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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Attachment 1, CTA CharterClimate CTA Transformation Alliance CHARTER Establishment: The Founding Members who have endorsed the Charter hereby establish the Climate Transformation Alliance (CTA). The CTA is a regional public private partnership of local governments, special districts, community organizations, businesses, and individuals. The CTA is committed to the development of local policy and initiatives that will promote the resilience of the community and its physical and social infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and thereby advance the sustainable economic development of our region. Climate Context The greenhouse effect is a process that traps heat in the Earth's lower atmosphere. These naturally occurring gasses dispersed into the atmosphere determine the Earth's climate by trapping solar radiation and capturing heat that would otherwise escape into space. Scientific observation indicates that average air and ocean temperatures have steadily increased globally over the last 100 years. Scientific studies have demonstrated that human activities are accelerating the concentration of GHG emissions, which affects the global climate. The most significant contributor is the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation, which introduces large amounts of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions into the atmosphere. Collectively, these gases, primarily water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, intensify the natural greenhouse effect, causing global average surface temperatures to rise. According to the Sierra Nevada section of California's 4th Climate Assessment, the Truckee North Lake Tahoe region likely faces significant challenges associated with regional climate change. From record temperatures to proliferating wildfires and decreased snowpack, climate change poses an immediate and escalating threat to the region's environment, economic strength, and public health. The region is affected by more intense dry and wet periods under warmer conditions, which lead to extended and more frequent periods of drought and flooding. The total area in the region burned by wildfires increases in tandem with rising temperatures. As trees are stressed from higher temperatures and reduced water availability, they become more vulnerable to insects and pathogens, resulting in significant tree mortality. More intense atmospheric river storms and periodic shortages in runoff and water supply, as well as substantial changes in runoff patterns and timing, impact the region. This affects groundwater recharge as well as water supply in downstream communities. Climate change impairs healthy ecosystems. A healthy ecosystem provides cultural, social, and economic benefits that local communities rely on for agriculture, tourism, recreation, fishing, and other industries. Finally, as temperatures increase in other regions of California and the intermountain west, the "climate refugee" effect is beginning to impact our region, driving increased visitation during high heat events and driving changes in regional markets such as recreation and real estate. 0) Climate Context (Continued) Since 2005, the State of California has responded to growing concerns over the effects of climate change by legislatively adopting a comprehensive approach to mitigating emissions and adapting to climate change in the public and private sectors. In response to the impacts of climate change, many communities in California are taking responsibility for addressing emissions at the local level. Since many of the major sources of GHG emissions are directly or indirectly controlled through local policies, local governments have a strong role to play in reducing GHG emissions within their boundaries. Through proactive measures around land use, transportation demand management, energy efficiency, green building, waste diversion, and more, local governments can dramatically reduce emissions in their communities. California state climate policies encourage local governments and public agencies to develop even more effective solutions at the local level and provide funds to mitigate emissions and adapt to climate change. However, the goal of achieving truly substantial regional reductions in GHG emissions cannot be achieved by local governments alone. Achieving meaningful results will require a community wide effort that includes the private sector and individuals alike. California mandates and guidance on measuring and reducing GHG emissions include: • Executive order on California global warming impacts and targets (EO S-3- 05, 2005) • The California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32, 2006) and its successor bill (SB 32, 2016) • The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375, 2008) • The California Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act (SB 350, 2015) • Local government requirements for climate adaptation and resilience strategies (SB 379, 2015) • The California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan • The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (SB 100, 2018) and executive order to achieve carbon neutrality (EO B-55-18, 2018) All of the above legislation provides guidance and protocols for local governments to participate in the State's GHG reduction efforts. �•,••.•�.',••.',••.•�••.••. 3 Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles Vision The Truckee North Lake Tahoe region will be net carbon neutral by 2045 through a combination of GHG emissions reduction in the built environment and sinking or storing carbon in natural lands. Carbon neutrality will improve the environment, reduce the risk of wildfire, create new opportunities for innovation and business creation, diversify our economy, improve public health, equity and safety, and meet our commitment to steward the region for the benefit of future generations. Mission • To work together to define an on -going agency and community collaboration focused on reducing regional GHG emissions and speeding the ability of the community to address the potential future impacts of climate change • To engage in a process to conduct joint data aggregation, fact finding, policy analysis and public education, in order to increase agency and public understanding about climate and climate related issues • To identify, explore, and encourage interim projects that partners and/or private interests may participate in • To explore opportunities for obtaining funding from public and private sources, including state and federal programs and granting agencies, to implement projects that will reduce GHG emissions, or assist the community with adapting to the impacts of climate change • To communicate to stakeholders and the public about the actions of the partners to meet regional GHG emissions reduction and climate adaptation goals .-• .- wtipN .. - •-3 - Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles (Continued) Guiding Principles Participants in the Charter agree to model their behavior on the "Speak Your Peace" principles developed by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. https://www.ttcf.net/news/speak-your-peace-campaign Members will strive to make decisions through a "modified consensus model." The intent of "modified consensus" is to ensure that actions represent an overwhelming support form the group. The definition of "modified consensus" means that, in all decisions, participants will express support or opposition as 1) I support, 2) 1 can live with it, 3) 1 cannot support, and 4) 1 abstain. In a modified consensus model, it takes more than one "I cannot support" statement to block action. Those declaring, "I cannot support" are encouraged to express their rationale for objection in writing to aid in seeking consensus at a later date. "Voting" will be a consensus -building tool used on a very limited basis to aid with informing the process of managing the scope of work described in this Charter, or to bring decisions forward to the respective jurisdictions. When the process requires the use of a vote, the meeting notes will reflect the votes of those who supported, could live with, could not support, or abstained. Membership Local governments, community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders who have endorsed this Charter shall be Founding Members of the CTA. Each member will have one vote in decision -making processes. The membership will be composed of the Governing Council and the Founding Members. Prospective Members shall convey their endorsement of the Charter and place their request to be a member of the CTA with the Co -Chairs of the Governing Council of the CTA. The Co -Chairs shall place the request of the prospective members before the Founding Members and facilitate a decision on new membership. Prospective Members will place their requests to be members before their respective jurisdiction or organization governing bodies for approval. Members may elect to leave the CTA at will by notifying the Co -Chairs of the Governing Council. • 5 Governance Arrangements Governing Council Members The initial parties to the Charter are designated as the Governing Council Members, and act as an executive committee with responsibility to generate agendas, manage finances, oversee contracts, manage membership, and manage work planning. The Governing Council Members are: • Town of Truckee is an incorporated City within Nevada County, California with these boundaries. Keep Truckee Green is the division of the Town of Truckee that is charged with meeting the Town's 100% renewable commitment • Truckee Tahoe Airport District, a Special District of the State of California that manages the Truckee Tahoe Airport • Truckee Donner Public Utilities District • Additional Governing Council Members may be added at the Governing Council's discretion • The Governing Council may appoint sub -committees composed of Governing Council Members and Founding Members to do its business The Founding Members The Governing Council Members and the Founding Members act as the governing body of the CTA with responsibility to provide overall strategic direction, to approve work plans and budgets, to participate in resource mobilization efforts, to consider and develop climate mitigation and adaptation strategies and projects, to serve as a public education and engagement body, to amend this Charter by consensus, and approve inclusion of new members. ! I ICTF. 1Ly 1,wFa�MlFlh V l lll:la .6.�a:. Authority_ Members, jurisdictions, and agencies are not bound to specific action by decisions made as a result of this Charter. By signing the Charter, participants recognize that each is first bound to their jurisdiction, agency, or entity, and operates within their respective entity's constraints. Members do not assume liability for other member's actions, obligations or liabilities, or any third -party claims that arise out of this initiative. Funding Arrangements Members shall make voluntary or in -kind contributions to the CTA to fund its operations. Members shall, to the best of their ability, participate in fundraising efforts to support the operation of the CTA, including but not limited to participating in community outreach and education efforts, participating in private philanthropic efforts, and participating in the development of grant or funding requests. The CTA shall maintain two funds, an "Operating Fund" and a "Climate Fund." Members may make contributions to either fund. The Operating Fund shall cover the core operating expenses of the CTA, including staffing, contracts for operations, and expenses related to maintaining the CTA. The Climate Fund shall be used to support implementation of CTA or Member programs. The Climate Fund may be used as a multi -donor trust fund where contributions may be either general or restricted in nature. The two funds shall be created at the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, who will act as the fiscal sponsor, and will be managed as part of their corpus. The Members, respecting restrictions established by contributors, shall direct the funds. Nothing in this funding arrangement restricts Members from directly receiving funds for specific projects as a part of their jurisdictional, agency, or organizational mission. h The Program of the Climate Transformation Alliance The Members shall establish the program of the CTA. The program of the CTA shall initially consist of the follow three parts: 1.Technical Support and Capacity Development: This program will focus on operations of the CTA, the development of capacity within Member organizations, and providing technical assistance to promote institutional innovation. This program will also include the development of partnerships within Member organizations to develop joint implementation projects. 2.Research and Knowledge Management: The focus of this program will be towards promoting the collection and dissemination of research and knowledge systems to better understand the practices necessary to reduce GHG emissions and advance climate adaptation objectives. This will include collecting and analyzing data regarding regional emissions, risks, resilience opportunities, and infrastructure needs. 3.Public Education and Advocacy: The focus of this program will be on dissemination of information about the activities of the CTA, regional climate risks and opportunities, and joint implementation projects. The focus will also include joint advocacy on behalf of the goals of the CTA with state and federal partners to increase opportunities for reducing GHG emissions and adapting to climate change and funding the activities of the CTA. t Procedures for Endorsement of the Charter The Governing Council Members and Founding Members, including jurisdictions, agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals, may endorse this Charter through board resolution or signature of businesses and individuals, and conveying that action to the Governing Council. Upon endorsement of the Charter, the CTA will consider inclusion in the membership. Signature Date Name, Title Contact (Email, Phone) Signature Date Name, Title Contact (Email, Phone) Signature Date Name, Title Contact (Email, Phone) E