Title
Joint resolution committing Lake County Government Operations to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Staff Summary
• During previous meetings, the Committee discussed the importance of the County achieving net zero emissions in its operations and directed the sustainability team to research options for achieving this goal.
• At the Committee’s May 2019 meeting, the sustainability team presented a preliminary analysis outlining how net zero emissions can be achieved in Lake County government operations. The sustainability team subsequently returned in November 2019 to present Committee with additional information on the path to net zero emissions, to clarify the goals and strategies, and to receive direction on next steps.
• At the July 2020 meeting, the sustainability team provided draft resolution language with more specific details on rationale, goals, milestones, and reporting requirements of the draft Net Zero Policy.
• Based on direction from the Committee, the sustainability team is returning to present the resolution on Net Zero Emissions and provide requested financial impact information.
Body
JOINT RESOLUTION COMMITTING LAKE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS TO NET ZERO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF affirming and re-stating the commitment of Lake County, Illinois to promoting environmentally sustainable initiatives to help deter the harmful effects of climate change.
WHEREAS, the Lake County Regional Framework Plan encompasses several goals related to energy conservation, reducing emissions, promoting renewable energy, protecting natural resources, and implementing smart growth policies as part of its commitment to strong environmental protection measures; and
WHEREAS, Lake County further demonstrated its commitment to reducing its impact on climate change by joining the County Climate Coalition and affirming its support for the Greenest Region Compact; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is susceptible to the devastating impacts of climate change, including extreme rain and snow events, heat waves, cold temperatures, flooding, erosion, and the associated adverse impacts on human health and the environment; and
WHEREAS, direct emissions from energy consumption (vehicle fuel and waste disposal) and indirect emissions from energy purchases (electricity and natural gas), contribute to global climate change and the negative impacts on Lake County’s residents, businesses, and natural resources; and
WHEREAS, Lake County continues to take steps to minimize emissions in the County’s operations through measures such as diversifying its vehicle fleet with low- and zero-emission vehicles, ensuring new facilities exceed standards for energy efficiency, investing in more efficient building automation systems, and installing solar power systems for County facilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Lake County:
1. Lake County, Illinois commits to achieving net zero emissions in its operations in two phases: (1) reducing the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions of its operations from its 2014-2017 baseline by 50% by 2030 and (2) procuring 100% renewable energy and reducing emissions from its 2014-2017 baseline by 90% or more by 2040, and
2. All new County facilities constructed after 2020 will be evaluated for their potential for net zero certification from a third-party rating system, and
3. The County will achieve at least a 60% diversion rate of recyclables and organics from its own waste stream by 2030 and 90% by 2040, and
4. Progress toward those goals shall be publicly reported by the County Administrator’s office annually, and
5. Municipalities and townships throughout Lake County are invited and encouraged to join the County in this effort to reduce the environmental impact of the operations required to provide public service to the residents and businesses of Lake County.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Lake County Board, on________________, 2020, by the following vote.