In August of 2007, the City Council adopted a resolution in support of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. As with the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the City pledged to establish a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal and develop an action plan to achieve that goal. To measure our greenhouse gas emissions, the City utilized assistance from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). The City also hired a full-time Environmental Programs Manager to coordinate these efforts and work with the Environmental Task Force to develop a local climate action plan.

Climate Action Plan
One of the first steps in accomplishing the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was to calculate the emissions generated from government operations; this is also known as determining our City’s carbon emissions footprint. The year 2005 was chosen as the baseline year to maintain consistency with other local jurisdictions which have already completed an emissions inventory to allow for like comparison. The total emissions reduction goal was set to achieve approximately 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

This inventory is the critical first step toward reducing the City’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions because it highlights the largest sources of municipal emissions, identifies trends in emissions, and provides a baseline from which to evaluate the success of future changes. Staff utilized input from the Environmental Task Force to develop a Municipal Climate Action Plan (PDF) for the City.

The next Milestone in the Climate Protection Campaign is to form a Local Climate Action Plan covering community wide greenhouse gas emissions.
City Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

• The City of Manhattan Beach pledged to cut carbon emissions at least 15% below 2005 levels by 2020;
• Joined ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability and conducted a baseline emissions inventory and developed reduction goals;
• Formulated a resident-based environmental task force;
• Hired a full-time staff member to reassess greenhouse gas emissions;
• Joined the Energy Leader Partnership program and reduced municipal energy use by over 25%
• Increased purchase of alternative fuel vehicles; and
• Developed Energy Conservation Practices for City staff.

To meet the emissions reductions goal the City may consider:

• Increased use of energy-efficient lighting and solar powered applications
• Energy conservation to reduce the amount of pollution generated
• Expand Alternative fuel usage (Hydrogen, Bio-Diesel, LNG, CNG, Electric)
• Alternative fueled vehicles for outside contractors
• Consider supporting the development of green sources of energy

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