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Plan Goals & Timeline
Learn more about the Climate Plan development process, goals, and the planning timeline.
As part of the Flagstaff City Council's goal to take meaningful climate action, City staff will work with community members, local businesses, and partner institutions to develop Flagstaff's first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
The Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan will:
- Be a community plan, informed by the input and priorities of Flagstaff residents.
- Help Flagstaff residents, neighborhoods and businesses prepare for and adapt to changes in our climate.
- Set goals to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while providing community benefits.
- Identify actions that will save money, protect community assets, and ensure quality of life amidst change.
- Be unique to Flagstaff's unique economy, indigenous and scientific communities, and climate.
- Be developed from a foundation of equity and the enhancement of community well-being.
- Encourage action by the City, businesses, institutions, non-profits and residents.
This list was developed by a group of stakeholders who were interested in crafting the plan, who met this spring. This group developed goals for how we engage Flagstaff residents, incorporate different types of information, and make this plan unique to Flagstaff.
To learn more about what Climate Action and Adaptation Plans are, you can view resources online.
Why is the Climate Plan being developed now?
- Projected changes in temperature, snowpack, severe storms, and wildfire risk could threaten Flagstaff infrastructure, natural resources, and public health. By taking action to reduce the city's emissions and prepare for climate risks, the Flagstaff community will position itself to be ahead of the curve and protect the health and well-being of its citizens and economies.
- Climate action and preparedness can lead to significant benefits for a community. A Plan will help us to better understand the return on investment of climate action and the potential opportunities that can be created.
- The plan will build on past efforts to establish a clear road map of priority actions and projects to be completed in the short- and long-term. A community conversation is necessary to broaden climate efforts and help direct on-the-ground project implementation funding.
The Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan was adopted by Flagstaff City Council via resolution on November 20th, 2018.
The City of Flagstaff, led by the Sustainability Program, is now taking action to implement the Climate Plan, reduce Flagstaff's greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for and adapt to climate change risks, and ensure all communities benefit from strong climate action.
| Month | What is Implemented |
|---|---|
| Spring 2017 | City staff began working with community members to learn what they wanted out of a Climate Plan, to develop a Scope of Work for the planning process. |
| August 2017 | We formed a Steering Committee of community members and City staff to guide the development of the Climate Plan. |
| October 2017 | City Council approved a contract to engage Cascadia Consulting to provide technical expertise on climate science and adaptation and community engagement experts. |
| November 2017 | Work on the Plan officially began. |
| December 2017 | We created a Community Engagement Strategy to set a strategic direction for how we will work with community members to get input on this plan. |
| January 2018 | We hosted our first Community Open House and Flagstaff Community Forum in January. The Planning team is now writing the first drafts of the Plan using this feedback. |
| March 2018 | The Climate Profile (PDF) details historic climate patterns trends in Flagstaff and Coconino County, and lays out what climate change in Flagstaff could look like in the future. |
| April 2018 | Steering Committee members proposed goals and strategies to meet our mitigation and adaptation goals. Our first Spring Open House was held at Earth Day on April 21st. |
| May 2018 | A second Spring Open House was held on May 2nd. |
| June 2018 | Plan development continued to incorporate public feedback from the Open Houses. Goals, strategies and actions were refined. |
| July 2018 | A summer Open House will be held in mid-July. |
| July to August 2018 | We'll edit the plan according to public comments to prepare for Plan draft. |
| September to October 2018 | A draft Climate Plan was made available for public comment. |
| November 2018 | The final Climate Plan draft was presented to the Flagstaff City Council for consideration for adoption. |
The City of Flagstaff - and others throughout the Flagstaff community - have been taking steps to reduce our collective impact for many years. Read below for some of the projects that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient Flagstaff.
- In 2006, City Council passed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement - a resolution establishing a policy to take cost-effective actions that benefit the community by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Sustainability Commission was established in 2007, and addresses issues related to climate and air quality, transportation, energy, solid waste, water and sustainable building practices.
- The City of Flagstaff Resiliency and Preparedness Study was created in 2012 to identify the risks that climate change poses to the City of Flagstaff operations and services. This study assessed the level of vulnerability, the degree of risk and the potential impacts of 115 of the City's critical operations that are already impacted by weather and recommends an overarching policy aimed to increase protection and resilience within government operations to hazards including fire,
severe winter storms, drought, floods, etc. - In 2014, City Council passed a resolution requiring that all occupied City-owned new construction and major renovation of existing facilities, including building additions over 10,000 square feet, achieve certification in the most recent version of LEED (Silver) or Green Globes (3 Globes) or Living Building Challenge (full certification).
- In the Fall of 2017, City facilities began receiving 272 kilowatts of renewable energy from Hoover Dam.
- The City currently holds power purchase agreements to purchase 1.2 Megawatts of renewable energy.
- 10 solar installations on City of Flagstaff facilities throughout the City produce renewable energy.
Current Work
- The Sustainability Section calculates and reports on Flagstaff's greenhouse gas emissions for the municipal organization and the Flagstaff community.
- The Water Conservation Program offers resources, tips and rebates to help Flagstaff residents reduce their water use. Since 1988, the water conservation program has helped customers reduce their water use by 50%.
- City Energy programs include energy rebates, which help Flagstaff residents purchase more energy efficient appliances and home equipment, Home Energy Efficiency Workshops, and resources to help residents reduce their impact.
- City Council recently adopted the Rethink Waste Plan, which guides the Sustainability Section in its work to make Flagstaff a leader in waste prevention and recycling. Waste programs include education, Master Recycler training, and programs to reduce food waste, which has significant greenhouse gas implications.
- Many Water Services Division projects relate to climate resiliency and reducing our climate impacts, including water resources planning, energy conservation, and water recycling.
Disclaimer
Neither the Climate program nor any of its partners endorse a particular business, company or any organization through the Climate Plan website. Neither the Climate program nor any of its partners make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility, for the businesses, organizations, products or processes identified or disclosed in the Climate Plan website.