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El Cerrito Climate Action & Adaptation Plan

The City of El Cerrito is developing our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and we need your feedback!

This comment period is now closed – thank you to all who provided feedback on El Cerrito’s draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan!

We're happy you're here! The City of El Cerrito began developing the CAAP in early 2023. This CAAP will be a planning document that builds upon the City’s initial Climate Action Plan and provides a roadmap of strategies and actions for reducing our community’s greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

We are now in the final phase of the CAAP’s development, and we are looking for community feedback on the draft plan. The City will lead implementation of the actions in this plan, but success will depend on collaboration and buy-in across El Cerrito’s community.

Please provide your feedback by April 1, 2024.

To learn more, visit http://el-cerrito.org/ClimateActionPlan. If you have questions, please email City of El Cerrito Assistant to the City Manager, Will Provost, at WProvost@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us, or Management Analyst, Christina Leard, at CLeard@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

 

Your review will help ensure that the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan reflects our community’s priorities.

  • Share your feedback by reading through the draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan or navigating to areas of interest using the blue icons to the left.
  • Click anywhere in the document to leave a comment or ask a question. Select a yellow bubble to view and respond to other comments.
  • Take the short “Guided Tour” to visit each of the key sections of the CAAP.
  • Para leer el resumen ejecutivo en español, haga clic AQUÍ. 点击这里读中文执行摘要。

Want to provide your input by email instead? Send comments back to Christina Leard at CLeard@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
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in reply to Paul Duncan's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:59PM on page 35

Suggestion
The point of this is not necessarily to immediately electrify all loads on food trucks, but instead to eliminate the use of wasteful, inefficient, noisy and polluting gasoline electric generators and instead use clean grid power for the loads on food trucks (and other portable pop-up activities) that are already using electricity. The city's role here to is facilitate the availability of grid electricity in the public right of way (sidewalks and parking ares, etc.), so that food trucks and other uses can access clean grid electricity and avoid costly and polluting gas generators.
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:52PM on page 36

Suggestion
Agreed, Anything worthy of being in the plan should have much more committed intention than just "explore," otherwise there isn't really much hope of meeting the target goals.
0 replies
in reply to Paul Duncan's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:46PM on page 53

Suggestion
When electric rates are high it is very cost effective to use solar power and storage to reduce usage from the grid and avoid paying those high prices. The life cycle cost of heat pumps (including ytpically lower operating costs) can be highly competitive, especially considering the strong rebates and incentives that are available.
0 replies
in reply to Paul Duncan's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:34PM on page 58

Suggestion
Pool heating with heat pumps is feasible and it is an important application, as the pool is the largest user of of natural gas in the City facilities. This needs to be planned ahead to avoid an expedient replacement like for like when there is an acute failure.
0 replies

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:31PM on page 58

Suggestion
And other building materials with high embodied carbon
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:29PM on page 59

Suggestion
Managing to avoid refrigerant associated GHG emission should be an early focus of the plan especially while ramping up the use of heat pumps. There do not need to be fugitive refrigerant emissions, but if we don't make an effort to avoid that possible impact we can undo some of the benefits of installing heat pimps. There needs to be good best practice information/education to choose low GWP refrigerants and avoid practices that are susceptible to leaks.
0 replies
in reply to HGoudey's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:19PM on page 62

Suggestion
If annual, many of these measures are more than 10% of the total consumption inventory (17MTCO2e/person) identified in this plan. That seem pretty high for some of these measures?
0 replies

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:10PM on page 62

Suggestion
Absolute numbers can be compared to each other here, but they are harder for the general reader to put into context of total emissions. It would be helpful to express these as percentages of the typical consumption emission inventory presented in this plan.
1 reply
in reply to Fred Bialy's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 11:06PM on page 62

Suggestion
Yes, is this annual savings, or savings over the entire plan time horizon? It is not stated here or in the appendix J
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 10:54PM on page 15

Suggestion
If done, the comparison of electric GHG emissions to gas needs to be clear how dramatically lower the electric GHG emissions are. For MCE electric power serving 90+% of El Cerrito, the GHG emissions are about 1/10 of the average CA electric GHG emissions and about 1/30 the emissions of burning natural gas for the Light Green default MCE product. MCE's Deep Green electricity essentially has no GHG emissions.
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 9:56PM on page 41

Suggestion
The bike station that is planned as part of the Plaza BART station project is an important opportunity to provide more than just bike parking. We need to start now to plan on taking advantage of the opportunity to create a full service bike station that truly advances bicycle services and community in El Cerrito, including a social bike cafe, bike parking, bike and parts sales and repair, rentals, e-bike trials and more.
0 replies
in reply to Stuart Sonatina's comment

Stuart Sonatina Apr 1 2024 at 9:23PM on page 10

Whoops! I see it's in the "accomplishments" section.
0 replies

Stuart Sonatina Apr 1 2024 at 9:22PM on page 10

Question
This feels like an easy move. Why hasn't it been done yet?
1 reply
in reply to Henry Pinkard's comment

Stuart Sonatina Apr 1 2024 at 9:20PM on page 10

Suggestion
Agreed. Let's replace the eucalyptus with Redwood again!
0 replies

Nicholas Genova Apr 1 2024 at 7:17PM on page 33

Question
What kind of deep green energy investments are proposed within City of El Cerrito. Have any resource studies been developed to understand what resources are the best fit? The Department of Energy can be used as resource for feasibility studies and get input from all stakeholders.
0 replies

Nicholas Genova Apr 1 2024 at 7:14PM on page 7

Question
Has the City thought about partnering with the federal government to get grants and other forms of financial assistance to increase cleaner energy generation sources. I work for the Department of Energy and can be used as a resource. Please feel free to reach out.
0 replies
in reply to Fred Bialy's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 4:08PM on page 15

Suggestion
Also, explaining that there are refrigerants with lower GWP and that choices about the heat pump you choose (unitized vs site built) and the refrigerant itself are important to reduce the likelihood of refrigerant related emissions.
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 3:55PM on page 11

Suggestion
It isn't entirely fair to say nothing is far from anything else in El Cerrito. If we want to transform into more walkable city, with vibrant neighborhood activity, and rely less on transportation of any type, we need more highly distributed resources. Otherwise, we are just replacing cars with bikes and e-bikes in an environment that evolved around cars, which will always be a compromise for some activities and users. Indeed street safety is paramount, but if you want to have less congestion and parking challenges for bikes or any other kind of vehicle, more distributed destinations at a shorter distance will help. It remains to be seen if our economy of scale (Costco style) economic system can support small distributed businesses again, but it seems worth a try and something like micro-commercial opportunities distributed in neighborhoods in the form of an innovative Accessory Commercial Unit (ACU) model, might be the most economically viable approach that also democratizes commercial operation and reduces the sole reliance on large operators like those in EC Plaza.
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 3:16PM on page 11

Suggestion
Car shares are great, but there needs to be a holistic evaluation and prioritization of public right of way uses, including parking. Operators like Gig, as well as dockless and docked bike/scooter shares, etc. have largely enjoyed a subsidy in the way they use the public right of way. That may be appropriate in some cases, or at least to get started, but it needs to be clear that this isn't indefinite and that all users of the public right of way need to contribute proportionally to their impact.
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 2:59PM on page 11

Suggestion
A large portion was influenced by state policy (fuel emission standards, etc.), but the City joining MCE made a very large impact on reducing GHG emissions in the time period between 2005 and now, because the use of renewable power for electricity increased dramatically for 90% of El Cerrito electric accounts.
0 replies
in reply to Dan Schulman's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 2:48PM on page 11

Suggestion
There is no commercial zoned land throughout the residential portions of the city and it would be very expensive to convert. We need something innovative like a zoning allowance for commercial ADUs (rather ACUs) on residential lots. That could enable the creation of low key, lower cost, distributed commercial activity in the neighborhoods. Also it would support home/local jobs.
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 2:36PM on page 11

Suggestion
Indeed, but unfortunately the limited interests of private investment often end up compromising the City's best intentions for design standards like those in the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan. Many projects have had required elements of the SPASP waived or diminished to accommodate the economic context of private development. Public open space, private open space, green space, larger unit size and variation have all been under-delivered compared to the intentions of the plan.
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 2:24PM on page 7

Suggestion
Climate literacy education should be required in the curriculum at many grade levels. The City should leverage its Climate Emergency declaration to advocate for this curriculum change in the School District.
0 replies
in reply to HGoudey's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 2:20PM on page 7

Suggestion
Paid parking broken into small incremental segments will provide a strong incentive to drive smaller vehicles and enable accommodating parking more vehicles in a limited space. Parking spaces are not the highest use of the public right of way and we should reduce the space devoted to that purpose to enable other more active and rewarding uses, while making better use of the smaller space that is used for parking
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 2:10PM on page 7

Suggestion
Agreed. An important part of this is a radical change in the design of streets to make them far less car-centric and instead center pedestrians and bikes of all ages and abilities, as well as other micro-mobility options. The current complete streets approach is not nearly bold enough. We cannot afford the cost or embedded GHG emissions to do recurring incremental street improvements. We need to commit to an early, bold and durable transformation of how we get around the city. Non-car based local travel is an important part of local business use and development. It is part of establishing a culture shift that you do not need to leave the city for most things
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:59PM on page 6

Suggestion
The City declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. This plan is the focal effort to address the Climate Emergency in the City. It has already taken 5 years just to get to the point of adopting a plan. We do not have time to go slower than other leading communities. We should be meeting or exceeding the State and Oakland, so we should proceed with adopting a plan consistent with scenario 3.
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:51PM on page 6

Suggestion
State, Federal and local actions are not this distinct. There are overlapping responsibilities. It is misleading to have a hard lines and the City should take more responsibility for seeing that State and Federal actions have optimal effect locally
0 replies
in reply to Pamela Austin's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:37PM on page 6

Suggestion
Yes, the later goals are very challenging. We need an aggressive early head start, which means a stronger early goal.
0 replies

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:35PM on page 6

Suggestion
It is misleading to suggest that such a small contribution is attributable to local action. Even the Federal and State actions will require significant local action to implement effectively. We cannot be complacent that other jurisdictions will do most of the work for us. It is our local responsibility to see that all these actions are implemented and come to fruition effectively in the community.
0 replies
in reply to Fred Bialy's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:31PM on page 6

Suggestion
Agreed. This is further supported by the State target. If we were using the 1990 state baseline instead of 2005, our target would be more like 50% below 2005, which is also consistent with the federal target
0 replies
in reply to HHayashi's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:23PM on page 5

Suggestion
Indeed. Consumption GHG emissions are very strongly correlated to income/wealth. This should be explicitly mentioned and given the quantitative context of typical differences between emissions of those with different income/wealth in the US, as well as around the world. A community like El Cerrito is above average for the US and way above average for the world. This needs to be acknowledged and help motivate a greater responsibility to address GHG emissions.
0 replies
in reply to HGoudey's comment

HGoudey Apr 1 2024 at 1:10PM on page 5

Suggestion
If there is any double counting between the consumption and community inventories, it should be explicitly acknowledged and identified/quantified as accurately as possible.
0 replies

J Pham Apr 1 2024 at 11:16AM on page 47

Suggestion
In all city property, please add that no use of synthetic chemical herbicides will be used. The use of harmful, often cancer-causing chemicals affects not only the workers who apply them and surrounding communities but pollutes water and is additionally detrimental to ecosystems, which do in fact affect human health. Please incorporate IPM plans.
0 replies
in reply to Paul Duncan's comment

J Pham Apr 1 2024 at 11:09AM on page 47

Suggestion
Absolutely agree. Trees being planted must have maintenance plans that are funded well into the future. Trees planted with no actual maintenance plans become dying trees that must be removed in the future, also a cost. Focus on maintenance of keeping city trees healthy now.
0 replies
in reply to Paul Duncan's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 4:03AM on page 47

Agreed, a more robust and comprehensive public guide could be useful. One that incorporates zones for plants to do well, as well as fire-scaping zones, plants that may be considered good for defensible fire-scaping, and layouts that explain proper distancing, native plants that may/may not be child-pet friendly, how big plants get (so a baby free oak tree given away at Earth Day is not planted next to the foundation of a building etc.). Plants that are edible/medicinal, all could be useful and beneficial to promoting multiple initiatives. A good resource, org to partner with may be University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (UCANR) or their Master Gardeners program etc... Maybe even consult UC Berkeley's Fire Ecology Lab to help put out the most updated research to the public.
0 replies
in reply to HHayashi's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:57AM on page 46

Some additional services trees also may provide with their deeper root systems, include erosion control for all our sloping hillsides, moisture retention (to encourage growth of other plant species that serve our green economy such as pollinators that produce foods we eat), water absorbtion that brings ground water deep down and can help prevent flash floods after long periods of drought, serve as a filter in slowing down pollutants/trash particles and concrete runoff from overwhelming drainage systems and ultimately slowing debris from flowing into the local creeks, rivers, streams to the ocean...
0 replies
in reply to Gary Prost's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:51AM on page 46

It seems trees may be an integral part of a plant community, enabling the system to thrive and regenerate. California grasslands with oaks and their deep and far reaching root systems to hold in and distribute water (an intricate system we never see) have been some native habitats that have been promoted. Also would say it doesn't have to be trees, just to encourage public to scape with vegetation and minimize concrete to offset urban heat island effect and rising temperatures. May be good for city to develop communications in promoting the ecosystem services and green economy, that trees and native ecosystems and biodiversity offer -- from enhancing public health, to creating making more attractive environments that bring businesses, investors, and visitors to appreciate the natural beauty. Environmental enhancements could be quantified to show direct correlation with which target goal, to show how the effort benefits and improves the community.
1 reply
in reply to Gary Prost's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:41AM on page 32

Not so much addressing the trees here, but vegetation in general: For those in high-fire-hazard zones, would green native and climate adaptive walls and roofs (and rooftop sprinkler systems) be more realistic? Also, with denser urban areas, perhaps more public gardens (roof, walls, landscapes) for native plant/pollinator/food production and community development (using public buildings and centers to lead as example, the library, city hall). Anything to minimize concrete, mitigate urban heat island effect, promote literally greener building/architecture
0 replies
in reply to Gary Prost's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:35AM on page 23

Very valid concern
0 replies

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:33AM on page 18

For food, is there a number we can discuss on food loss and waste? And the energy/economic impacted/consumed to dispose at the city level?
0 replies
in reply to Mark Miner's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:29AM on page 18

Suggestion
Great idea, University of California Healthcare systems also have a GreenHealth program, and this would be a good way to partner/incorporate climate change impact on public health concerns. More on the UC system "Making healthcare more sustainable" statement: link
0 replies

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:27AM on page 18

Suggestion
Opportunity to working with local communities to promote sustainable traditional ecological knowledge systems as it pertains to food systems, re-introducing native habitat/environments that are also climate adaptive and resilient -- and also provide food for wildlife and humans.
0 replies
in reply to Mark Miner's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:23AM on page 18

Question
Exploring sustainable [agri]food systems, including food deserts (and this how it ties into transportation issues involving getting items from grocery store) would be good. Also, looking at a lot of other nearby initiatives addressing equity and climate justice, such as Planting Justice and Sogorea Te' Land Trust. How can we support local small-scale farmers/producers while enhancing/restoring ecosystems and native habitat, advocating for our local indigenous communities, re-wilding while promoting economic growth and development?
0 replies

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:16AM on page 17

Question
Does this tie into reducing heat island effect and assist with rising temperatures?
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:11AM on page 13

Equity and Climate Change is inextricably tied to Greenhouse Gas Emissions sub-section. The carbon emissions list reflects these disparities; clearly showing carbon footprints are not evenly distributed (i.e. one international flight vs. months/years of driving from work to get groceries).
0 replies
in reply to Paul Duncan's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 3:01AM on page 11

This raises a great point, in that the accessibility/walk-ability rating for the public transportation systems/built environment may require a deep[er] dive into equity, as there is a growing population -- whether due to age, physical health, safety/crime areas etc. -- whose mobility and access to essential stores/services may be[come] restricted, due to the topography.
0 replies
in reply to Melinda Pilling's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 2:51AM on page 7

Yes, best way is to engage/implement education and educational organizations, include youth, and local research institutes -- we have some of the best in the country tackling these issues on the daily as part of their scholarly research and innovation agenda
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 2:49AM on page 7

This could be a great opportunity to work with local business/entrepreneurs, gaining buy-in and providing incentives for all to provide innovative solutions on how to reduce carbon footprint while still promoting economic growth/hindering development
0 replies
in reply to Dan Schulman's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 2:47AM on page 7

Good point, the onus is placed on the citizens, whereas there are definitely areas where enhanced transportation infrastructure could benefit this goal. Some solution/pathways to promote local business and economic development, while not having those services involve increased driving/deliveries etc. would be helpful.
0 replies
in reply to Steve Price's comment

HHayashi Apr 1 2024 at 2:42AM on page 7

Agreed, would be good to hear what Economic Dev Committee comments
0 replies
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