Annapolis, MD Participation in Climate Protection Campaign

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 10/9/06

Source File: http://www.ci.annapolis.md.us/upload/images/government/council/Adopted/R4406.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. R-44-06
FOR the purpose of approving the participation of the City of Annapolis in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and that the City of Annapolis will undertake the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign’s five milestones to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout the community.

WHEREAS, The City of Annapolis is a full member of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability; and

WHEREAS, ICLEI has initiated the Climate Protection Campaign and invites all of its members to participate so that they may reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, scientific consensus has developed that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth’s climate; and

WHEREAS, in 2006 the U. S. National Climatic Data Center confirmed clear evidence of human influences on climate due to changes in greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, the American Geophysical Union adopted a statement noting that human activities are increasingly altering the Earth’s climate and that natural influences cannot explain the rapid increase in near-surface temperatures observed during the second half of the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, in 2001 the National Academy of Sciences reviewed and declared global warming a real problem caused in part of the actions of humankind; and

WHEREAS, the 2001 Third Assessment Report from the International Panel on Climate Change and the 2000 U. S. Global Change Research Program’s First National Assessment indicate that global warming has begun; and

WHEREAS, 162 countries including the United States pledged under the United Nations Framework Convention on climate Change to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, energy consumption, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, accounts for more than 80 percent of U. S. greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for local government, its businesses, and its residents; and

WHEREAS, the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign sponsored by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability has invited the City of Annapolis to become a partner in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis, Maryland, will participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and, as a participant, pledges to take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis will undertake the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign’s five milestones to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout the community, and specifically:

• Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the jurisdiction;

• Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;

• Develop an action plan with both existing and future actions which when implemented will meet the local greenhouse gas reduction target;

• Implement the action plan; and

• Monitor and report progress; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City of Annapolis requests assistance from ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign as it progresses through the milestones.