Sustainable San Rafael participated in the development of and supports San Rafael's Climate Change Action Plan 2030. The plan establishes targets similar to the State’s goals to reduce GHG (greenhouse gases) to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Sustainable San Rafael regularly weighs in on local policy decisions that impact our ability to reach for these goals. We submit our recommendations on key policy decisions via letters to City and County officials. Feel free to borrow language from us and make your voices heard in support.
Sustainable San Rafael regularly weighs in on local policy decisions that impact our ability to reach for these goals. We submit our recommendations on key policy decisions via letters to City and County officials. Feel free to borrow language from us and make your voices heard in support.
City Council's Three-Year Strategic Plan, FY 2025-28
June 1, 2025
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: City Strategic Plan
Letter looks forward to additional detail in the work plans that the staff report indicates are the next step to implementing these goals. It urges that the work plans include the following specific actions to achieve these goals in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the City's 2030 and 2045 targets and to prepare for ever more intense climate impacts
1. Electric Vehicle Adoption Strategy
2. Building Electrification Roadmap
3. Organic Waste Composting
4. Alignment of Tree Ordinance with General Plan 2040
5. Sea Level Rise Preparedness Plan:
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: City Strategic Plan
Letter looks forward to additional detail in the work plans that the staff report indicates are the next step to implementing these goals. It urges that the work plans include the following specific actions to achieve these goals in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the City's 2030 and 2045 targets and to prepare for ever more intense climate impacts
1. Electric Vehicle Adoption Strategy
2. Building Electrification Roadmap
3. Organic Waste Composting
4. Alignment of Tree Ordinance with General Plan 2040
5. Sea Level Rise Preparedness Plan:
| ssr_city_strategic_plan_letter_6_1_25.pdf |
GHG Emissions and Climate Action Priorities
September 15, 2024
To: Mayor and San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: GHG Emissions and Climate Action Priorities
Sustainable San Rafael urges the city in this letter to redouble its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach the City's stated goal for 2030. We urge the City's commitment to providing leadership and resources to reduce GHG by 40% of the 1990 levels, to put us on a solid trajectory to reach net zero emissions by 2045. We are not currently on such a trajectory.
Our letter further outlines specific steps the City can take based on the City's own GHG inventory and plans already developed. It's clear where to cut emissions to reach the 2030 goal. And the City has the plans to guide it and many of the tools to use. The Climate Change Action Plan 2030 (CCAP) sets useful
subgoals for the major types of emission.
The EV Acceleration Strategy adopted last year and the Electrification Roadmap due this fall address reductions amounting to over 90% of our carbon footprint. The Climate Action Priorities
before you this meeting are solidly based in these three plans. Given the need to redouble efforts for the remainder of this decade, we suggest that next year's 2-year Climate Action and
Budget Priorities include quantified measures for achieving the GHG reductions needed each year.
To: Mayor and San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: GHG Emissions and Climate Action Priorities
Sustainable San Rafael urges the city in this letter to redouble its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach the City's stated goal for 2030. We urge the City's commitment to providing leadership and resources to reduce GHG by 40% of the 1990 levels, to put us on a solid trajectory to reach net zero emissions by 2045. We are not currently on such a trajectory.
Our letter further outlines specific steps the City can take based on the City's own GHG inventory and plans already developed. It's clear where to cut emissions to reach the 2030 goal. And the City has the plans to guide it and many of the tools to use. The Climate Change Action Plan 2030 (CCAP) sets useful
subgoals for the major types of emission.
The EV Acceleration Strategy adopted last year and the Electrification Roadmap due this fall address reductions amounting to over 90% of our carbon footprint. The Climate Action Priorities
before you this meeting are solidly based in these three plans. Given the need to redouble efforts for the remainder of this decade, we suggest that next year's 2-year Climate Action and
Budget Priorities include quantified measures for achieving the GHG reductions needed each year.
| ssr-letter-on-ghg_inventory-and-climate-priorities.pdf |
General Plan 2040 Progress Report
March 1, 2024
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: General Plan Progress Reports (item 6.a)
To meet City and State goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in the next six years and to net zero emissions in the next twenty years, early implementation of the robust climate actions in General Plan 2040 are essential.
We want to highlight a number of early actions noted in the General Plan Progress Reports for 2023 and recommend prioritizing others in the upcoming fiscal year. Our recommendations focus on accelerating the following:
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: General Plan Progress Reports (item 6.a)
To meet City and State goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in the next six years and to net zero emissions in the next twenty years, early implementation of the robust climate actions in General Plan 2040 are essential.
We want to highlight a number of early actions noted in the General Plan Progress Reports for 2023 and recommend prioritizing others in the upcoming fiscal year. Our recommendations focus on accelerating the following:
- EV Acceleration Strategy (M-3.6A).
- Building Electrification (C-4.1D)
- Sea Level Rise Adaptation (NH-1.12A)
- Increasing the Tree Canopy (C-1.16A)
- Affordable housing in walkable neighborhoods
| ssr_letter_on_gp2040_progress_reports.pdf |
GHG Emissions and Climate Priorities
September 1, 2023
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: GHG Emissions and Climate Priorities (ITEM 6.A)
Sustainable San Rafael is pleased to see that the most recent estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions show that San Rafael is half way to the City's goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030, and continues on a trajectory to meet that goal, as well as the goal of net zero emissions by 2045, if the yearly rate of
reductions since 2005 can be sustained.
Sustaining the necessary rate of reductions will not be easy, and we appreciate that the City's proposed two-year Climate Action Priorities are focused on redoubling efforts to reduce the largest and most intractable remaining sources of climate pollution. These include:
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: GHG Emissions and Climate Priorities (ITEM 6.A)
Sustainable San Rafael is pleased to see that the most recent estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions show that San Rafael is half way to the City's goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030, and continues on a trajectory to meet that goal, as well as the goal of net zero emissions by 2045, if the yearly rate of
reductions since 2005 can be sustained.
Sustaining the necessary rate of reductions will not be easy, and we appreciate that the City's proposed two-year Climate Action Priorities are focused on redoubling efforts to reduce the largest and most intractable remaining sources of climate pollution. These include:
- Speeding the adoption of electrical vehicles which account for 60% of climate pollution
- Electrifying existing buildings which account for 25% of fossil fuel use
| ssr_letter_on_ghg___climate_priorities.pdf |
CLIMATE EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION
September 17, 2021
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Climate Emergency Mobilization
Sustainable San Rafael applauds the City's adoption of a strong Climate Emergency Declaration tied to specific actions needed in the near term to achieve statewide goal of zero net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045.
Our letter points to the strengths of the Declaration especially:
1) the call for the implementation of the Climate Change Action Plan 2030 through electrification, electric vehicle adoption, and mandatory organics recycling, among other actions,
2) adoption of the State's 2045 goal of zero net GHG emissions,
3) a clear commitment to enhancing equity and economic vitality with investments and policies to transition off fossil fuels,
4) proactive procedures for monitoring and funding, and
5) advocacy to other levels of government and economic institutions.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Climate Emergency Mobilization
Sustainable San Rafael applauds the City's adoption of a strong Climate Emergency Declaration tied to specific actions needed in the near term to achieve statewide goal of zero net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045.
Our letter points to the strengths of the Declaration especially:
1) the call for the implementation of the Climate Change Action Plan 2030 through electrification, electric vehicle adoption, and mandatory organics recycling, among other actions,
2) adoption of the State's 2045 goal of zero net GHG emissions,
3) a clear commitment to enhancing equity and economic vitality with investments and policies to transition off fossil fuels,
4) proactive procedures for monitoring and funding, and
5) advocacy to other levels of government and economic institutions.
| climate_emergency_ssr_letter_9_17_21.pdf |
ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN 2040, DOWNTOWN PRECISE PLAN AND SUPPORTING FINDINGS AND ORDINANCES
July 31, 2021
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: follow-up letter regarding Adoption of the General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan/Form-Based Code, and Environmental Quality Act Findings
This letter is a call to action to implement key sustainability components soon enough to achieve real progress. Focuses especially on the area of greenhouse gas reduction, the housing element, equitable economic development strategy, the downtown precise plan, as well as other San Rafael initiatives. Encourages the City to staff the programs adequately to make substantial progress.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: follow-up letter regarding Adoption of the General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan/Form-Based Code, and Environmental Quality Act Findings
This letter is a call to action to implement key sustainability components soon enough to achieve real progress. Focuses especially on the area of greenhouse gas reduction, the housing element, equitable economic development strategy, the downtown precise plan, as well as other San Rafael initiatives. Encourages the City to staff the programs adequately to make substantial progress.
| gp_2040_ssr_letter_7_31_21.pdf |
GENERAL PLAN 2040, DOWNTOWN PRECISE PLAN/FORM-BASED CODE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS
July 16, 2021
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan/Form-Based Code, and Environmental Quality Act Findings
We highlight the effective policies and actions now included in the plans and environmental documents for San Rafael's General Plan 2040 and Downtown Precise Plan. At the same time, we identify areas where more commitment is still needed. Effective policies and actions include concentrated housing and commercial development near transit, and the implementation of programs that achieve significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, such as building electrification, EV infrastructure and promotion, and mandatory organics recycling.
Our organization remains disappointed that the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) did not specify similar solutions as mitigations to the greenhouse gas impacts it identifies. The letter discusses the EIR projections.
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan/Form-Based Code, and Environmental Quality Act Findings
We highlight the effective policies and actions now included in the plans and environmental documents for San Rafael's General Plan 2040 and Downtown Precise Plan. At the same time, we identify areas where more commitment is still needed. Effective policies and actions include concentrated housing and commercial development near transit, and the implementation of programs that achieve significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, such as building electrification, EV infrastructure and promotion, and mandatory organics recycling.
Our organization remains disappointed that the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) did not specify similar solutions as mitigations to the greenhouse gas impacts it identifies. The letter discusses the EIR projections.
| gp_2040_ssr_letter_7_16_21_w_chart.pdf |
GHG EMISSIONS REPORT AND CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN PRIORITIES UPDATE
May 17, 2021
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
re: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Report and Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) priorities update
We celebrate with the City the achievements towards reduction of GHG emissions so far while also redoubling commitment to the challenges still ahead. Together, we have brought down GHG emissions by 25% in the last ten years. At the same time that means we need to reduce another 25% in the next ten years to meet San Rafael's CCAP (Climate Change Action Plan) 2030 goal while staying aligned to the State, US and UN goals. To stay on course to meet Drawdown Marin's countywide goal of zero net emissions by 2045, we need to adopt and implement several priority strategies recommended in the CCAP priorities update: especially Zero Emission Vehicles (priority #1), Mandatory Organics Recycling (priority #2), and Building Electrification (priority #5).
To: San Rafael City Council
From: Sustainable San Rafael
re: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Report and Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) priorities update
We celebrate with the City the achievements towards reduction of GHG emissions so far while also redoubling commitment to the challenges still ahead. Together, we have brought down GHG emissions by 25% in the last ten years. At the same time that means we need to reduce another 25% in the next ten years to meet San Rafael's CCAP (Climate Change Action Plan) 2030 goal while staying aligned to the State, US and UN goals. To stay on course to meet Drawdown Marin's countywide goal of zero net emissions by 2045, we need to adopt and implement several priority strategies recommended in the CCAP priorities update: especially Zero Emission Vehicles (priority #1), Mandatory Organics Recycling (priority #2), and Building Electrification (priority #5).
| ccap_priorities_5_17_21_ssr.pdf |
COMMENTS ON DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR GENERAL PLAN 2040 AND DOWNTOWN PRECISE PLAN
April 5, 2021
To: San Rafael City Council and San Rafael Planning Commission
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Comments on General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan, and Draft Environmental Impact Report
The fact that Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) finds that the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of the General Plan 2040 are "significant and unavoidable" is a wake-up call for San Rafael to increase its actions to reduce climate change. The Draft EIR project a 20% reduction of GHG (from 2019 levels) by 2040 while acknowledging that a 60% reduction would by then be required to meet state law.
This letter challenges the conclusion that these impacts are unavoidable. We suggest language to be added to the General Plan that will drive mitigation of these impacts. They include: 10 year updates to the plan to adjust program to assure implementation of GHG goals, reduction of natural gas use through building electrification, and development of a Zero Emission Vehicle (Zev) plan with a goal of 25 percent of passenger vehicles in San Rafael being Zevs by 2030 and 60% by 2040, and implementation of a mandatory community-scale program for community composting. Further details included.
To: San Rafael City Council and San Rafael Planning Commission
From: Sustainable San Rafael
Re: Comments on General Plan 2040, Downtown Precise Plan, and Draft Environmental Impact Report
The fact that Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) finds that the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of the General Plan 2040 are "significant and unavoidable" is a wake-up call for San Rafael to increase its actions to reduce climate change. The Draft EIR project a 20% reduction of GHG (from 2019 levels) by 2040 while acknowledging that a 60% reduction would by then be required to meet state law.
This letter challenges the conclusion that these impacts are unavoidable. We suggest language to be added to the General Plan that will drive mitigation of these impacts. They include: 10 year updates to the plan to adjust program to assure implementation of GHG goals, reduction of natural gas use through building electrification, and development of a Zero Emission Vehicle (Zev) plan with a goal of 25 percent of passenger vehicles in San Rafael being Zevs by 2030 and 60% by 2040, and implementation of a mandatory community-scale program for community composting. Further details included.
| gp_ssr_comments_4_5_21.pdf |
NONPROFIT NEEDED TO ACCELERATE REDUCTION OF MARIN'S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS "DRAWDOWN" MARIN
December 4, 2020
To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marin Climate Action Network (MCAN)
Re: Need for Nonprofit to Accelerate Reduction of Marin's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This letter supports the need to form a nonprofit to focus on the community-wide campaign to dramatically reduce Marin’s greenhouse gas emissions, formerly known as the "Drawndown Marin" plan.
We also urge that the ‘roadmap’ showing how to achieve net zero GHG by 2045 be further refined to include numbers for both sequestration and GHG emission reductions, among other recommendations.
To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marin Climate Action Network (MCAN)
Re: Need for Nonprofit to Accelerate Reduction of Marin's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This letter supports the need to form a nonprofit to focus on the community-wide campaign to dramatically reduce Marin’s greenhouse gas emissions, formerly known as the "Drawndown Marin" plan.
We also urge that the ‘roadmap’ showing how to achieve net zero GHG by 2045 be further refined to include numbers for both sequestration and GHG emission reductions, among other recommendations.
| mcan_letter_re_ddm_sp._12_4_20.pdf |