Carbon Net-Zero ‘Achieveable’ in San Diego County, But Not Without Collaboration – NBC 7 San Diego

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San Diego County’s regulators were advised on Wednesday that plans to reduce the area’s carbon footprint to zero by 2035 are achievable but will require collaboration between local governments and multiple agencies.

After hearing from the public on Wednesday, Chairman Nathan Fletcher reminded that the San Diego regional decarbonization framework is a first draft and that the county has “many, many months” to go before adopting a formal plan.

In January, officials asked for the report when they voted to “pursue efforts to move the entire region – not just the unincorporated county in its jurisdiction – toward net carbon-free emissions,” a statement said in a statement of the district.

The effort requires the county to work closely with the region’s 18 cities and agencies, such as the San Diego Association of Governments.

The School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego is the lead group behind the first report to propose strategies to reduce regional carbon emissions to net zero levels by 2045 at the latest, equal to the carbon set in California in 2018 -Complies with neutrality target.

It concludes that local governments have become the de facto leaders in the race to reduce greenhouse gases “in the absence of meaningful international action”, saying they are “both in adapting to climate change and in the effort to be at the forefront of mitigating climate change ”.

Gordon McCord, assistant dean of the School of Global Policy and Strategy, told the board on Wednesday that “the spirit of the job is not to identify the one right path,” but to offer different options for implementing a plan.

Solutions could include locating renewable energy projects in Imperial County or Mexico, populating solar and more trees in urban areas, and protecting wetlands, he said.

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer said no matter what plan the county eventually approves, “there is no silver bullet, there is no perfect solution. Whatever we do, there will be compromises,” she added.

Vice-Chair Nora Vargas said she was pleased that climate justice was a factor in the plan, but said the county also needs to consider how to help people who work in traditional energy make the transition to greener jobs.

Supervisor Jim Desmond praised the presentation and said he agreed that the county needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We may have different ideas about how to get there,” Desmond said, adding that the county must weigh any plan against other vital interests, including agriculture and housing needs.

Supervisor Joel Anderson raised concerns about safety precautions to protect power sources during severe weather and other solutions, including wave technology, and emphasized local agriculture. Anderson said that while growing up in Detroit, Michigan, he saw the impact of job losses in the auto industry on families, and said they are still hindering economic recovery in that Midwestern city.

“I think no worker should be left behind,” he said. “I want the best solutions, I don’t want to be narrow-minded in our approach.”

During a public hearing that lasted more than an hour, environmental and worker groups also weighed up how the county should advance the decarbonization plan. Workers’ representatives questioned how many workers would move from more polluting to cleaner industries, while environmentalists urged managers to take immediate action.

Kelvin Barrios of Laborers Local 89 said the report offered no solution to job losses and higher energy prices would harm working families. Barrios said climate change is real, but jobs are also at stake.

“We think this report is awesome,” he added. “We want to be involved in the (process) and believe that we can find a better solution.”

Rick Bates, with Unite Here Local 30, suggested that the county set up a formal office to ensure that a fair job change occurs.

He added that careful coordination with union leaders “is still needed to ensure that no worker is left behind in the process,” Bates said. “If anyone can lead us to zero CO2, it is this board of directors.”

Karinna Gonzalez, policy advisor at Hammond Climate Solutions, said she hoped the draft report would serve as a model for other jurisdictions.

“We need strategies that will help us make meaningful progress,” said Gonzales, adding that residents are looking to the district leadership to ensure a future worth living.

Masada Disenhouse, executive director of San Diego350, said the county must execute the plan now, even if residents and businesses are temporarily affected.

“The framework has the potential to change our response to the climate crisis,” she added.

The report found the county is in the right position to lead the effort for several reasons.

First, it has a direct impact on reducing greenhouse gases in several areas, for example through its land use authority in non-incorporated areas.

It also indirectly influences elected officials across the county and, as a member of the San Diego Community Power, plays a role in the development and procurement of electricity.

It is also a voting member of several agencies and boards with powers over transit, water and air quality. These include SANDAG, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, the Metropolitan Transit District and North County Transit District, and the San Diego Regional Airport Authority.

According to the report, the three largest sources of emissions in San Diego are light trucks at 37%, electricity at 23%, and natural gas in buildings at 8%.

The report suggests several key objectives in efforts to reduce emissions, including:

– Move away from natural gas-powered electricity plants, more solar and wind turbines and potential modernization of transmission lines;

– Reducing the number of kilometers traveled and increasing the use of public transport; and

– To use electricity instead of natural gas to heat water and rooms and to use electric heat pumps instead of stoves and air conditioning systems.

In addition, the report states: “The simplest, most effective and cheapest solution is to continue to protect and preserve natural and agricultural land.”

The report was first published late last month and is expected to be completed in February. Secondary studies assessing the impact of decarbonization on jobs and reviewing climate policies and social justice across the region will complete the full report next August.

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