Transcript Stuart Freuberg - Potomac Watershed Roundtable

National Capital Region
Climate Change Report
Presentation for the Potomac Watershed Roundtable
Stuart A. Freudberg
Director, Environmental Programs
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
January 9, 2009
What is COG?
• COG is a voluntary, regional
organization of Washington area local
governments. Formed in 1957.
• COG is composed of 21 local
governments surrounding our nation's
capital*
• 250 elected officials in total
• 135 staff in 4 departments
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Transportation
Environment
Public safety and Health
Community Planning and Services
• http://www.mwcog.org/
*plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia
legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House
of Representatives.
Population ~ 5 million
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COG Board Action April 11, 2007
COG Board Action April 11, 2007
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R31-07 creates COG Climate Change Steering Committee to:
 Prepare regional inventory of greenhouse gases
 Identify best practices and policies
 Examine climate change impacts
 Recommend regional greenhouse gas reduction goal(s)
 Recommend committee structure for climate change
initiative
 Propose advocacy positions
 Prepare recommendations report
to COG Board
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Climate Change Steering
Committee
• 18 members
– Primarily elected officials from the District of
Columbia, Maryland and Virginia local
governments
– State environmental representatives from
Maryland, Virginia and DC
– Regional transit agency (METRO), Greater
Washington Board of Trade
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Major Accomplishments
Greenhouse gas emissions inventory 2005-2050
Best Practices Report
Emission reduction goals for 2012, 2020, 2050
Federal/state advocacy
Draft Report July 9, 2008
Listening July 9 – Sept. 30
Final Report Adopted November 12, 2008
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Best Practices Guide
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HIGHLIGHTS:
Over 2/3 of local governments in the
region purchase renewable energy
Over 1⁄2 of the jurisdictions have
adopted energy efficiency measures
Nearly 90% of the communities in
the region have embarked on transit
oriented development and over 80%
have “walkable community”
initiatives
About 70% of communities have
green space protection and green
infrastructure programs
All communities in the region have
recycling programs.
Download at: http://www.mwcog.org/store/item.asp?PUBLICATION_ID=321
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Climate Change Report
I.
Getting Smart on Climate Change
Climate Change, Potential Impacts on Region;
Current & Projected Regional Greenhouse Gas
Emission Inventory;
Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
II. Taking Action
Energy Consumption;
Transportation and Land Use;
Economic Development; Preparing for Impacts,
Financing; Outreach and Education.
III. Moving Forward
COG Climate Change Program
IV. Reference Information
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Global CO2 Emissions Since 1752
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Measured Temperature Changes in
Chesapeake Bay Surface Waters
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Milder Winters, Much Hotter
Summers
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Sea-level Rise Vulnerability in DC
Area
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Total – 74 million metric tonnes in 2005
Source: MWCOG 2008.
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Example of Local Government
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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Projections of Regional Greenhouse
Gas Emissions: 2005-2050
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Proposed Regional Reduction Goals
2012:
10% Below Business as Usual
2020:
20% Below 2005
2050:
80% Below 2005
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Major Energy
Recommendations
Improve Energy Efficiency/Reduce Energy Demand
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Implement COG Green Building
Policy
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Explore energy audit and retrofit
program.
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Implement Best Practices to reduce
local government energy use by
15% by 2015
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Promote energy efficient street
lighting.
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Collaborate with utilities on regional
energy conservation program.
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Advocate for rate structure that
rewards conservation investment.
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Promote energy efficient building
codes
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Promote energy performance
contracting/cooperative purchasing
Develop Clean Energy Alternatives
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Remove barriers to renewable
energy implementation.
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Local Governments Purchase
20% Renewable Energy by
2015.
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Major
Transportation
Recommendations
Increase Fuel Efficiency and Clean Fuel Vehicles
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Adopt Regional Green Fleet Policy
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Implement incentives for high
mileage and alternative fueled
vehicles
Plan for alternative fuel
infrastructure (natural gas,
hybrid-electric, hydrogen)
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Explore state/regional
alternative fuels standard.
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Support California Low Emission
Vehicle Standards
Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
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Collaborate with TPB on:
• “What Would it Take?” Analysis
• Regional planning process for
reducing transportation
greenhouse gas emissions
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Invest/expand transit use and
infrastructure
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Expand commuter options
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Major Land Use
Recommendations
Smart Growth/Comprehensive Planning
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Promote transit-oriented
development and
concentrated growth
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Establish Transit-oriented
development as the region’s
preferred growth strategy
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Evaluate benefits from
directing up to 95% of new
development to activity
centers
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Integrate greenhouse gas
analyses into comprehensive
planning and new capital
projects
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Develop standard
methodology for evaluating
greenhouse gas emissions
from proposed individual
development projects
Tree Canopy Preservation
• Prepare plan to meet goal of increased tree canopy in region.
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Developing a Plan to Increase
Tree Canopy
Current Situation and Challenge
• 1.3 million acres of forest and grassland in the National
Capital Region
• Sequesters approximately 4.1 million metric tons of CO2
annually
• Annual loss of forested land occurring now
• Significant additional future loss of land possible
(>200,000 acres by 2030?)
• Region in nonattainment with federal ozone standards
• Recognition that enhanced urban tree canopy can
improve air quality
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Percent of Developed Land Within
the WMA
Increase in Developed Land
within the COG WMA
35
32.6%
30
25
20.4%
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15
10
17.8%
13.8%
15.1%
12.2%
PRE1986
1990
1996
2000
2006
2030
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Additional
Recommendations
Adaptation
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Research best practices to
prepare for effects of climate
change.
Partner with universities to
research climate change and
adaptation strategies.
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Develop a regional climate
adaptation plan to assist localities
with vulnerability assessments,
adaptation planning, and
emergency preparedness.
Conduct adaptation workshops
with major infrastructure agencies
(wastewater, water supply,
stormwater, transportation)
Outreach and Education
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Implement regional public
education campaign
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Develop partnerships with private
sector and other organizations.
Financing and Economic Development
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Develop Regional Carbon Offset
Fund for preserving tree canopy
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Promote cooperative regional green
purchasing.
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Next Steps
• 2009 Tasks
–Develop Plans to Meet 2012 and
2020 Goals
• Identify Priority initiatives for 2009
–Convene Policy Workgroup to
Develop Recommendation for
Federal/State Legislative Sessions
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COG Board Action April 11, 2007
For further information…
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To obtain an electronic copy of the final report:
http://www.mwcog.org/store/item.asp?PUBLICATION_ID=334
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Questions?
– Stuart A. Freudberg, COG Environmental Director
• [email protected], 202/962-3340
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