AGENDA #12
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment
Council Members Dorothy Verkerk (Chair), Bill Strom and Jim Ward
SUBJECT: Proposal to Participate in Carbon Reduction Project Program
DATE: April 11, 2005
The Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment recommends that the Council adopt the attached Resolution declaring the Town’s intent to participate in the Community Carbon Reduction Project, a program established in England that challenges participants to substantially reduce existing levels of carbon dioxide emissions. The Town would join the Carolina Environmental Program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as participants in the program.
The Resolution also refers the proposal to the Town Manager for a follow-up report on next steps, including a recommendation on how to coordinate the Carbon Reduction Project with a proposed joint Chapel Hill-Carrboro-Orange County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.
BACKGROUND
On January 10, 2005, the Council referred to the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment a proposal from the Carolina Environmental Program at the University of North Carolina seeking a commitment from the Town to become a Carbon Reduction Project Demonstration Site (please see Attachment 1).
On February 11, 2005, the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment discussed the proposal with Douglas Crawford-Brown, director of the Carolina Environmental Program. Mr. Crawford-Brown said the Carolina Environmental Program and other University departments would commit resources to the project should Chapel Hill join.
The Committee decided to submit a report to the Council seeking the Council’s commitment to participate in the project.
DISCUSSION
The attached memorandum from Mr. Crawford-Brown (please see Attachment 2) describes the Community Carbon Reduction Project, which was established at the University of East Anglia in England in 2003 in response to the country’s pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent by 2050. Joining the program signals a commitment to take the “60 percent challenge,” to reduce emissions by 60 percent. The program’s website (www.cred-uk.org) lists more than 60 “partners” in England that have joined, including local governments, utility companies, commercial enterprises and environmental organizations. Chapel Hill, along with the Carolina Environmental Program, would become the first to join the program in the United States.
According to Mr. Crawford-Brown, the 60 percent pledge is legally “non-binding.” The Town’s participation means the Town is committing to adopting a timeline and a plan for achieving the carbon dioxide emissions reduction goal. Mr. Crawford-Brown states that the plan to be used should “guide not only future development in the geographic area but to alter existing development as needed (e.g. through stimulating retrofitting of homes with energy efficient appliances).”
Please see Attachment 2 for more information on the draft proposal from the Carolina Environmental Program prepared by Mr. Crawford-Brown after meeting with the Council Committee. The Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment recommends determining the specific responsibilities of the Town and the Carolina Environmental Program in coordination with the development of a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.
Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan
Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County planners are preparing a joint Memorandum of Agreement on the development of a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan. ICLEI Energy Services based in Toronto was selected for the project as part of a joint staff Request for Qualifications process. ICLEI Energy Services is the technical services consulting arm of the ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County are members of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. ICLEI Energy Services is the technical services consulting arm of the organization.
We understand that the Memorandum of Agreement, including a proposed scope of work, is tentatively scheduled for Council consideration on May 9, 2005. Approval by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and Orange County Board of Commissioners also will be needed.
The development of the countywide plan provides an opportunity to direct the consultant to identify measures that would achieve the Carbon Reduction Project’s 60 percent emissions reduction goal.
REcommendation
The Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment recommends that the Council adopt the attached Resolution agreeing to join the Carolina Environmental Program in participating in the Carbon Reduction program.
The Resolution also refers the attached proposal from the Carolina Environmental Program to the Manager for a follow-up report recommending steps to coordinate the Carbon Reduction Project with the development of the a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL’S INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CARBON REDUCTION PROJECT (2005-04-11/R-11)
WHEREAS, the Town’s Comprehensive Plan states that “the Town shall encourage site planning, landscaping, and structure design which maximizes the potential for energy conservation by reducing the demand for artificial heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, and facilitating the use of solar and other energy resources.”; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill is a member of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and participant in the organization’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2005, the Council referred to the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment a proposal from the Carolina Environmental Program at the University of North Carolina seeking a commitment from the Town to become a Carbon Reduction Project Demonstration Site; and
WHEREAS, on February 11, 2005, the Council Committee on Sustainability, Energy and Environment discussed the proposal with Douglas Crawford-Brown, director of the Carolina Environmental Program; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County are developing a draft joint Memorandum of Agreement to proceed with the development of a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council declares the Town of Chapel Hill’s intent to participate in the Carbon Reduction Project working with the Carolina Environmental Program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council refers the proposal attached with this memorandum to the Town Manager for a follow-up report that will include a recommendation for coordinating the Carbon Reduction Project with the development of a Countywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.
This the 11th day of April, 2005.