Climate Action and Resiliency Plan

For this effort to be successful, it will take the whole community. The City will be conducting ongoing community engagement throughout the planning process. Check back here for a digital version of our second community input session. 

Alameda’s Climate Action Plan

Alameda staff, community, and outside experts are working together to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce Alameda’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase quality of life on the island, and adapt to climate change impacts like increased flooding.

In response to the serious and urgent threat of climate change, City Council directed staff to create an ambitious and progressive Climate Action Plan. This Plan will build on the City’s rich existing environmental initiatives to help Alameda develop into a sustainable and thriving city that is resilient to the adverse effects of climate change.

The Problem

Alameda is experiencing the impacts of climate change. The Bay has risen 8 inches in the last century, and could rise two feet by 2050, and five feet or more by 2100. Climate change means more heat waves, more wildfire smoke, and more drought. While it is not currently possible to attribute any single event exclusively to climate change, scientists tell us that on average, we're going to see more frequent extreme and dangerous weather events. These events put strain on our residents, businesses, and infrastructure.

At the same time as these climate-related issues get more severe, Alameda is contributing to the problem through our own greenhouse gas emissions. We may not be aware that when we drive gasoline-powered cars, we emit greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The way we heat our homes, whether we compost or not, and even the way we eat all contribute to this global problem that has big local consequences.

The Solution

The challenges we face are multifaceted, and so are the solutions. The Climate Action Plan will look for strategies that both protect us from flooding and help us switch from polluting technologies to green alternatives. Many of these strategies have benefits that go beyond climate change. Trees help keep us cool during heat waves, and they also increase local air quality and make being outside more pleasant. Better bike lanes encourage people to get out of greenhouse gas-emitting cars, and they also decrease cyclist accidents and traffic congestion. Alameda's Climate Action Plan will help the city become more sustainable, more resilient, and an overall better place to live.

The City of Alameda has been working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions since it released the Local Action Plan for Climate Protection in 2008. In 2017, the City expanded the focus of its climate program to include climate resilience, building on existing work in urban forestry, stormwater management, and local hazard mitigation.

Here are two lists that contain all of the climate action ideas that have been submitted to the City thus far: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions(PDF, 852KB), Increasing Climate Resilience(PDF, 679KB) . These ideas are drawn from City staff and past plans, other cities' climate action plans, and suggestions received through a survey the City put out this summer. These ideas have not yet been vetted by City staff for feasibility and effectiveness, and may not appear in the final plan.

Below are a list of plans and reports detailing what the City has done and plans to do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

●     Local Action Plan for Climate Protection(PDF, 6MB) (2008)

●     Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories for 2010(PDF, 3MB) and 2015(PDF, 1MB) (2013/2017)

●     Bicycle Master Plan(PDF, 7MB) (1999/2010)

●     Pedestrian Plan(PDF, 4MB)   (2009)

●     AMP Energy Efficiency Report (2016)

●     Zero Waste Implementation Plan(PDF, 2MB) and Update(PDF, 3MB) (2010/2018)

●     Transportation Choices Plan (2018)(PDF, 21MB)

●     AMP Strategic Plan (in progress)

●     Economic Development Plan (in progress)

The following list represents climate resilience work done for Alameda - some of it done by the City, some of it by regional governments

●     Storm Drain Master Plan and Update(PDF, 10MB) (2008/2017)

●     Alameda County Vulnerability and Risk Report (2012)

●     ABAG (region-wide report): Stronger Housing, Safer Communities (2012)

●     Alameda Point Master Infrastructure Plan(PDF, 28MB) (2014)

●     Oakland-Alameda Resilience Study(PDF, 28MB) (2016)  

●     Local Hazard Mitigation Plan(PDF, 13MB) (2016)

The City is working with a consultant team at Eastern Research Group as the plan gets developed for technical expertise, best practices, high-end graphics and specialized engineering. Below are supporting documents written by the consultant team.

Task 1:  Report on Existing Conditions and Future Goals(PDF, 4MB)

Task 6,  Memo 1:  Compilation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures(PDF, 1010KB)

Task 6, Memo 2:  Review and Adjustments to 2015 Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Projects to 2020 & 2030(PDF, 524KB)

 

alameda_sea_level_rise_risk_graphic__0.png

Learn more about sea level rise and flooding in Alameda and across the Bay Area through this interactive explorer. The Bay Shoreline Flood Explorer explains the different factors that contribute to floods—a combination of storms, high tides, and sea level rise—and the terms that are used to describe floods. Part of the purpose of Alameda’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan is to develop strategies and infrastructure ideas that will protect us from being flooded when these higher water levels become a reality.

 

2018

Community Input Session #1:
September 24, 6:30-8 p.m.: Lincoln Park Harrison Center (1450 High Street)
September 25, 6:30-8 p.m.: Community of Harbor Bay Isle Owners' Association (3195 Mecartney Road)
September 26, 6:30-8 p.m.: O’ Club on Alameda Point (641 W. Red Line Avenue)

The first input session was carried out over three days across Alameda.  The workshop was a way to learn about community priorities and to gather ideas for increasing resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Residents engaged in the Katso process, where they were able to brainstorm and share ideas in small groups.

Katso resulted in 78 suggested greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures and 226 suggested adaptation strategies.

  • Some common themes included concern about sea level rise, managing Alameda's shoreline, and concern for future generations.
  • Many residents advocated for expanding solar energy across the island as well as bus routes and free shuttles.  Restoring wetlands, increasing green space and open space, and more mixed-use development were also popular strategies residents wanted to see.
  • Approximately 15 GHG reduction strategies suggested by community members are already being addressed by the City in key plans and documents.
  • See List of Strategies(PDF, 194KB) developed from community ideas.  These strategies will be prioritized and refined at Community Input Session #2.

 

2019

Community Input Session #2: January 26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Alameda High School Cafeteria

The goal for Community Input Session #2 is to develop a vision for the Climate Action & Resiliency Plan (CARP) and gather input from community members on strategies to increase the City's resiliency and sustainability.  Part of the workshop will be informative, recappping the work done to this point and the outcomes from the first community session.  The workshop will spend a majority of the time in breakout groups to gather residents' feedback on strategies staff developed in response to input from the first community session.  Check back here for a digital version of this workshop.

AHS map for CIS2.JPG

Current Agenda:

Time                       Agenda Item Topic
8:45-9 a.m.:            Sign In and Informal Discussion
9-9:08 a.m.:            Welcome and Main Session Overview
9:08-11:35 a.m.:      Breakout Groups:  Participants will have the opportunity to be in three (3) different groups:

  • GHG Reduction Measures
  • Adaptation Strategies - Sea Level Rise and Flooding
  • Adaptation Strategies - Other Climate Risks         

11:35-11:50 a.m.:     Main Session Report Back:  Report back by breakout groups, public comment
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.:  CARP Next Steps and Evaluation Survey

 

Community Input Session #3 (March - date and location TBD)
Presentation to City Council (July - date TBD)

2019

May 20, 6:00 pm, Elks Lodge: Provide comments on Alameda’s Climate Action & Resiliency Plan at this in-person meeting or from May 14-31 at https://www.opentownhall.com/7405. Click here for more information.

2018

Aug 24: Summer survey closed. Results of the survey will be posted here by mid-October.

Sep 21 - Oct 15: Digital version of Community Input Session 1. Participate and contribute your climate action ideas!

Sep 24-26: Community Input Session 1

2017

May 2: City Council Matarrese Referral to Update Alameda's 2008 Local Action Plan for Climate Protection - Referral

May 23: Town Hall meeting - presentation

June 20: Mayor's Referral to create a "straws on request" ordinance and compostable or recyclable "To Go" food ware ordinance - Referral

Sept 19-Oct 22: Web Survey - Web Survey Results

Oct 5 (Thurs): Town Hall meeting - presentation

Oct 23 (Mon): Planning Board - Web Link - Video

Nov 13 (Mon): Public Utilities Board - Web Link

Nov 15 (Wed): Transportation Commission - Web Link - Video

Dec 5 (Tues): City Council - Web Link - Video

Dec 6 (Wed): City Issued Request for proposals for consulting services - Web Link

 

Wondering what a Climate Action Plan is anyway?  Read our Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 257KB)

For a general overview and for a few sustainability tips, read our Climate Action and Resilience factsheet below:

English(PDF, 900KB)

Chinese(PDF, 994KB)

Spanish(PDF, 885KB)

Tagalog(PDF, 589KB)

Vietnamese(PDF, 491KB)

See our Glossary(PDF, 313KB) for definitions of key terms

Also check out a video explanation of the Climate Action Plan produced by Alameda high school students

And a video of Alameda high schoolers explaining why climate action is important to them

carp cover(PDF, 9MB)

Comment Online

Please share your comments on the draft Climate Action & Resiliency Plan HERE

Related Information

Back to top