HomeMy WebLinkAbout13709RESOLUTION NO. 13709
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY OF PUEBLO’S AFFIRMATION OF
THE GOALS OF THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD BY SIGNING ONTO AN
OPEN LETTER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE PARTIES
TO THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2017, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United
States from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, signed by 115 nations of the world; and
WHEREAS, President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement
drew immediate reaction from elected officials, including big-city mayors and governors who
vowed to pursue climate policies without the federal government; and
WHEREAS a broad coalition of local and state elected officials, university and business
leaders has stepped forward to reaffirm U.S. local community leadership in affirming the goals of
the Paris Climate Accord; and
WHEREAS, renewable energy resources have been shown by a wide range of studies to
be the most cost-effective and stable future sources of power generation for the City of Pueblo;
and
WHEREAS, transitioning to 100% renewable energy will align the City of Pueblo’s carbon
emissions with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement; and
WHEREAS, on February 13, 2017, the City of Pueblo affirmed its commitment to achieve
100% renewable energy sources for the City by 2035; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1:
The City of Pueblo resolves to co-sign the Open Letter to the International Community and
the Parties to the Paris Agreement from U.S. state, local and business leaders affirming the goals
of the Paris Climate Agreement, and committing to work together as local communities to take
forceful action to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions.
SECTION 2:
The officers and staff of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and all acts
consistent with the intent of this Resolution to effectuate the policies and procedures described
herein.
SECTION 3:
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval.
INTRODUCED: June 26, 2017
BY: Ray Aguilera
City Clerk’s Office Item # Q-1
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 26, 2017
TO: President and Members of City Council
CC: Sam Azad, City Manager
VIA: Gina Dutcher, City Clerk
FROM: Larry Atencio, City Council Member
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY OF PUEBLO’S AFFIRMATION OF THE
GOALS OF THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD BY SIGNING ONTO AN OPEN
LETTER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE PARTIES TO THE
PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT
SUMMARY:
Attached is a Resolution declaring the City of Pueblo’s commitment to the goals of the Paris
Climate Agreement through its Co-Sponsorship of an open letter to the International Community
and the Parties to the Paris Climate Agreement
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On February 13, 2017, the Pueblo City Council Passed and Approved Resolution No. 13612,
establishing a vision for the City of 100% Renewable Energy by the year 2035. Progress toward
accomplishment of this Resolution brings the City of Pueblo into alignment with the national and
international goals of the Paris Climate Accord. The present action simply proclaims this
alignment in concert with hundreds of other communities across the nation.
BACKGROUND:
This resolution is consistent with the City’s resolution of a vision of 100% renewable energy by
2035. A copy of the letter is attached.
There are no binding commitments on the part of the City as a result of passage of this resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not Applicable for this Resolution
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Not Applicable for this Resolution
ALTERNATIVES:
There are several parallel campaigns designed to reinforce local government’s commitment to
the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. Mayors for 100% Clean Energy
(http://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/mayors-for-clean-energy) is a sub-set of the Sierra Club
Ready for 100 campaign, in which the City of Pueblo already participates. The program is for
cities who have not yet committed to 100% renewable energy, and 99 mayors (as of June 16,
2017) have signed on to Mayors for 100% Clean Energy.
The Mayors’ National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA) or “Climate Mayors” (http://www.climate-
mayors.org/paris-agreement-adoption-toolkit/) has nearly 200 mayoral members. There are no
binding commitments for Climate Mayors members, but cities must commit to pursuing actions to
achieve an emissions reduction target through: 1) Developing a community Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) inventory; 2) Setting near- and long-term targets to reduce emissions; and 3) Developing
a Climate Action Plan aligned with the city's targets, commitments that go beyond the scope of
this resolution.
open letter to the international community and
We are recommending affirmation of an
parties to the Paris Agreement from U.S. state, local, and business leaders
(). This
http://wearestillin.com/ statement was coordinated by a broad coalition of mainstream
organizations, including The American Sustainable Business Council, B Team, Bloomberg
Philanthropies, Center for American Progress, Ceres, CDP, Climate Mayors, Climate Nexus, C40,
C2ES, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Georgetown Climate Center,
ICLEI, National League of Cities, Rocky Mountain Institute, Second Nature, Sierra Club, The
Climate Group, We Mean Business, and World Wildlife Fund. There are currently 1,219
signatories (including 125 cities), and the letter focuses on highlighting the leadership role of local
communities in addressing climate change and the goals of the Paris agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution.
ATTACHMENT:
Letter to the International community and parties to the Paris Climate Agreement.
• Lily of
1 City Hall Place
fai Pueblo, Colorado 81003
(719)553-2669
CnIOrrian
(719)553-2697(FAX)
June 26, 2017
To the International Community and Parties to the Paris Agreement:
We, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, are joining forces for the first time to declare
that we will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.
In December 2015 in Paris, world leaders signed the first global commitment to fight
climate change. The landmark agreement succeeded where past attempts failed because it
allowed each country to set its own emission reduction targets and adopt its own strategies for
reaching them. In addition, nations — inspired by the actions of local and regional governments,
along with businesses — came to recognize that fighting climate change brings significant
economic and public health benefits.
The Trump administration's announcement undermines a key pillar in the fight against
climate change and damages the world's ability to avoid the most dangerous and costly effects
of climate change. Importantly, it is also out of step with what is happening in the United States.
In the U.S., it is local and state governments, along with businesses, that are primarily
responsible for the dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. Actions by
each group will multiply and accelerate in the years ahead, no matter what policies Washington
may adopt.
In the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities, colleges and universities and
businesses representing a sizeable percentage of the U.S. economy will pursue ambitious climate
goals, working together to take forceful action and to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader
in reducing emissions.
It is imperative that the world know that in the U.S., the actors that will provide the
leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges
and universities, investors and businesses. Together, we will remain actively engaged with the
international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to well below 2° C and to
accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and
health.
Respectf
Stephen G. Nawrocki Ed Brown
Councilman At-Large Councilman District
President of the City Council Vice-President of the City Council
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Ray AguJera awrence Atencio
Councilman District 4 Councilman District 2
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Councilman At-Large Councilman District 1
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Councilwoman At-Large