City of Issaquah Passes Climate Action Plan
On December 6th the Issaquah City Council voted unanimously to adopt Issaquah’s first Climate Action Plan!
The plan includes a mix of both mitigation and adaptation strategy actions.
Image from City of Issaquah Climate Action Plan
Mitigation actions address the cause of climate change by reducing GHG emissions and increasing carbon “sinks” to store these gases. Examples include: Clean Energy, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Transportation, Building Electrification and Weatherization. Mitigation Targets and Metrics = 50% decrease in GHG emissions by 2030, 75% decrease by 2040, 95% decrease GHG emissions & net zero emissions by 2050
Adaptation actions address and manage the impacts of climate change by protecting vulnerable social and biological systems. Despite local mitigation efforts, we must still prepare for and adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change we are already experiencing. Examples include: Equip Communities for climate emergencies, Disaster preparedness, Increased green spaces and tree canopy cover, Water and energy conservation
The City of Issaquah’s vision:
Collaborate closely with neighboring communities leading by example
Educate and engage residents and businesses to inspire behavior change and foster accountability in addressing climate change
Thoughtful and intentional approach to climate action, taking this opportunity to address existing inequities in our community and enhance livability for all Issaquah residents
Image from City of Issaquah Climate Action Plan
The Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) has been a part of the process from the beginning when we were helping to organize Issaquah’s first Community Convening on Climate workshops which brought the community together to help develop a plan to address climate change including meeting our King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) emission reduction goals, and were originally planned to be in person but due to the pandemic where successfully held virtually.
The Issaquah People for Climate Action team, led by Ann Fletcher, was the driving force behind the Community Convening on Climate workshops. At the workshops it became clear the community wanted to have a good plan to move forward with reducing Issaquah’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensure Issaquah is prepared as our climate changes.
The newly formed Issaquah Environmental Board not only helped with the creation of the plan but will oversee the progress in years to come. Long time IATC Board member Tom Anderson and IATC President Elect Anne Newcomb also serve on the Environmental Board.
Continued and increased community involvement will be necessary for us to accomplish these important goals! You can check out the Climate Action Plan here and you can always find it and how to participate on the City of Issaquah web site.
IATC is very grateful to the City of Issaquah and Sustainability Department for making this happen!