Label
DPU061725CLIMATEACTIONPLAN
Department of Public Utilities
Dana Reising (x 2643)
Revised
Title
Adopting the City of Toledo Municipal Climate Action Plan as the Official Municipal Environmental Protection and Climate Resilience Plan; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
In 2022, the City of Toledo initiated a citywide sustainability program to address the various factors of climate change and environmental inequalities that affect our residents, businesses, and employees. The first task of the program was to develop an Environmental Protection and Climate Resilience Plan for municipal operations. The municipal operations focus of this initial planning document is intended to recognize how city operations and services impact the local environment, and identifies the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase waste diversion without placing unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers. It is critical for the City to provide accurate information and simple sustainability solutions to residents and businesses.
The firm Nutter Consulting was the selected consultant for the Municipal Climate Action Plan, and work began in July of 2024. The core planning team first reviewed previous plans related to sustainability that the City had adopted, and reviewed which projects and programs have already been implemented. The team also completed a greenhouse gas inventory for 2023 of municipal operations during this initial data gathering phase. Next, the team held two workshops for City staff. At the initial workshop, employees brainstormed strategies and methods to reduce the municipal carbon footprint. The second workshop focused on prioritizing actions for the City to take to complete the strategies.
The strategies are: 1) establish the Toledo City government as a leader in sustainable operations, 2) increase renewable energy and reduce energy use in city-owned properties and assets, 3) enable the use of low carbon modes of transportation, 4) reduce consumption and facilitate increased recycling and composting program participation, 5) conserve water resources and adapt land management practices for sustainable water use, 6) protect city employee health and wellbeing, 7) prioritize and expand local food systems, and 8) maximize ecosystem services on city property. By focusing our attention to these strategies, the City will be a leader in sustainability, as a well as a quality resource for residents wishing to lower their carbon footprint.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the City of Toledo Municipal Climate Action Plan, as on file with the Clerk of Council, be and the same is adopted as the official Municipal Environmental Protection and Climate Resilience Plan for the City of Toledo, Ohio.
SECTION 2. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary to ensure health, safety, and welfare of Toledo residents both current and future, and to prioritize climate action, climate resiliency, and sustainability principles within City of Toledo operations and governance.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council