Community Planning and
Climate Change
Al Herson, JD, FAICP
Principal, SWCA Environmental
Consultants
UCLA Land Use Law and Policy
Conference, January 25, 2008

The Planning and
Climate Change Connection

California generates 2% of world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Transportation and electricity account for over
60% of the state’s GHG emissions

Community planning can play major role in reducing these emissions

Climate change has energized and is sweeping the planning profession
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Provides substantial new momentum for smart growth policies
2

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Today’s policy framework
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Land use and transportation strategies
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Planning policy initiatives
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Recommendations
3

5


Goal: reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
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Creates Climate Action Team to develop
GHG reduction strategies, issue biennial reports to Governor
6

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Goal: reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020
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ARB implementation
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October 2007: early actions to be implemented by
2010
January 2008: emissions reporting regulations
January 2009: scoping plan
January 2011: comprehensive regulations adopted
January 2012: comprehensive regulations implemented
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Planning strategies only briefly mentioned in 2006 CAT report
Planning strategies not included in early actions
Planning strategies currently being considered in scoping report process
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CEC issued influential land use report in 2007
Environmental groups submitted to ARB strategies including land use, smart growth, transportation, and low impact development
Strategies to be developed by “LUSCAT” (Land Use Subgroup of
Climate Action team)
8


SB 97: by January 2010, Resources Agency must adopt guidelines on analyzing and mitigating climate change impacts.
Implications:

Legislature intends CEQA documents to address climate change

Legislature did not intend AB 32 to preempt CEQA from addressing climate change
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CEQA and Climate Change (cont’d)
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In the interim:
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CEQA approaches uncertain

CAPCOA and AEP white papers offer optional approaches

Attorney General as CEQA enforcer continues to comment on land use and transportation plan
EIRs

Center for Biological Diversity commenting and filing CEQA lawsuits, e.g., cities of Banning and
Perris
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Climate change best addressed upfront in regional and local plans, rather than projectspecific mitigation
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Many California communities have or are adopting GHG reduction initiatives
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Marin County General Plan a model
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AG/San Bernardino CEQA lawsuit settlement requires general plan to include GHG emissions reduction strategy
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Land Use and
Transportation Strategies
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Generally includes:
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Compact urban form
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More mixed use development
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Higher density housing
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Transit/pedestrian oriented development
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Open space preservation
14

(cont’d)
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ULI “Growing Cooler” report
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Reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) essential part of transportation sector GHG emissions reduction
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Smart growth can reduce VMT 20%-40% compared to conventional development
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How? Fewer and shorter automobile trips
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Smart growth can reduce transportation GHG emissions 7-10% compared to current trends
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Green building regulations: emphasize energy conservation, water conservation, and alternative energy sources
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Aka “low impact development”
LEED standards for buildings used widely

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LEED ND (Neighborhood Development) certification program in pilot stage
LEED ND integrates smart growth and green building
Cities such as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and San Francisco have adopted green building regulations
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Other Ingredients in
Local Climate Action Plans
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Measures to increase transit use
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Reduced GHG emissions from municipal facilities, buildings and fleets
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Green purchasing policies
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Waste reduction and recycling
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Measures to adapt to climate change
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18


U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement
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Goal: meet Kyoto Protocol target of reducing GHG emissions to 7% below
1990 levels by 2012
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Signed by 710 mayors, over 90 in
California
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Local Government Initiatives (cont’d)
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Cool Counties
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Commits counties to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050
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Seven California counties have joined
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California Climate Action Network
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Local government forum for information sharing and collaboration
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Local government membership: over 1000, including 60 in California
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Cities for Climate Protection Program: performance based framework for reducing
GHG emissions
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Climate Resilient Communities Program: tools to protect communities fro impacts and costs of climate change
21

Energy Commission Land Use Report
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Regional transportation and air quality agencies prepare long-term regional growth plans that reduce GHG emissions to state targets
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State adopts growth management strategy built from required regional plans
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State planning, infrastructure, and regulation aligned
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Add GHG emissions reduction and energy conservation to AB 857 goals
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Energy Commission Land Use Report
(cont’d)
23
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Other recommendations address technical and financial assistance, changes in tax policies

California Chapter APA Climate
Change Response Policies
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Planning: similar to CEC report, but more voluntary and incentive based
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CEQA: state should define acceptable methodologies and provide streamlining for small projects and LEED-certified projects
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California Chapter APA Climate
Change Response Policies (cont’d)
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Adaptation
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State should provide projections of climate change impacts
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Regional and local plans should include adaptation policies
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Climate change impacts include: sea level rise, coastal storms and erosion, flooding, levee stress, wildfire risks, reduced water supplies
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Basic elements:
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ARB sets regional GHG emissions targets
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Regional transportation agencies develop preferred growth scenarios to meet targets
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Author’s intent: extensions of regional “blueprint” plans
Caltrans is already funding
Future state-funded transportation projects to be consistent with regional plan
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CEQA streamlining incentives if local general plans consistent with preferred growth scenario
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(cont’d)
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Criticisms
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Complicates established transportation planning/funding
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Erodes local land use control
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Reduces affordable housing
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Creates unfunded state mandates
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Regional planning agencies differ in planning capacity and local government relationships
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Why Changes in Community Planning
30 are Needed
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Changed planning strategies implemented today can make a big difference in GHG emissions
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Land use policies can also play key role in adapting to climate change, e.g., coastal and floodplain development
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California can serve as role model for other growing states and nations

Why Changes in Community Planning
31 are Needed (cont’d)
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Smart growth strategies provide benefits in addition to GHG reduction
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E.g., open space preservation, reduced infrastructure costs, reduced fossil fuel dependence, improved public health


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Revamped “blueprint” regional growth and transportation plans to reduce GHG emissions
State infrastructure funding consistent with new regional plans
Financial and regulatory streamlining incentives for local plans and projects consistent with new regional plans
32

(cont’d)
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What’s needed to implement strategies?
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State capacity-building, funding, and technical assistance
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Public and private sector engagement
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Local government support
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