Sustainable Washington 2009: Planning for Climate Change

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Since October 2008, a group of 30 APA members has been working to produce this resource document for planners involved in sustainability and climate change issues: Sustainable Washington 2009: Planning for Climate Change. This document is designed to grow and change as our knowledge of these issues evolve. We welcome your comments on this document, suggestions for changes, and information for updates. Please send your response to: [email protected].

Table of Contents

The Climate Change Challenge

Purpose, Key Terms, Sustainability and APA, Unique Challenge, Principles, Guide

Copenhagen Synthesis Report

Key Messages from the 2009 Copenhagen Synthesis Report summarizing the social and environmental implications

USCM Climate Change Agreement

The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, as endorsed by the 73rd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors Meeting, Chicago, 2005.

2. Climate Change in Washington

Global warming/Climate Change Impacts in WA, Emissions, State of the Climate

3. Actions Planners Can Take - Introduction

Introduction: Actions planners can take

3.1 Climate Change Impacts and Hazards

Climate Change Impacts and Hazards - Adaptation as a Response - Understand the potential impacts

Project Example #1

Redmond, Washington – Hazard Mitigation Plan

Project Example #2

King County and Seattle, Washington - Updating SEPA Policy

3.2 Ecosystems and Water

Ecosystems and Water

Project Example #1

Kirkland Washington - Tree preservation

Project Example #2

Spokane Washington - Water stewartship program

Project Example #3

King County and Snohomish County, Washington - Transfer of Development (TDR) Program

3.3 Energy

Energy generation, supply and emissions

Project Example #1

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory

Project Example #2

Bellingham’s Green Power program.

Project Example #3

Community Energy Projects – Bainbridge Island and Ellensburg, Washington.

3.4 Waste Management

Promoting the recycling, reuse and reduction in waste

Project Example #1

Olympia adopted a master plan entitled: Toward Zero Waste: Olympia's Waste Resources Plan 2008

Project Example #2

Seattle adopted a waste management plan to recycle and compost up to 60 percent of its waste by 1998.

Project Example #3

The City of Snoqualmie's Wastewater Reclamation Facility, completed in 1998.

3.5 Land Use

Value of Land Use to Address Climate Change, Washingtons GMA, Reg's to promote densification

Project Example #1

Compact Mixed-Use Development in Burien, WA

Project Example #2

Downtown Zoning Ordinance LEED Incentive - Seattle, WA

Project Example #3

Updating SEPA Policy - King County and Seattle, WA

3.6 Mobility

Planning transportation needs for efficient use of resources.

Project Example #1

Commute Reduction Program – Whatcom County, WA

Project Example #2

Columbia River Crossing (CRC) Project

3.7 Food Security & Agriculture

Agriculture and planning

Project Example #1

Food Policy Council - Clark County and King County, WA

Project Example #2

Educational farm tour - WSU King County Extension

Project Example #3

Local Food Processing - Center for Local Self-Reliance - Bellingham, WA

Project Example #4

Community Fruit Tree Harvest - Seattle, WA

3.8 Construction and Green Building Practices

How the construction, operation, maintenance, design, and siting of buildings affects emissions

Project Example #1

Zero Energy Project, “ZHome” – Issaquah, WA

3.9 Social Equity

Promoting social equity and environmental justice for Washington state residents through sustainable systems

Project Example #1

Sustainability Plan – Vancouver, WA

Project Example #2

Assessment of Service Delivery by Equity Measures – King County, WA

Project Example #3

Community Based Services – Tacoma, WA

3.10 Public Health

Public health considerations in planning

3.11 Economy

Planning in the support of positive economic factors

4. Washington’s Planning Framework for Climate Change

Planning for climate change in Washington State

5. Conclusions

Conclusions about sustainablility in Washington State

Appendix A: Summary List of Recommended Actions

Part I: Sections 3.1 to 3.4

Part II: Sections 3.5 to 3.8

Part III: Sections 3.9 to 3.11

Appendix B: Punchlist Case Studies

Appendix C: Acknowledgements