Agenda 11-02-23; 6-a - Orange County Climate Action Plan and Greenhouse Gas Inventory

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SUMMARY PURPOSE Orange County's 2023 CAP is meant to serve as a guiding document towards GHG reductions,both in County operations and community-wide.It is designed as a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions in a manner consistent with state guidelines and regulations, and to identify cost-effective opportunities to existing and future residents, businesses, and development projects for a more sustainable community.At the same time,the CAP provides a framework for environmental leadership and an educational resource to the community. The CAP is intentionally a living document that can be revised as needed with clear and transparent metrics by which progress can be both assessed and measured. Although the County will be flexible, it will remain steadfast to the objectives ahead. There are 70 strategies with 187 associated actions outlined within the CAP. Certain commitments within the CAP have risen to the top as the most impactful climate action targets for both community and County operations that should be prioritized above the rest. They are listed as the "Top 10 Things the County Should Do''. TOP 10 THINGS THE COUNTY SHOULD DC et 3. 4. Expand Countynek Identify and Be prepared funding to include y as prioritize actions for climate climate expenditures andithin targeted to vulnerable emergencies additional full time unty's populations within sustainability and grantcess the County administrator staff Strateaiies 1-4 are not specific to GHG emission reduction. Instead, these strategies serve as a qualitative framework that will become the guiding principles of the County's planning process. The priority for the County is to expand funding to support this CAP. Funding will not only emerge from internal department budgets, but the expansion of funding will rely heavily on current and future grant opportunities. All planning decisions will weigh environmental impacts along with the social and economic impacts that these CAP projects and programs will present. This consideration will become a formal way to conduct business. #3 The County will maintain course to provide equitable solutions for underserved communities within the County and Ensure that the County is prepared for climate emergencies. It should also be mentioned that ensuring future development is concentrated near existing services and other buildings is critical to reducing GHG emissions. This will lessen the amount of VMT and create greater conservation of connected forest and green space. 12 2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA