Resolution 1453RESOLUTION NO. 1453
A RESOLUTION OF THE EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SETTING A
SCIENCE BASED CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING TARGET OF
LIMITING THE GLOBAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURE INCREASE
TO NO MORE THAN 1.5 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE PRE-
INDUSTRIAL TEMPERATURES
WHEREAS, climate change poses a grave threat to the health and well-being of this and
future generations in Edmonds and beyond; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2017, the City of Edmonds' Mayor signed the Mayors National
Climate Action Agenda and stated, "In light of the [President's] decision to withdraw
from the Paris Accord, I feel it important for our city to emphasize our local commitment
to, and continued effort to improve our environment"; and
WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 1389 the Edmonds' City Council fully supported
endorsement of the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda and also identified new
actions to take; and
WHEREAS, as a signatory of the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance ("SELA"), Edmonds
has committed itself to being a regional and national leader in addressing the adverse
impacts of climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels; and enacted bold policies
and programs to reduce emissions from its transportation, building energy, and waste
sectors and reduced emissions while its population has grown; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2010 the City of Edmonds completed a Climate Change
Action Plan that states replacing fossil fuel -derived energy with renewable energy
sources for both city owned building and throughout our community is critical to
achieving the greenhouse reduction goals set forth in the City's Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 1389 noted the City Staff and the Climate and the Climate
Protection Committee will establish and recommend to the City Council a GHG
emissions reduction target goal for both the near term and long term; and
WHEREAS, a science -based climate target sets a rate of climate action that is aligned
with keeping average global temperature increases below a specified level of increase
compared to pre -industrial temperatures.
WHEREAS, an advantage of adopting a science -based target is that it can remain
constant. Over time, the rate of decarbonization necessary to meet the target may go up
or down, depending on the success of the climate action plan. The science -based target is
the desired endpoint, and decarbonization rates can be adjusted as the primary means of
reaching it.
WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement resulted in a commitment from almost every nation to
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take action and enact programs to limit global temperature increase to less than 2 degrees
Celsius, with an expectation that this goal would be reduced to 1.5 degrees in the future;
and
WHEREAS, in 2019, a science based climate target was discussed by the Climate
Protection Committee which recommended that the City pursue efforts to limit the
increase in the global average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial
levels; and
WHEREAS, the City is updating the Climate Change Action Plan which will include
reviewing specific strategies for meeting the emissions reduction targets based on the
City's adopted science based climate target;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Edmonds, Washington as follows:
Section 1. The City Council adopts the science based climate target of limiting the
increase in the global average temperature to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-
industrial levels.
Section 2. While updating the City's Climate Action Plan, the City will review specific
strategies for the Edmonds' share of meeting the no more than 1.5 degrees target as well
as tying mitigation with adaption measures where possible.
RESOLVED this 18th day of August, 2020.
CITY OF EDMONDS
MOOR, MIKE NELSON
ATTEST/AUTHENT TED:
LERK, SCOTT P SEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: August 14, 2020
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: August 18, 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 1453