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In 2019 the Board of Commissioners directed staff to develop a countywide Climate Action Plan to determine how the county – both county government and the county as a whole -- could reach carbon neutrality by 2050, as stated in the 2019 Performance Clackamas strategic plan.
Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. Meeting this goal would give us a chance to limit warming and avoid the worst impacts of global change. Locally, a zero-emissions way of living and doing business could support a healthier and more economically resilient community.
With community input and invaluable contributions from a Community Advisory Task Force and Youth Advisory Task Force, county staff worked with an expert consultant team to create a draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) and supporting documents that outline goals and strategies that according to the consultants, if implemented, could achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 throughout Clackamas County.
- Draft Climate Action Plan - focused on reducing emissions from buildings, transportation and waste, November 2023
- Draft Implementation Guide - specific actions to carry out the strategies described in the draft CAP, November 2023
- Draft Climate Lens - tool to help staff consider emissions reductions of proposed projects, programs, services and other initiatives, November 2023
Countywide Actions to Combat Climate Change
- County operations greenhouse gas inventory
- First baseline community-wide greenhouse gas inventory
- Identified renewable energy procurement options for county operations
- Initiated process for a low-carbon county fleet and electric vehicle (EV) charging
- Support for innovative mass timber construction
- Offering a climate change presentation for schools
- Expanded commercial food scraps composting
- Host Repair Fairs for people to repair their broken appliances and tools instead of throwing them out
- Worked with area libraries to create Libraries of Things, where community members can check out items like board games, tools and appliances instead of buying new.
- Provide support for rural broadband so less populated communities can stay connected without needing to drive
Board of County Commissioners-adopted resolutions related to climate change
| 2019 | Added a specific goal about climate action to the county’s updated Performance Clackamas strategic plan. The goal states: By January 2022, a Climate Action Plan is adopted for our community with specific recommendations to reach the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. |
| 2018 | Directed staff to develop an updated countywide climate action plan. |
| 2017 | Reaffirmed the county’s climate goals. |
| 2008 | Adopted the U.S Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration and a resolution on climate change. |
What You Can Do
Community members making climate-friendly decisions and engaging with each other are crucial to reducing the county’s carbon footprint.
