National Capital Region Climate Change ReportPresentation for the Potomac Watershed Roundtable

Stuart A. FreudbergDirector, Environmental Programs

Metropolitan Washington Council of GovernmentsJanuary 9, 2009

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What is COG?• COG is a voluntary, regional

organization of Washington area local governments. Formed in 1957.

• COG is composed of 21 local governments surrounding our nation's capital*• 250 elected officials in total

• 135 staff in 4 departments• Transportation • Environment • Public safety and Health • Community Planning and Services

• http://www.mwcog.org/

*plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Population ~ 5 million

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COG Board Action April 11, 2007

• R31-07 creates COG Climate Change Steering Committee to:

Prepare regional inventory of greenhouse gases Identify best practices and policies Examine climate change impactsRecommend regional greenhouse gas reduction goal(s)Recommend committee structure for climate change

initiativePropose advocacy positionsPrepare recommendations report

to COG Board

COG Board Action April 11, 2007

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Climate Change Steering Committee

• 18 members– Primarily elected officials from the District of

Columbia, Maryland and Virginia local governments

– State environmental representatives from Maryland, Virginia and DC

– Regional transit agency (METRO), Greater Washington Board of Trade

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Greenhouse gas emissions inventory 2005-2050Best Practices ReportEmission reduction goals for 2012, 2020, 2050Federal/state advocacy Draft Report July 9, 2008Listening July 9 – Sept. 30Final Report Adopted November 12, 2008

Major Accomplishments

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Best Practices GuideHIGHLIGHTS:

• Over 2/3 of local governments in the region purchase renewable energy

• Over 1⁄2 of the jurisdictions have adopted energy efficiency measures

• Nearly 90% of the communities in the region have embarked on transit oriented development and over 80% have “walkable community” initiatives

• About 70% of communities have green space protection and green infrastructure programs

• All communities in the region have recycling programs.

Download at: http://www.mwcog.org/store/item.asp?PUBLICATION_ID=321

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I. Getting Smart on Climate ChangeClimate Change, Potential Impacts on Region;Current & Projected Regional Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory; Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

II. Taking ActionEnergy Consumption; Transportation and Land Use; Economic Development; Preparing for Impacts, Financing; Outreach and Education.

III. Moving ForwardCOG Climate Change Program

IV. Reference Information

Climate Change Report

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Global CO2 Emissions Since 1752

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Measured Temperature Changes in Chesapeake Bay Surface Waters

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Milder Winters, Much Hotter Milder Winters, Much Hotter SummersSummers

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Sea-level Rise Vulnerability in DC Sea-level Rise Vulnerability in DC AreaArea

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

Total – 74 million metric tonnes in 2005

Source: MWCOG 2008.

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Example of Local Government Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Projections of Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 2005-2050

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Proposed Regional Reduction Goals2012: 10% Below Business as

Usual

2020: 20% Below 2005

2050: 80% Below 2005

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Improve Energy Efficiency/Reduce Energy Demand

Major Energy Recommendations

Develop Clean Energy Alternatives• Local Governments Purchase

20% Renewable Energy by 2015.

• Implement COG Green Building Policy

• Implement Best Practices to reduce local government energy use by 15% by 2015

• Promote energy efficient building codes

• Promote energy performance contracting/cooperative purchasing

• Remove barriers to renewable energy implementation.

• Explore energy audit and retrofit program.

• Promote energy efficient street lighting.

• Collaborate with utilities on regional energy conservation program.

• Advocate for rate structure that rewards conservation investment.

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Major Transportation Recommendations

Increase Fuel Efficiency and Clean Fuel Vehicles

Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

• Adopt Regional Green Fleet Policy

• Implement incentives for high mileage and alternative fueled vehicles

• Support California Low Emission Vehicle Standards

• Plan for alternative fuel infrastructure (natural gas, hybrid-electric, hydrogen)

• Explore state/regional alternative fuels standard.

• Collaborate with TPB on:

• “What Would it Take?” Analysis

• Regional planning process for reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions

• Invest/expand transit use and infrastructure

• Expand commuter options

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Major Land Use Recommendations

Smart Growth/Comprehensive Planning

Tree Canopy Preservation

• Promote transit-oriented development and concentrated growth

• Establish Transit-oriented development as the region’s preferred growth strategy

• Evaluate benefits from directing up to 95% of new development to activity centers

• Prepare plan to meet goal of increased tree canopy in region.

• Integrate greenhouse gas analyses into comprehensive planning and new capital projects

• Develop standard methodology for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from proposed individual development projects

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Developing a Plan to Increase Tree Canopy

Current Situation and Challenge

• 1.3 million acres of forest and grassland in the National Capital Region

• Sequesters approximately 4.1 million metric tons of CO2 annually

• Annual loss of forested land occurring now• Significant additional future loss of land possible

(>200,000 acres by 2030?)• Region in nonattainment with federal ozone standards• Recognition that enhanced urban tree canopy can

improve air quality

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Increase in Developed Land within the COG WMA

12.2%13.8% 15.1%

17.8%20.4%

32.6%

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20

25

30

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PRE-1986

1990 1996 2000 2006 2030

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Additional Recommendations

Adaptation• Research best practices to

prepare for effects of climate change.

• Partner with universities to research climate change and adaptation strategies.

• Develop a regional climate adaptation plan to assist localities with vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, and emergency preparedness.

• Conduct adaptation workshops with major infrastructure agencies (wastewater, water supply, stormwater, transportation)

Outreach and Education• Implement regional public

education campaign• Develop partnerships with private

sector and other organizations.

Financing and Economic Development• Develop Regional Carbon Offset Fund

for preserving tree canopy• Promote cooperative regional green

purchasing.

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Next Steps

• 2009 Tasks–Develop Plans to Meet 2012 and

2020 Goals• Identify Priority initiatives for 2009

–Convene Policy Workgroup to Develop Recommendation for Federal/State Legislative Sessions

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COG Board Action April 11, 2007

• To obtain an electronic copy of the final report:http://www.mwcog.org/store/item.asp?PUBLICATION_ID=334

• Questions?– Stuart A. Freudberg, COG Environmental Director

• sfreudberg@mwcog.org, 202/962-3340

For further information…