Title
Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution
Action
Action:
Adopt a non-binding Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution.
Body
Committee Chair:
Dimple Ajmera, Environment
Staff Resource(s):
Kim Eagle, City Manager’s Office
Rob Phocas, Economic Development
Explanation
§ In November 2017, City Council considered a Clean Energy Resolution for adoption.
§ City Council did not adopt the resolution and sent it to the Environment Committee with a charge to:
- Draft a resolution appropriate and tailored for Charlotte, and
- Develop an action plan for how the goal(s) would be achieved.
§ Staff worked with the Environment Committee, Envision Charlotte, and community stakeholders to meet this charge.
§ Staff presented a first draft of the resolution to the Environment Committee during the April 2018 Committee meeting.
§ Staff presented a revised second draft of the resolution to the Environment Committee during the June 2018 Committee meeting.
§ The Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution, is a non-binding resolution in which the City of Charlotte resolves to:
- Strive to become a low carbon city by 2050 and develop a Strategic Energy Action Plan to be presented to City Council,
- Continue the work currently under way to advance short term goals for reductions in energy consumption in City operations as a first step on the path towards a low carbon future, and
- Strive to source 100 percent of energy use in City buildings and fleet from zero carbon sources by 2030.
§ Municipalities have adopted similar resolutions across the United States.
§ The Fiscal Year 2018 - 2019 Environment Focus Area Plan commits the City of Charlotte to “become a global leader in environmental sustainability, balancing economic growth with preserving natural resources.”
Committee Discussion
§ On June 4, 2018, the Environment Committee voted 4-1 (Ajmera, Egleston, Newton, Winston voted yes; Phipps voted no) on a motion to recommend that full Council adopt the resolution (with a few edits agreed upon during the meeting). Committee Chair Ajmera referred the resolution with no objection to full City Council.
§ During the June 11, 2018, Action Review Meeting, a presentation and discussion about the resolution occurred. Through consultation with Environment Committee members, staff proposed one technical edit to the language of the final clause of the resolution: to remove the phrase “including renewable and nuclear energy.” This technical change appears in the final resolution.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution