Climate Action Planning

Climate Action Planning

Following the adoption of a greenhouse gas reduction target on July 1, 2019, the City of Charlottesville will develop a climate action plan for greenhouse gas reductions followed by a climate hazard risk assessment and climate resiliency/adaptation planning process. 

City Council passed resolutions on May 6, 2019 (PDF) and July 1, 2019 (PDF) directing that the Climate Action Plan be developed pursuant to the adopted reduction goal and include the following aspects:

  • Address Equity Specifically in Goals and the Climate Action Plan
  • Addresses Funding and Financing Options to Enable and Support Private Sector Action
  • Identify Measurement Frequency and Accountability Mechanisms
  • Identify of Sub-Goals by Sector and by Strategy in the Climate Action Plan
  • Front Load Reductions - pursue steeper reductions in the near term

Additional Strategies

Additionally, the Climate Action Plan will include, but not be limited to, strategies that address:

  1. Further enabling private financial sector investment in energy performance upgrades for commercial properties in the City of Charlottesville through adoption of a commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing program; and
  2. Effective funding programs and models for increased residential energy performance, including programs that are compatible with affordable housing and owner or renter-occupied housing; and
  3. The feasibility of integrating zero emission vehicles into the municipal fleet and supporting increased community adoption of zero emission vehicles; and
  4. Working in conjunction with regional partners to implement seamless programs and services to increase ease of participation for Charlottesville organizations and residents.

Timeline

The City has planned to begin community engagement to develop a Climate Action Plan in the Spring/Summer 2020. Formal engagement activities have been delayed due to the coronavirus response. Preparation work and supporting studies and projects are ongoing and will be rolled into future public engagement materials.