(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Columbia City Council unanimously adopted the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) by policy resolution at the Monday, June 17 City Council meeting.
The Plan was created to be a framework for action to meet emission reduction goals the City Council adopted in August 2018. The Mayor's Task Force on Climate Action and Adaptation Planning was created to work with City staff and community members to develop the CAAP.
"The adoption of this Plan reaffirms that we take climate change seriously. We are actively working towards a better tomorrow because climate change has a direct impact on insurance losses and premiums, our infrastructure and economic competitiveness," Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said. "I am proud of the work and intersectionality of the Task Force. They provided a tangible framework and roadmap for moving forward."
Community involvement was integral to the Plan’s development. All residents were invited to attend community meetings and complete two online surveys to provide their feedback. In the fall survey, 83% of participants said "It is important for Columbia to take immediate action to reduce GHG emissions" and 86% said "It is important for Columbia to take action to prepare for climate change."
"Columbia has always been a city with a vision for the future," Task Force Chair Jay Hasheider said. "By adopting a Climate Action Plan we are simply following in those same footsteps."
Using Columbia’s 2015 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions survey as its baseline, the Plan aims to reduce emissions by 50% in the City’s municipal operations by 2035 and 100% by 2050. The Plan proposes to reduce emissions by 35% communitywide by 2035, 80% by 2050 and 100% by 2060. This communitywide target is broadly accepted by other cities across the globe and aligns with the Paris Agreement.
Community members can learn more about the efforts and track progress through the website:
comoclimateaction.comThe City of Columbia Climate Action & Adaptation Plan is attached.
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