AGN. NO._____

MOTION BY SUPERVISORS BURKE AND YAROSLAVSKY OCTOBER 7, 2008

There is consensus among the world’s leading scientists that global warming is likely to pose severe environmental, health, and economic threats if we do not take decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Identified and credible threats due to climate change include prolonged and frequent heat waves that will increase our exposure to air pollution, exacerbate respiratory ailments and burden our healthcare system, and changing weather patterns that will increase our susceptibility to droughts and endanger our critical water, energy, transportation, and sanitation infrastructure. Moreover, the changes we make to address global warming will have the concomitant benefits of reducing other forms of air pollution in our region and reducing our dependence on foreign-oil.

To address this important challenge, the Board of Supervisors has adopted firm programs and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the County

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MOTION BY SUPERVISORS BURKE AND YAROSLAVSKY

OCTOBER 7, 2008

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unincorporated areas as well as those caused by County operations. Specifically, the County has committed to reducing energy consumption in County buildings by 20% before 2015 and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050. Beyond these worthwhile benchmarks, the County and other jurisdictions, businesses, and utilities in California face a number of new State mandates to similarly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to more than 25% by 2020.

The County can meet these mandates and achieve its policy goals most effectively if we work cooperatively with other public agencies, the business community, academia, labor, and environmental and community groups. The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability provides this framework by bringing leaders together to:

- In order to comply with AB 32, establish a regional inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and develop an action plan to efficiently and effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

- Achieve cost savings for partnering agencies through regional education forums, tools and trainings, and green procurement pools.

- Share information and best practices on climate change and sustainability goals.

- Develop a consistent communication plan for informing stakeholders in the Los Angeles region of the urgency in addressing global climate change and reducing

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MOTION BY SUPERVISORS BURKE AND YAROSLAVSKY

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greenhouse gas emissions.

- Leverage State and Federal resources, including energy block grants, to pursue greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

While this Collaborative is still in an early stage, County staff has worked with the aforementioned stakeholders to design a nimble network that will be positioned to provide essential guidance and coordination to meet our evolving sustainability goals.

WE THEREFORE MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

Authorize the Chair to sign the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability Charter and instruct the County Energy and Environmental Policy Team, and other staff as appropriate, to support and participate in this worthwhile effort.

WE FURTHER MOVE THAT THE BOARD:

Encourage other local jurisdictions and key stakeholders throughout Los Angeles County to formally participate in this Collaborative.

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(YBB:KK:ec LA Regional Collaborative Motion 100708)