Recommendation 20250226-005 - Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program — original pdf

Recommendation

Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20250226-005 Date: February 26, 2025 Subject: Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program Motioned By: Charlotte Davis Seconded By: Anna Scott Recommendation The Austin Climate Equity Plan sets the goal that Austin will achieve net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and more action is urgently needed to meet this goal. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends including any appropriate policy changes that align with the goals and strategies of the Austin Climate Equity Plan in the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program action list before finalizing it. Some policies that the commission recommends including are: 1. Waive permitting fees for food venders that serve mostly a pro-climate/pro-health, plant- based, high fiber menu and/or use compostable packaging. 2. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) should institute policy changes to increase use of recycling and composting and reduce contamination for ARR customers and those subject to the URO. For example, contamination fees (which ARR has already researched) are a useful tool. 3. Adopt a policy to require all events on city property (including streets) to provide co- located composting, recycling and landfill trash receptacles, with staff to assist event participants. 4. Adopt a pro-climate/pro-health and plant-based food default policy for all City of Austin food purchasing. Furthermore, the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends the following edits and additions to the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program action list. 1. “Rebates for electrical upgrades” should include enhanced/increased rebates for LMI customers. 2. Fund direct person to person community outreach to promote and expand the utilization of City of Austin sustainability incentives with a focus on LMI communities as well as small businesses. Vote Record: 12-0 Yes: Charlotte Davis, Haris Qureshi, Kaiba White, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Marissa Bell, Lane Becker, Melissa Rothrock, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Anna Scott, Chris Campbell, Rodrigo Leal No: N/A Absent: Yure Suarez, Natalie Poindexter, Amy Noel, Ben Luckens, Alberta Phillips Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Staff Liaison