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Climate Action Plan
Overview
The Issaquah Climate Action Plan (ICAP) was born from community feedback to create a sustainable, livable Issaquah while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the local natural environment.
Plan development began in the Summer 2021 following Climate Convening meetings with the community and adopted by City Council in December 2021.
The ICAP is the culmination of analysis, best available science, community engagement and strategic problem-solving. The plan development involved community and stakeholder engagement to thoroughly ensure the adoption of a plan that meets Issaquah’s unique values and needs.
The plan is centered on taking bold action while ensuring accessibility, affordability and equity through strategies, goals, multi-benefit actions and metrics to drive success through implementation.
Focus Areas
- Overarching Climate Actions
- Buildings & Energy
- Transportation & Land Use
- Materials & Consumption
- Natural Systems & Water Resources
- Community Resilience & Wellbeing
This area focuses on reducing overall community greenhouse gas emissions. This is achieved through an emphasis on municipal leadership through reducing municipal emissions, regional collaboration and participation, and advocacy for state and federal climate policies. A priority of municipal leadership is local outreach and a strong emphasis on community involvement and education.
Targets
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to a 2007 baseline:
- 50% by 2030
- 75% by 2040
- 95% and net zero emissions by 2050
Anticipated Actions for 2022
- Implement Community Climate Challenge (OV1.1)
- Participate in regional partnerships (OV1.3)
- Support climate and sustainability education in schools (OV1.4)
- Develop a Climate Action page on our website (OV1.5)
- Electrify municipal fleet vehicles (early stage) (OV2.6)
- Implement bike share and carpool programs (OV2.7)
How You Can Get Involved
- Participate in the Community Climate Challenge launching in spring 2022!
- Provide feedback on our updated webpage! Future updates coming in Fall 2022.
- Advocate for bold climate legislation.
- Educate friends and neighbors in your community about climate action.
In Issaquah, 61% of our emissions are from energy use, making the Buildings & Energy action area critical to reducing our local emissions. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings through energy efficiency, electrification and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Targets
- 25% decrease in energy use (natural gas and electricity) in new and existing buildings communitywide by 2030 from 2017 levels.
- Net-zero GHG emissions in new buildings communitywide by 2030.
- Reduce natural gas and other fossil fuel use in existing buildings by at least 20% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, compared to a 2017 baseline.
- 100% renewable electricity by 2025 in municipal buildings
Anticipated Actions for 2022
- Develop energy efficiency outreach and incentive programs (early stage) (BE1.1)
- Conduct electrification outreach and offer incentives (BE2.1, BE2.3)
- Implement regional heat pump campaign (BE 2.2)
- Promote enrollment in PSE’s Green Power Program (BE3.3)
How You Can Get Involved
- Energy Smart Eastside: Heat pump Campaign
- Take advantage of electrification incentives identified through the upcoming Community Climate Challenge.
- Sign up for Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) Green Power Program.
- Consider at-home or community solar.
- Upgrade to electric, energy efficient appliances and heat pumps.
A third of Issaquah’s emissions come from transportation. Efforts around reducing these emissions focus on updating land use codes, increasing connectivity within Issaquah and spreading the availability of electric vehicle infrastructure. Goals and actions concerning transportation and land use largely correlate to the Mobility Master Plan.
Targets
- 15% increase in non-drive alone mode share from 2017 levels by 2030.
- 20% decrease in vehicle miles travelled (VMT) from 2017 levels by 2030.
Anticipated Actions for 2022
- Multiple actions related to Title 18 (land use code) update.
- Expand City owned EV infrastructure. (TL 3.1)
- Promote state and federal electric vehicle incentives. (TL 3.3)
How You Can Get Involved
- Participate in the public process to update Title 18 (land use code).
- Drive less by walking, biking, taking public transit, carpooling or teleworking when possible.
- If you need to drive, consider an electric vehicle, hybrid or more fuel-efficient model.
- Advocate for improved regional transit.
Currently, Issaquah’s solid waste disposal contributes to less than 2% of greenhouse gas emissions and 39% of waste is diverted from landfills. The Materials & Consumption action area strives to reduce community waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions from consumption and disposal of goods and materials.
Targets
- Increase percentage of waste diverted from landfills to 70% by 2030 and 90% by 2050.
Anticipated Actions for 2022
- Conduct recycling and composting outreach and education (MC1.1)
- Update municipal solid waste contract policies and programs (MC1.2)
- Support community reuse programs (MC2.2)
How You Can Get Involved
- Participate in solid waste and hazardous waste collection events! (Coming soon)
- Eat local, plant-based foods when feasible and prevent food waste.
- Compost food scraps.
- Reduce, reuse and buy second-hand.
- Recycle right – ensure your recyclables are clean, dry and empty.
Both the City and the community recognize the unique value of natural resources within Issaquah. The preservation and expansion of natural resources and green space was seen as a priority during community meetings. Areas of focus include expanding the tree canopy beyond 51%, improving local carbon sequestration, recreation, protection of waterways and preservation of vital habitats.
Targets
- 55% tree canopy coverage by 2035
Anticipated Actions for 2022
- Implement the Parks Strategic Plan (NS1.1)
- Incentivize expanding local carbon sequestration on private land (early stage) NS 1.2
- Update land use codes to prioritize tree retention and incentivize low impact development projects (through Title 18) (NS1.2, NS2.3)
- Implement Stormwater/Surface Water and Wastewater Master Plan (NS2.1)
How you can get Involved
- Sign up to volunteer with Green Issaquah!
- Landscape with native, drought-tolerant plans and consider using rain barrels to collect rainwater and irrigate.
- Conserve water at home and reuse greywater to irrigate or flush toilets.
- Plant new and maintain existing healthy trees.
Climate change brings unavoidable impacts, and the ICAP includes actions and strategies designed to increase community resilience through adaption and resource organization to support wellbeing. An emphasis of this action is the community’s ability to be prepared for climate emergencies.
Targets
- Emergency services can serve 100% of Issaquah’s population.
Anticipated Actions for 2022
- Complete a vulnerability assessment (CR2.1)
- Implement King County Wildfire Preparedness Strategy (early stage) (CR2.2)
How You Can Get Involved
- Participate in public meetings for development of the vulnerability assessment! (Coming soon)
- Prepare emergency kits for your home and car and identify nearby emergency service centers, hospitals and transit hubs.
- Build connections with your local community and support each other during emergencies.
- Prepare your home for hotter, smokey summers with ventilation and fans. Identify nearby cooling centers if your home does not have sufficient cooling.
Stay Connected
To stay connected on this project, subscribe to the “Sustainability” category via the City’s Notify Me tool.