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Adopt a Resolution Committing to Plan for Chapel Hill to Transition to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy Community-wide by 2050.
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Staff:
Department:
Maurice Jones, Town Manager
Manager's Office
John Richardson, Community Resilience Officer
Overview: The Town received two petitions in support of a clean energy future for Chapel Hill. The petition by the Climate Reality Group1 points to the overwhelming body of scientific evidence that climate change is real and that the time to act is now in order to avoid the worst of it. The Group also cites a study out of two California universities which provides a roadmap for how the country can reduce emissions 80% by 2030, and reach 100% by 2050, through the use of existing renewable energy technology.
The petition from the Orange-Chatham Group of the Sierra Club2 is part of the Club's "Ready for 100" campaign, also pointing to the need for a transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050. In addition to goal-setting, the petition provides a list of carbon reduction strategies for the Town to consider as it develops a Climate Action and Response Plan.
UNC Chapel Hill has made a similar commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions as part of its Three Zeros3 initiative. The Town's Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board reviewed both petitions and expressed support for transitioning to a clean energy future and for considering the ideas proposed as part of the Climate Action and Response Planning process.
Recommendation(s):
That the Council adopt a resolution, committing to create a Climate Action and Response Plan by 2020 to begin transitioning to 80% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2030, and to reach 100% by 2050.
While the Council has already made the commitment to creating a Climate Action and Response Plan, this Resolution connects the plan with new long-term goals for the community.
Key Issues:
* Achieving these aspirational goals will require support, investment and action from a...
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