The City of Beverly Hills Climate Action & Adaptation Plan

9021zero Emissions

Welcome to the City of Beverly Hills Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) project website! We know better decisions are made when our community provides input and we want to make that easy. Contribute your ideas and take the opportunity to help the City develop a roadmap to meet our climate goals and increase resilience to climate change hazards. We’re excited to hear from you!

California legislation has established science-based targets for Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction intended to avoid more significant impacts related to climate change. Legislation requires that California reach the following GHG emissions reduction targets:

• • Reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (a target established by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, also known as Assembly Bill (AB) 32). California reached this goal in the year 2016.
  • Reduce GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (a target established by Senate Bill (SB) 32)
  • Achieve statewide carbon neutrality by 2045 (a target established by Executive Order B-55-18)

In the long term, the CAAP will also help achieve multiple community goals such as providing cleaner energy, reducing air pollution, supporting local economic development, and improving public health and quality of life.

What is climate change?

Climate change is driven by the human contribution of certain gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases, commonly known as greenhouse gases or GHGs, absorb and re-emit heat that has been discharged from the Earth’s surface. This works to trap heat near the earth’s surface, increasing the natural greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases from human activities have been collecting in the atmosphere since the 1800’s and are warming the climate more and more every year. This rise in average temperatures across the globe affects precipitation patterns, the severity of wildfires, the prevalence of extreme heat events and droughts, and more. Without reducing our GHG emissions, our climate will continue to change.

Beverly Hills is expected to experience increased climate hazards as a result of climate change. These include more extreme and frequent rains and hotter days. This is expected to increase the City’s susceptibility to regional drought conditions, wildfire, and localized flooding. Air quality is also expected to worsen as a result of higher temperatures and more frequent wildfires.

Can Beverly Hills make a difference?

Although climate change is a global problem, it is important that communities like Beverly Hills drive the change needed from the local level. Because cities usually have control over how they build, use land, and set up transportation systems, they are an essential part of the climate solution. Plus, many actions cities take to lower their climate impacts have other positive benefits for their communities, like improving public health, saving money, and protecting ecosystems. Already, we can see that many cities across the nation have committed themselves to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change. Only so much can be done at a national or even global level; localized changes are imperative for reaching our collective long term climate goals.

Is Beverly Hills taking action on climate change now?

The City has been taking steps to lower its local contribution to climate change well before the City started preparing a CAAP in early 2021. In recent years, the City has implemented policies, programs, and capital investment to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. Below are some examples. To see more details about these initiatives, visit the Project Resources page.

• • The City has increased the availability of renewable electricity through the Clean Power Alliance. The City is defaulted at 50% renewable electricity for all electrical customers. There is a 99% citywide participation rate to renewable electricity.
  • The LED streetlight replacement project replaced approximately 5,800 lights with energy-efficient LED fixtures. The project has currently saved 65% in energy and 69% cost savings compared to 2018 baseline numbers.
  • The City installed 1596 PV solar panels at the Civic Center Parking Structure. The system has produced 4.4 GWh of electricity to offset the use in the library and police station. The amount of electricity produced is equivalent to removing 3100 metric tons of carbon emission and 132,000 gallons of gasoline from the environment.
  • The majority of the city-owned fleet is fueled by renewable compressed natural gas, renewable diesel, electricity, and low emission fuel.
  • Adopted the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) that provides a water reliability plan and actions towards water conservation.
  • Adopted the Integrated Water Resources Master Plan that provides water resources planning to assure water reliability, provide alternative water resources, and water quality improvements.
  • Developing the Urban Forest Management Plan. (UFMP). The UFMP establishes steps to grow and maintain a healthy urban forest.
  • The City adopted the State’s Green Building Code, including energy and water conservation measures that go beyond the minimum requirements.
  • The City adopted a Hazard Mitigation Plan that demonstrates the City’s preparedness to managing the effects of hazards, including climate change and emergency events.
  • A broad array of recycling and conservation programs look to reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve water, save energy, reduce pesticide use, and many other steps to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all: http://www.beverlyhills.org/departments/publicworks/recyclingandconservation/web.jsp

Why is Beverly Hills preparing a CAAP?

Beverly Hills is preparing a CAAP to maintain the City’s high quality of life and economic prosperity. Beverly Hills wants to be a leader in making important and necessary changes to reduce local contributions to climate change. Our unique blend of residences and commerce in Beverly Hills presents opportunities to make effective change while protecting those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

How can you participate?

The process of preparing a CAAP can only be successful if you participate and provide your input. The City of Beverly Hills wants to hear from you! Please join us during the many community engagement meetings between now and the end of 2022 to provide your input. This page will be updated regularly, with upcoming events.  Visit the Participate page for more details.

A Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has been established to allow dedicated community members to participate in the detailed review and community input for the CAAP. The CAC will be thoroughly engaged in the CAAP development process, providing insight from various perspectives and recommendations to the City Council for the contents of the CAAP. For more information visit www.beverlyhills.org/ClimateCommittee

The CAC consists of 10 members from the various City Commissions and 5 community members appointed by the City Council. These members include: