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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2021
City of Kenmore Communications
communications@kenmorewa.gov
425-398-8900
Kenmore releases preliminary greenhouse gas report to determine reduction goals and upcoming development of the Kenmore Climate Action Plan
Kenmore, WA – On December 7, 2020, the Kenmore City Council and the public were introduced to the preliminary findings of an analysis measuring 2017 and 2019 greenhouse gas emissions produced by city government operations and the community. The reports and findings were developed since July 2020 alongside Cascadia Consulting Inc, who assisted with synthesizing the community data and developing a two-page summary for the community.
The emphasis of climate action came from the Kenmore City Council January 2020 goal setting retreat where they listed climate action as one of their top 5 priorities. In June, staff provided a plan to the City Council outlining a program to develop and implement a Climate Action Plan for the City of Kenmore. The program’s framework, which was developed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), includes five components:
- Conduct an inventory and forecast of local greenhouse gas emissions;
- Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;
- Develop a climate action plan for achieving the emissions reduction target;
- Implement the climate action plan; and,
- Monitor and report on progress.
Staff, with the assistance of Cascadia Consulting Group (Cascadia) and ICLEI, have completed Phase 1 of the program and the results of the greenhouse gas inventory and were discussed in the December 7 Council meeting, with City Council asking staff clarifying questions on the report. This work, to date, was only possible by providing additional staffing resources in 2020 by hiring Graduate Intern Adam Nebenzahl to do much of the leg work on program development and completion of Phase 1. In order to continue providing staff resources needed for this program, Kenmore City Council has authorized a 24-month part-time Administrative Specialist position to continue providing support for development and implementation of the Climate Action Plan through 2022.
Councilmember O’Cain, reflecting on the year, commended the staff and the City for what it has accomplished, stating “It’s incredible the progress the City of Kenmore has made on the Climate Action Plan this year. This city knows every action counts and that we are part of the whole. Incremental actions lead to big change. That’s why local governments and communities need to lead in this, the biggest challenge of our time. Our priorities matter and make a difference. I’m so proud to be a part of Kenmore it gives me hope for our future working with this incredible community.”
Developing and implementing the Climate Action plan with Phase 2 through 5 will continue into 2021 and beyond. Reduction targets are estimated to be announced in Q1 of 2021and plan development occurring during the rest of 2021.
Deputy Mayor Herbig emphasized the importance of continuing this implementation of the Climate Action Plan, saying “Climate change is the most important challenge of our generation. The development of a new climate action plan will enable all of us in Kenmore to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and help save the planet.” By early 2022, plan implementation will be underway and continuous monitoring of results will occur in the second half of 2022 and beyond.
