Climate Action Plan

A blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

On June 6, 2016, City Council adopted the Del Mar Climate Action Plan (CAP) (PDF), which sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% 2020 and 50% 2035. The CAP identifies strategies to meet the targets, provides an implementation plan and discusses ways in which the City must adapt to the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and water shortages.

In 2020, the City published a Monitoring Report that checks progress on 22 goals tied to Energy & Buildings, Water & Waste, Transportation, and Urban Tree Planting. The report also identifies eight Social Equity Strategies.

Climate Action Plan Monitoring Report (July 2020)

The CAP is a living document designed to protect our natural resources, prevent harm to the natural environment, enhance human health, and improve the social and economic well-being of the community for current and future generations. It establishes a series of measures aimed at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Releasing GHGs into the atmosphere is the major cause of global warming, and significant reductions are required to slow the increase in annual temperatures that has already begun.

The CAP includes a renewable energy goal of 50% by 2020 and 100% by 2035. Additional CAP strategies include reducing water consumption and waste generation, promoting energy efficiency, and encouraging sustainable transportation alternatives.

Sustainability Advisory Committee

The City Council-appointed Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) oversaw development of the CAP. The SAC has identified five priority areas for CAP implementation based on the measures that have the greatest potential greenhouse gas emissions reduction:

Pursuing increased use of renewable energy sources, including implementation of a community choice energy program;
Facilitating the planning and building application process for installation of photovoltaic panels and energy efficiency retrofits;
Developing a zero-waste program/policy;
Implementing a “Complete Streets” policy for arterial streets to encourage non-motorized mobility; and
Implementing an urban tree planting program for carbon sequestration.

In 2019, revisions to the CAP Implementation Plan (PDF) incorporated these key priorities. The updated implementation plan addresses responsible City departments, costs, schedules, and specific CAP tasks.

Sustainability Advisory Committee webpage