Title
United Nations Paris Climate Agreement - For the purpose of adopting, honoring, and upholding the commitments to the goals enshrined in the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement as they apply in the City of Annapolis.
Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 22-17 Amended
Introduced by: Aldermen Littmann, Pfeiffer, Arnett and Budge
and Alderwomen Finlayson and Pindell Charles
Referred to
Environmental Matters Committee
A RESOLUTION concerning
United Nations Paris Climate Agreement
FOR the purpose of adopting, honoring, and upholding the commitments to the goals enshrined in the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement as they apply in the City of Annapolis.
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis desires to protect and enhance the quality of life for all those who live, work, learn and play in our community, as well as for our children and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, there is scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change and the recognition that human activity, especially the combustion of fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases, is an important driver of climate change; and
WHEREAS, climate change has been widely recognized by government, business and academic leaders as a worldwide threat with the potential to harm our economy, safety, public health, and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, members of our community and others are already feeling the effects of climate change through increased temperatures, more extreme weather events, and other disruptions that affect our residents, economy, and way of life. In the City of Annapolis this has been demonstrated with the storm surge from Hurricane Isabel in 2003; the derecho during a massive heatwave in the summer of 2012; frequent flooding downtown; and other natural disaster events; and
WHEREAS, climate change affects all residents and businesses, but communities that already face socioeconomic and health inequities will be most severely impacted, including youth, elders, people of color, and low-income communities, and such communities therefore require an investment in resilience that is proportionate to these more severe risks; and
WHEREAS, many local, regional, and global economies are prioritizing efficiency and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources; and
WHEREAS, actions that reduce climate pollution also have potential to improve air quality, public health, energy security, social equity, our local natural environment, and quality of life for our residents; and
WHEREAS, taking steps to increase energy efficiency and resilience can attract jobs and economic development opportunities to our community and increase our long-term economic competitiveness and wealth; and
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis has demonstrated a legacy of leadership against the threat of climate change; and
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and proactively taking action to adapt to climate impacts; and
WHEREAS, several drivers of climate pollution such as the production and use of energy in buildings and transportation can be influenced by local governments and the collective action of communities around the world; and
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis adopted a Sustainable Annapolis Community Action Plan (2010); Emergency Operations Plan (2011) including a Flood Response Plan; and a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (2012), outlining steps the City has committed to taking in partnership with others to achieve our climate-related goals; and
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis has already taken a variety of important actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance quality of life in our community that include constructing the Annapolis Renewable Energy Park; entering into a performance based contract to reduce energy use by City-owned buildings; developing a Watershed Improvement Plan; and adopting higher floodplain management standards; and
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis is in the process of developing flood mitigation concept designs to address flooding downtown; developing a Cultural Resource Hazard Adaptation and Mitigation Plan; and identifying other large actions that will help the city both mitigate and adapt to climate change; and
WHEREAS, we are joined in taking action on climate change by a global coalition of cities, state and national governments and community and private sector leaders who recognize the importance and potential of these actions to protect and enhance the well-being of current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of mayors representing millions of Americans have recently re-affirmed their cities’ commitments to climate action; and
WHEREAS, the City of Annapolis actively collaborates with other local governments throughout our region, state, nation, and the world to learn from each other and identify win-win opportunities to take action on climate change while creating measurable benefits in our communities; and
WHEREAS, countries world-wide vowed to address climate change in agreements reached in Paris in December 2015 (the “Paris Climate Agreement”).
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis re-affirms its commitment to taking action to reduce climate pollution in alignment with reducing our greenhouse gas emissions AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AND INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS AND BUSINESS TO DO LIKEWISE; CONTINUING ITS COMMITMENT TO REPLACE ITS AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUCK FLEETS WITH ELECTRIC OR HYBRID EQUIVALENTS AS STATED IN SECTION 10.36.030 OF THE ANNAPOLIS CITY CODE; and proactively working on adaptation.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL THAT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS CONTINUES TO SUPPORT BENCHMARKING ITS CITY-WIDE EMISSIONS AND COMMITS TO DOING AN UPDATE AND REPORT BACK TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS COMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF 2018.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis continues to support the principles of the Paris Climate Agreement as they apply in the City of Annapolis.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis will continue to stand with cities and other public and private sector partners throughout the world to advance action in accordance with the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis will take new steps WITH ADEQUATE FUNDING to protect and enhance the resiliency of the City, its residents and businesses; strengthen the City’s zoning, floodplain and construction codes to integrate current and anticipated changes in climate; create an interconnected network of green spaces that support biodiversity and water quality management; EXPAND AND PROTECT OUR WETLANDS AND LIVING SHORELINES; integrate solar with GEOTHERMAL (PREFERRED) and battery backup (SECONDARY) into new development projects; integrate climate change and natural hazards planning into all City plans and capital improvement processes; continue to pursue a goal of a 50% tree canopy by 2036.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL THAT IT IS THE SENSE OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE MAYOR SHALL ENDORSE THE MAYORS NATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION AGENDA ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this resolution shall take effect from the date of its passage.
EXPLANATION
CAPITAL LETTERS indicate matter added to existing law.
Strikethrough indicates matter stricken from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments.