The Planning Process

Burlington’s Climate Action Plan process has thus far involved several key steps:

  1. Burlington’s Climate Action Plan update started in spring 2008 with a complete inventory of current greenhouse gas emissions at the Municipal and Community level, including emissions from transportation, waste, and building energy use.
  2. Once this data was collected, a target reduction was set by Mayor Kiss in fall 2008 – 20% reduction of 2007 GHG levels by 2020 and 80% below 2050.
  3. Over fall 2008-winter 2009, 8 working groups were formed to brainstorm on ways to meet the City’s reduction target. The working groups were formed to consider seven key areas:
    • Policy, Research, and Education
    • Energy Efficiency in Buildings
    • Transportation, Telecommunications, and Access
    • Renewable Energy Resources
    • Waste Reduction and Recycling
    • Forestry and Carbon Offsets
    • Local Farms, Gardens, and Food Production
  4. Over 170 recommendations were generated during this public engagement process. These ideas were shared during the December 9 Legacy Town Meeting, when over 200 people gathered to celebrate Burlington’s successes and where invited to weigh in on the plan.
  5. SpringHill Solutions, a local carbon-management, clean energy, and business sustainability consulting firm, was hired with the help of American Recovery Act Funds. They are providing a comprehensive set of actionable and cost-effective greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies that will: (1) form the foundation of the City of Burlington’s Climate Action Plan; (2) provide the CIty with a carbon mitigation strategy decision-making framework; and (3) better prepare the City to reach its GHG reduction target of 20% of 2007 emission levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. This work will include an analysis of capital investment, annual cost or savings, internal rate of return, net present value, and tons of carbon avoided in total and per dollar invested.
  6. Next steps include:
    • February 2010 : Sharing the results of Spring Hill’s work with the public and working with stakeholders on final ranking of the recommended actions
    • March 2010 : Writing a draft plan and soliciting public advice and input
    • April 2010 : Completing the Final Plan and hosting a public event to celebrate its completion and the work ahead!