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Climate Action Plan Summary Purpose The Town of Los Altos Hills Preliminary 2025 Climate Action Plan(CAP)presents a set of community- generated strategies to guide the Town and its residents in reducing greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions consistent with state goals for addressing California's contributions to rapid climate change.In 2006, California enacted AB 32,the Global Warming Solutions Act,which requires that GHGs be reduced to 1990 levels statewide by 2020.Local communities are encouraged to reduce GHGs 15%below 2005 levels by 2020 and must address climate change effects in general plans and project environmental reviews.The CAP strategies are aimed at reducing the Town of Los Altos Hills's GHG emissions 30% below 2005 levels by 2025,while providing tools for addressing GHG emissions of future developments. Climate Change Science GHGs are defined as such gases that trap heat in the atmosphere,a phenomenon known as the "greenhouse effect."The natural occurrence of these gases produces a natural greenhouse effect. Scientific evidence from numerous studies indicates that human activities are producing atmospheric concentrations of GHGs that are much higher than the naturally occurring GHGs in the atmosphere.The result is the phenomenon commonly referred to as climate change,which is characterized by unusual changes in global weather patterns and temperatures,changing frequencies and intensities of droughts and floods,and rising sea levels.Without a concerted effort to reverse current trends,global temperatures are expected to increase by 3.2 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit,causing sea levels to rise 7 to 23 inches by the end of the century.The primary GHGs are carbon dioxide(CO2),methane(CH4),and nitrous oxide(N20). Others include hydrofluorocarbons(IVCs),perfluorocarbon(PFCs),and sulfur hexafluoride(SF6).For more information about climate change science and climate change planning,see: ■ U.S.Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/climatechange ■ State of Califomia: www.climatechange.ca.gov Purpose of the Climate Action Plan This Climate Action Plan(CAP)presents a set of strategies formulated to guide the Town and its residents in reducing Los Altos Hills' contributions to global greenhouse gas(GHG)emission consistent with state goals. Specifically,the strategies are aimed at reducing community GHG emission by 2025 to a level that is 30%below Town of Los Altos Hills' 2005 GHG level.Adoption of this plan demonstrates Town of Los Altos Hills commitment to helping reduce the effects of rapid climate change. Climate change is a global issue,but local governments and the communities which they represent are uniquely capable of identifying the most effective ways of addressing major sources of GHG emissions within their own jurisdiction.The CAP provides a community-based policy framework to address community-wide GHG emissions sources.The CAP strategies also provide many co-benefits that will contribute to a healthier community. This plan is designed to: ■ Translate objectives and quantified goals into a realistic,understandable set of actions; ■ Demonstrate that significant reductions in GHG emissions are attainable through local actions; ■ Inspire community members to work collectively to achieve these reductions; Town's GHG Reduction Target and Strategies The foundation for the CAP was prepared by the Town's Environmental Initiatives Committee.The report includes detailed GHG emissions calculations and identifies Town of Los Altos Hills 2025 GHG reduction,commonly measured as Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent(MT CO2e).The CAP's approach to GHG reduction was developed using input from community meetings.The approach is aimed 1 Resolution 92-16 Page 3