement a climate action plan for the City utilities department with the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2020. •	Purchasing: Revise City purchasing policies and practices to incorporate environmental costs. •	Vehicles & Commuting: Incorporate City vehicle fleet and employee commuting in the City’s climate action plan. •	Regional Transportation: Work with regional transportation agencies to advance the availability and ridership of public transportation and low-emissions transportation alternatives. •	Green Building: Incorporate green building practices into construction review process and building codes to evolve green building from exception to mainstream. •	Education: Investigate a public-private partnership with the mission to actively raise awareness of and motivate actions to avert global warming.

List of External Links 1.	|Sustainable Silicon Valley 2.	California Climate Action Registry

Citations [1] Report of Mayor’s Green Ribbon Task Force on Climate Protection [2] CMR: 211:07, April 23, 2007, Climate Protection Plan Update and Response to Green Ribbon Task Force Recommendations