Make Sonoma County carbon neutral by 2030.
Sonoma County, the nation and the world’s collective social, economic and environmental well-being are impacted by significant climate change events.
Providing a focus on climate action and resiliency in the Strategic Plan, the Board of Supervisors can mobilize countywide efforts towards mitigating and preventing climate change. In parallel with preparedness, adaptation and resiliency, the organization and the community will survive and thrive.
With the devastating health and economic consequences of climate change growing here and elsewhere, Sonoma County must act urgently. Guided by science, and in concert with the state, national and international communities, we can provide a livable climate for today’s youth and future generations.
Since 2013, the County has experienced severe droughts, devastating fires, continued floods and hotter temperatures year over year. Each of these unprecedented events is a reminder of the immediate impact of climate change. It is only in working to prevent and mitigate climate change we will avert the worst impacts of the climate emergency and build a stronger, healthier, fairer, and resilient Sonoma community for everyone.
Over the last 15 years, County staff have been working on climate actions with incremental progress in certain sectors. The County recognizes continued and focused efforts in climate change prevention, coupled with mitigation and adaption through behavioral change and resiliency efforts is imperative.
In February 2020, the Board of Supervisors created a Climate Ad Hoc committee to begin identifying the immediate, mid-range and long-term climate actions of the County.
Continue to invest in wildfire preparedness and resiliency strategies.
Provide educational resources to the community that promote and facilitate carbon neutral and fire hardening construction for new and existing homes.
Expand outreach and education on vegetation management and provide additional resources to land owners to help mitigate fire risk.
Leverage grant funding to support sustainable vegetation management program.
Invest in the community to enhance resiliency and become carbon neutral by 2030
Support carbon eliminating microgrid technology in communities and energy grid resilience to reduce impact of power loss during power shutdowns and natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes) through education and legislative advocacy, prioritizing critical infrastructure and vulnerable populations.
Provide $20 million in financing by 2026 that incentivizes property managers and renters to retrofit existing multi-family housing towards achieving carbon neutral buildings.
Partner with educational institutions, trade associations, businesses and non-profit organizations to establish workforce development programs that focus on carbon neutral and resilient building technologies by 2023.
Make all County facilities carbon free, zero waste and resilient.
Design or retrofit County facilities to be carbon neutral, zero waste and incorporate resilient construction techniques and materials.
Design or retrofit County facilities that promote and maximize telework to decrease greenhouse gas emissions generated by employee commutes.
Invest in County owned facilities, establishing carbon eliminating microgrid technology and improving energy grid resilience to reduce the impact of power loss during power shutdowns and natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes), prioritizing critical infrastructure such as command and communications facilities.
Maximize sustainability and emissions reductions in all County Fleet vehicles.
Where feasible, phase out County (owned or leased) gasoline powered light-duty cars, vans, and pickups to achieve a 30% zero-emission vehicle light-duty fleet by 2026.
Invest in the County’s employee Clean Commute program to promote use of alternate modes of transportation, including bike and carpool incentives, and last mile solutions connecting bus and train stations to County worksites.
Upgrade the existing County owned Electric Vehicle charging station infrastructure by 2023.
Maximize opportunities for mitigation of climate change and adaptation through land conservation work and land use policies.
By 2025, update the County General Plan and other county/special district planning documents to incorporate policy language and identify areas within the County that have the potential to maximize carbon sequestration and provide opportunities for climate change adaptation. The focus of these actions will be to increase overall landscape and species resiliency, reduce the risk of fire and floods, and address sea level rise and biodiversity loss.
Develop policies to maximize carbon sequestration and minimize loss of natural carbon sinks including old growth forests, the Laguna de Santa Rosa, and rangelands. Encourage agricultural and open space land management to maximize sequestration. Develop a framework and policies to incentivize collaboration with private and public land owners.
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565 Administration Drive
Suite 104A.Santa Rosa, CA 95403
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