CAP+Case+8


 * Kansas City - Climate Protection Plan 2008** [[image:Cover_Cap_Case_8.jpg width="245" height="328" align="right" link="http://www.marc.org/environment/airq/pdf/CP-Plan-7-16-08.pdf"]]

//Who did it//: In August 2006, the Mayor and City Council, City Manager and Chief Environmental Officer decided to create and develop a community wide climate protection plan. By October 2006 the Mayor had appointed an 11-member Steering Committee to oversee the planning process.

Other stakeholders involved:


 * Businesses
 * MARC staff
 * Environmental Management Commission
 * Environmental & other Non-profit organizations
 * Neighborhoods
 * EPA, State of Missouri, Jackson County, & City staff

//What they did (and when)//: Work Groups were created in November 2006 to develop suggested action plans in specific areas:
 * Energy
 * Transportation
 * Carbon Offsets and Waste Management
 * Policy and Outreach

In April 2007 Kansas City adopted Phase 1 of the Climate Protection Plan, and created four Working Groups to develop recommendations for the Steering Committee regarding government goals:


 * Consider list of possible actions & suggest additional ideas
 * Evaluate GHG reduction estimates for various actions
 * Make recommendations to Steering Committee regarding actions to be included in KC Climate Protection Plan

In July 2008, Phase 2 was created and consisted of two Working Groups convened to produce recommendations for community-wide action and objectives.


 * Develop a baseline inventory
 * Establish a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal
 * Prepare an action plan to achieve the GHG reduction goal
 * Work Groups, comprised of over 60 volunteers, spent eight months developing recommendations for GHG emission reduction measures
 * To create policies & actions to reduce GHG impacts of current & future building stock ( residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and governmental)
 * Create public education & outreach leading to empowerment of citizen action

//Why they did it//:
 * To reduce GHG emissions by 30% below year 2000 levels by 2020;
 * To reduce community-wide GHG emissions was set at 80% below year 2000 levels by 2050, with focus on a long-term outlook to become a climate neutral city.
 * Make climate protection/GHG emission reduction a key factor in all decisions & actions by City
 * To save the City money
 * To reduce vehicle-based emissions and VMT through alternative fuels, public transportation, energy-smart vehicles, telecommuting, ride-sharing and transit-oriented design
 * To increase energy efficiency and to increase generation through renewable energy sources
 * To create innovative design, constructions, rehabilitation and maintenance of buildings

//Results/outcomes/successes/failures/lessons learned//: Climate protection is an ongoing process, and progress must be periodically evaluated. Kansas City should, in several years – and perhaps every two to three years thereafter -- evaluate the actions recommended here.

Individual measures and strategies for reaching GHG emissions reduction goals include urban forestry, infill and form-based code planning, LEED principles in the construction and rehabilitation of buildings, waste reduction, energy efficiency, development incentives, and planning for mass transit and encouraging alternative transportation.

Information updates on the status of the Plan can be obtained from Dennis Murphey, Chief Environmental Officer, City of Kansas City, Missouri. Ph 816.513.3459 dennis_murphey@kcmo.org