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CAP Overview CAP Overview Highlights of this CAP - What's New Since our first Climate Action Plan (CAP) was adopted in 2013, much has changed related to climate protection. Consequently, this CAP includes the following updates and additions: • Incorporates new global, state, and local policies and climate targets, including carbon neutrality. • Documents climate change impacts here in San Mateo County and previews what we need to plan for. • Documents our community partners and how we plan to work together to achieve our goals. • Addresses emissions from what we buy and consume in addition to emissions we generate here. • Provides more ways individuals, community groups, and businesses can get involved. • Focuses on equity, or how to make sure everyone benefits, especially the most vulnerable members of our community. The Role of Equity We cannot address climate change without also addressing equity. Commonly, climate change disproportionately threatens those who are the least responsible for generating pollution, the most vulnerable to its impacts, and the least able to adapt. This is true globally, and it is also true in Redwood City. Many climate change impacts, such as health impacts, will disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations. (See sidebar for the definition of "social vulnerability.") That's why the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors emphasized the need to take health, socio-economic, and racial equity into account in policymaking and climate solutions at all levels in their 2019 climate emergency declaration.15 According to Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), an international organization of local and regional governments, climate equity ensures that all people have the opportunity to benefit equally from climate solutions, while not taking on an unequal burden of climate impacts.16 Since greenhouse gas contribution typically increases with income" — this CAP asks those more responsible for contributing GHG emissions to do more to reduce those emissions. Simultaneously, the CAP outlines ways to assist low-income community members in accessing carbon -free energy and technologies. When all community members have the same ability to plan for and shape their futures, the result is a healthier and more resilient community. However, achieving this vision requires hard work and intention. Redwood City recognizes the importance of proactively including socially vulnerable groups and those who have traditionally been underrepresented in planning processes to participate in the development of this CAP. Redwood City is working on partnering with our community organizations to ensure that the planning process is accessible and welcoming to our full community. As Redwood City implements the programs and policies that result from this CAP, we will continue to seek support and feedback from the diverse group of community stakeholders. Moving forward, Redwood City will evaluate programs and policies using key performance metrics that encourage equitable engagement and impact. City of Redwood City Climate Action Plan 16