HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.042.2021 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ("BOCC") OF
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, ENDORSING THE DECLARATION OF A
CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND REQUESTING REGIONAL COLLABORATION
TO COUNTER CLIMATE CHANGE AND PRESERVE A FLOURISHING
ENVIRONMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 042-2021
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 2.8.4 (Actions) of the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter
("HRC"), all matters not required to be acted upon by ordinance or formal resolution may
be acted upon by informal resolution, and
WHEREAS, In April 2016 world leaders from 175 countries recognized the threat of
climate change and the urgent need to combat it by signing the Paris Agreement, agreeing
to keep warming"well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels" and to "pursue efforts to
limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C"; and
WHEREAS, The current warming of the planet by 1°C due to greenhouse gases correlates
with the increase and intensification of wildfires, floods,rising seas, diseases, droughts and
extreme weather that compromise humanity's safety and the economic well-being of the
county and nation; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County has long been committed to sustainability and to preserve
natural resources for current and future generations, and endeavors to be a leader in
responsible stewardship of the environment; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County's Strategic Plan establishes the need to preserve and develop a
"flourishing natural and built environment," a"supportive and livable community," and a
"prosperous economy"; and
WHEREAS, The impacts of Climate Change affect everyone regardless of age, gender or
socioeconomic background; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County strives to be cognizant of its most vulnerable populations that
are disproportionately impacted by Climate Change; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County has committed to taking steps to reduce its own contributions to
climate change by adopting the following climate-related resolutions:
• Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado,
adopting the 2017 Pitkin County Climate Action Plan (Resolution No. 074-2017);
• Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado,
Approving the Pitkin County Energy Action Plan(Resolution No. 046-2008);
• Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado,
Endorsing Climate Protection(Resolution No. 034-2012); and
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WHEREAS, Addressing the repercussions and causes of climate change will require
regional collaboration and immediate action; and
WHEREAS, The imminent impacts of already occurring Climate Change requires increased
resiliency measures to provide for, and mitigate negative effects on, Public Health; and
WHEREAS, The implementation of the Pitkin County Climate Action Plan is occurring on
a daily basis, with some of the significant actions being:
• The revision of the Building Code to work towards net-zero energy use;
• The revision of the Land-Use Code to encourage installation of renewable energy
technologies;
• The installation of solar energy systems on new County buildings and the
retrofitting of existing County buildings;
• The emphasis on energy conservation in all Pitkin County facilities;
• Working towards the diversion of construction and demolition waste and debris
from the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center;
• The continual support and development of regional mass transit efforts and
transportation solutions;
• The electrification of Pitkin County's vehicle fleet; and
WHEREAS, Restoring a safe and stable climate requires emergency mobilization across all
sectors to rapidly drawdown or remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and to
implement measures that will reach zero greenhouse gas emissions. The BOCC finds that it
is in the best interests of the citizens of Pitkin County to approve this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Pitkin County, Colorado that it hereby adopts an Endorsement of the Declaration of a
Climate Emergency and the Request for Regional Collaboration to Counter Climate Change
and Preserve a Flourishing Environment and authorizes the Chair to sign the Resolution and
upon the satisfaction of the County Attorney as to form, execute any other associated
documents necessary to complete this matter.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we adopt the following Climate Action Goals for
Pitkin County:
1. To reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 2020 levels by 2050
through the measurable implementation of policies that preserve community
character and equitably distribute policy impacts among those of different socio-
economic and racial backgrounds.
2. Through cooperation with other jurisdictions, special districts,utilities and
organizations, adapt infrastructure, land-use, and regional and environmental
resources for the impacts of Climate Change.
3. To equitably involve citizens and stakeholders of all socio-economic and racial
backgrounds in outreach and education programs to determine and provide best
practices for Climate Change adaptation and mitigation.
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INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED ON THE 9TH DAY OF JUNE 2021.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
By 3tAIALfft, 3bin t-S By: 7Z r-,--Q 7 �
Jeanette Jones Kelly McNicholas Kury, Chair
Deputy County Clerk
Date: Jun-23-2021
By P Oi'pur By: Ve.ve.A F. CU' L
Patti Clapper, Commissioner Steve Child, Commissioner
By_✓� By: Fr6uAtit, johlft,V'
Greg Poschman, Commissioner Francie Jacober, Commissioner
APPROVED AS TO FORM: MANAGER APPROVAL
01‘, E1 p( iUs Chu,
John Ely, County Attorney Phylis Mattice for Jon Peacock, County
Manager
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