FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 28, 2020

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO With a new year on the horizon, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloriaannouncedthe release of the Citys2020 Climate Action Plan Annual Report, whichillustrates the Citys continued progress towards the ambitious goal of halvinggreenhouse gas (GHG)emissions by 2035.According to the report, the city achieved a 25% reduction in GHG emissions, relative to the 2010 baseline.

San Diego has taken significant steps toward meeting our Climate Action Plan goals with the implementation of San Diego Community Power and adoption of policies like Complete Communities but we know we can and must do more, Mayor Gloria said. This year, weve seen how drastic shifts to the status quo are possible. Were going to continue to create a cleaner, greener city for future generations andensure that efficiency and equity are front and center.

The fifth annualreportdemonstrates thatCity has reached the halfway point sooner than anticipated, but bold new action will be necessary to meet targets for zero waste, transportation emissions, and building efficiency. This report reflects reductions achieved in 2019 and does not include impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Keyfindings in thereport:

• 20.3% job growth in CAP-related sectors form 2010 to 2019, adding 24,156 new jobs throughout San Diego.
• 64 newly installed electric vehicle charging stations.
• 1,045 trees planted and over 25,000 maintained.
• Zero-net energy projects completed at three libraries: Point Loma/Hervey, Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa and Valencia Park/Malcolm X.
• The City purchased its firstelectricstreetsweeper.
• 19new electric vehicles were added to support the Citys generalpurposefleet.

"This annual report shows how we, as a City, are working to advance climate action in a way that gives our historically marginalized communities a seat at the table while also creating opportunities for good jobs and innovation," said Erik Caldwell, Chief Sustainability Officer and Sustainability Director."Looking ahead, we'reupdating the 2015 Climate Action Plan to create a path forward focused on equity and environmental justice, to align with state goals forzero carbonby 2045, and to incorporate the additional benefits of climate action."

San Diego leads the nation as one of the largest U.S. cities to adopt aClimate Action Plan, that set goals to achieve 100% renewable energy citywide and zero waste. Alongside community partners, the City has also developed the first-of-its-kindClimate Equity Index, to better understand access to opportunity in San Diegos Communities of Concern with a locally driven tool.

As part of the Citys plans to harness renewable energy sources by 2035,San Diego Community Power(SDCP)will be delivering power to its first customers in 2021. SDCP provides more local control over San Diegos energy landscape.

This year the City shifted many of its engagement efforts to a digital format, including the releaseofthe Climate Action Plan update survey, which wasmadeavailable from April through November 2020.Itaskedmore than1,700San Diegans how they prioritized varioussustainableactions, and what barriers they faced.The survey resultsshowedthat cleanandrenewable energy and mobility were considered to be the most important strategies to reduce the Citys GHG emissions.City staff is continuing to engage with stakeholders and the public to shape updates to the Climate Action Plan.

Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said:

Every person in every community has the right to clean air, safe water, and a healthy neighborhood with open space. Unfortunately, our climate is rapidly deteriorating the result of decades of decisions that allowed for unchecked industrial activity and disastrous land useandenvironmental policies. The Climate Action Plan is the City of San Diegos workplan for fighting environmental degradation and protecting the communities most impaired by its effects. Although we have made significant improvements as a City this past year, there is clearly more work to be done, especially for communities of color. As Chair of the San Diego City Councils Environment Committee, I look forward to working with my Council colleagues, non-profit partners, and the public to achieve the goals of the Climate Action Plan, create quality green jobs, and to address the deep-rooted pain of environmental racism in our communities.

NicoleCapretz,Climate Action CampaignExecutive Director,said:

"The CAP is one of the most consequential documents ever passed in the city of San Diego. It is the roadmap for how we reduce carbon emissions and transition off dangerous fossil fuels in order to safeguard our future.It is also the path to a just and equitable new clean energy economy. While the city has made progress in its implementation, the city has a long way to go to fulfill promises made to the community five years ago. We look forward to partnering with Mayor Gloria and the City Council to go farther, faster and craft a groundbreaking Zero Carbon Climate Plan in 2021."

Eddie Price,San DiegoUrban Sustainability Coalition CommunityPresident and CEO;AlternativesWorkforce Development Officer, said:

Having been involved in this historic legally binding piece of legislation for a number of years and experiencing the commitment to equity and equalitybeing shown by the City of San Diego, I applaud the City for being a leader in this ever evolving space. To attempt to understand the humility involved to understand the difference between equity and equality as it pertains to Communities of Concern and seek to achieve both is truly is legislatively honorable, in word and deed. The opportunities of this ambitious Climate Action Plan will mean a healthier lifestyle as well as a shift in the economic paradigm in Communities of Concern.

###