INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM May 6, 2021
TO: Cynthia Borrego, President, City Council
FROM: Timothy M. Keller, Mayor
SUBJECT: title
2021 Albuquerque Climate Action Plan
body
The City of Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department Office of Sustainability is seeking review and adoption of the 2021 Albuquerque Climate Action Plan. Over the last year, the Sustainability Office has followed the direction of City Resolution R-19-187 to update the 2009 Albuquerque Climate Action Plan. Following national best practices to center equity in all policies, the Sustainability Office developed a community-led planning process that centered on the experiences of Albuquerque’s frontline communities, or those communities that are impacted “first and worst” by the effects of climate change. A 19-member task force of community members able to represent and connect to frontline communities was brought together to develop the policy strategies contained in the climate action task force. After working with over six months with the support of city staff and policy experts, and considerable input from the public, the task force finalized 50 strategies and the new Climate Action Plan was released on April 22, 2021.
The task force’s 50 strategies cover the topics of sustainable buildings, renewable energy, clean transportation, recycling and waste, economic development, and climate conscious neighborhoods and resources. The strategies also span across a range of actions and sustainability topics from policy to further planning and infrastructure development. Together, the updated 2021 strategies present focused, actionable pathways to fulfilling a vision of a more sustainable and equitable Albuquerque with opportunities for engagement for all members of the greater community. In all cases, these strategies are coupled with metrics which will be used by the Sustainability Office to guide the trajectory of future climate action, as well as to
assess Albuquerque’s progress towards greenhouse gas mitigation and climate justice for years to come.
If the 2021 Climate Action Plan is approved by Council, the Sustainability Office and Albuquerque communities will have the support of Council in implementing its strategies. In the coming months the Sustainability Office will initiate collaboration across City departments, utilities, community organizations and others to engage and amplify mobilization and communication on the plan’s strategies. To maintain the plan’s community-rootedness, the Sustainability Office will host quarterly community meetings to provide updates and
gather input regarding CAP implementation. Finally, the Office plans to complete yearly, follow-up reporting on Albuquerque’s progress towards these strategies
Approved: Approved as to Legal Form:
_______________________ ____________________________
Sarita Nair Date Esteban A. Aguilar, Jr. Date
Chief Administrative Officer City Attorney
Recommended:
__________________________________________
Ryan C. Mast Date
Director