Our Process

The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to following a Five Milestone process. These "milestones", established by ICLEI (International Council for Leadership in Environmental Initiatives), are designed to give cities and counties a clear path towards achieving climate protection goals. The City worked with a team of students from Cal Poly - the Cal Poly Climate Team - to develop a draft Climate Action Plan as called out in Milestone 3 between October 2009 and April 2010. The work was conducted in two phases:

Phase 1
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In Phase 1, the Cal Poly Climate Team conducted research, outreach, and policy review. Research included a review of climate science, the City’s emissions inventory, existing climate action plans in various cities and counties throughout the United States, and climate planning literature. Policy review assessed the positive impact of existing City policies and programs on reducing emissions and energy use. Emissions reductions resulting from these policies were estimated. Outreach was conducted via informational booths at Farmer’s Market, a community workshop, and various digital media outlets.


Phase 2
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The Policy Audit, from Phase 1, served as the starting point for Phase 2. Phase 2 involved a continuation of outreach opportunities, developing emissions reduction strategies, and preparing a staff draft of the Climate Action Plan. 

The outreach portion of this phase had a slightly different focus as  feedback was solicited on proposed policies and strategies. Workshops were hosted at local schools and meetings were conducted with stakeholder groups. Using the feedback gathered at these meetings in combination with additional research, the Cal Poly Climate Team conducted a feasibility assessment, calculated potential emissions reductions, and created a draft implementation and monitoring program for each proposed policy. Additional review and updates are in process before the draft plan is released for public review.
WHY A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?
The City of San Luis Obispo has a long history of implementing environmentally friendly principles and sustainable practices. In 2005, the City signed the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. In 2008, the City joined ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (CCP). The CCP Campaign prescribes a Five Milestone process for climate action: 
  1. Conduct a baseline emissions inventory and forecast.
  2. Set an emissions reduction target.
  3. Develop an action plan to meet the emissions reduction target.
  4. Implement the Climate Action Plan.
  5. Monitor and verify progress and results.

To learn more about the Five Milestones visit ICLEI's website.
Read the Final Emissions Inventory approved by the City Council on September 15th, 2009.
WHERE IS SAN LUIS OBISPO NOW?
So far, the City has conducted a baseline emissions inventory and set their emissions reduction target. The City of San Luis Obispo is currently developing a Climate Action Plan to meet Milestone 3 as well as participating with the Local Government Commission to develop climate adaptation strategies. Click HERE for the San Luis Obispo County Climate Change Adaptation Report.


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