Florida Planning Toolbox - Climate Change Tools

Climate change and its impacts on Florida are high priority issues for the state. On July 13, 2007, during the state-led Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, Governor Charlie Crist signed a groundbreaking set of Executive Orders aimed at addressing global climate change, reducing greenhouse gases, and increasing the state’s energy efficiency. The state’s initiative, which includes three rulemaking projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases (addressing greenhouse gas emissions reductions from electric utilities, opting into the California motor vehicle emissions standards, and developing a heavy-duty diesel anti-idling program), provides a framework for addressing climate change in Florida. It responds to a strong body of scientific evidence developed over the last 30 years that documents changes in global climate patterns. With 8,400 miles of tidal coastline and some 80 percent of Florida residents living in coastal communities, Florida is more vulnerable to the worst effects of climate change than any other state. Under the Executive Orders, Florida will pursue more renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind technologies, and alternative energy (ethanol and hydrogen). In addition, Governor Crist committed to partnering with Germany and the United Kingdom to discuss and promote initiatives that broaden the Kyoto Protocol and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) beyond 2012. To facilitate the state’s response to climate change, the Governor appointed a diverse group of stakeholders to a Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. The team will develop a Florida Climate Change Action Plan that will go beyond the Governor’s Executive Orders to reduce emissions and recommend proposed legislation for the 2008 Legislative Session and beyond. Its November 2007 Phase One report (www.dep.state.fl.us/climatechange/files/20071101_final_report.pdf) outlines a set of 35 initial findings and 30 initial recommendations regarding the state’s energy future. The recommendations, which are compiled in three different sectors (power generation, transportation, and state and local government) are aimed at better tracking and reducing GHG emissions, including energy efficiency and conservation targets. The Action Team’s Phase Two report (to be completed in the fall of 2008) will focus on mitigating the impacts to society, public health, the economy, and the environment created by GHG emissions from new growth. Strategies to address climate change fall into three categories: getting organized, adaptation (preparing for climate change), and mitigation (reducing GHG emissions). Mitigation strategies typically fall within the following categories: Buildings (Facilities and Operations), Economic Development, Education and Outreach (which should parallel all other activities to become more energy efficient), Land Use Planning, Urban Landscaping, Renewable and Clean Energy, Transportation (Mobility, Fleet Conservation, and Alternative Fuels), Waste Management, and Water and Wastewater. Within the categories, actions are divided between changes within local government and those within the broader community. Some strategies can be achieved in the short term, while others will take longer to implement and see results. Three principal resources for the strategies listed below are Natural Capitalism’s The Climate Protection Manual for Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Action Handbook and its Best Practices Guide. The strategies, which are organized in two categories, demonstrate the interdisciplinary approach required to effectively address climate change. At the local government level, appropriate departments and agencies need to be involved as a team empowered to think across disciplines. Such a team could include representatives from transportation planning, fleet management, land use planning and zoning, building codes, public health, environmental and park planning, urban forestry, economic development, purchasing, management of waste, water, and wastewater management.		Executive Orders and Partnership Agreements On July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed three Executive Orders initiating Florida’s energy policy and demonstrating the state’s commitment to reducing Florida’s greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency. Executive Order 07-126 Leadership by Example: Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Florida State Government, commits state government to measuring greenhouse gas emissions, developing a Governmental Carbon Scorecard, and working to reduce emissions 10 percent by 2012, 25 percent by 2017, and 40 percent by 2025. To achieve these goals, state buildings constructed or leased in the future are to be energy efficient, using solar panels when possible; state purchased vehicles are to be fuel efficient and use ethanol and biodiesel fuels when available; and the state’s 2009 rental car contract will be with an energy-efficient rental company. Executive Order 07-127 Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions within Florida, directs the adoption of maximum emission levels of greenhouse gases for electric utilities (a reduction of emissions to 2000 levels by 2017, to 1990 levels by 2025, and by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050). Florida will also adopt the California motor vehicle emission standards (a 22 percent reduction in vehicle emissions by 2012 and a 30 percent reduction by 2016), pending approval of the EPA waiver; require energy-efficient consumer appliances to increase efficiency by 15 percent of current standards; and request that the Public Service Commission adopt a 20 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2020, with a strong focus on solar and wind energy. Executive Order 07-128 Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, creates a Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change to develop a Florida Climate Change Action Plan that will include strategies beyond the Executive Orders to reduce emissions, including recommendations for proposed legislation for consideration during the 2008 Legislative Session and beyond. (More information on the Executive Orders is available from www.floridadep.org/climatechange/eo.htm.)

Click on graph to see larger image Florida Preliminary Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Preliminary Inventory of Florida Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2004 summarizes the findings of a statewide GHG inventory using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s State Inventory Tool. The report shows that total GHG emissions have increased since 1990 at an average rate of 2.5 percent per year. The two primary causes of those increases are electric power and the transportation sectors that are responsible for over 90 percent of Florida emissions: Electric power emissions equaled 49 percent of total emissions (down from 51 percent for study period ending in 2003). The combustion of motor fuels for all modes of transportation produced 43 percent of the total (up from 40 percent for the study period ending in 2003). A significant factor in the rise in transportation-related GHG emissions is the increase in Vehicle Miles of Travel. The balance (8 percent) of Florida GHG emissions were associated with landfills, cement plants, and agriculture. (For more information about the GHG emissions in Florida, go to www.floridadep.org/air/climate.htm. A copy of the draft report, Preliminary Inventory of Florida Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2004, can be viewed at www.floridadep.org/air/documentation/GHG_Inventory.pdf.)