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Greenhouse Gas Reduction 50% by 2030 Phase II_Request for AssistanceOctober 6, 2011 Dear Mayor Boul and the Dubuque City Council, Thank you for your leadership in building a more sustainable Dubuque. Recognizing the Council's strong support in adopting the 50% by 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target, listing 'clean air attainment' as a top priority, and identifying a 'community greenhouse gas reduction plan' as important, Green Dubuque is requesting fund ing for Phase II of the 50% by 2030 process in the amount of $40,000. Green Dubuque is proud of our work to advance the Mayor and Council's Sustainable Dubuque vision. For the past four years, Green Dubuque has been deeply involved in almost all sustainability pathways including climate action, air and water quality, social equity, transportatio n and mobility, food systems, and waste minimizatio n, among many others. A selection of these efforts includes: Eco Literacy • 50% by 2030 speaker series, website, and public workshops • Moderators at the 2010 Growing Sustainable Communities Conference • Dubuque Sustainable Task Force — Member • Facilitated monthly Green Drinks meeting • Loras College Environmental Ethics Class -- Annual guest lecturer • Organized Moving Planet clean energy event in September 2011 Clean Air • Authored community and municipal Greenhouse Gas and Criteria Air Pollutants Inventories (2003, 2007) • Organized 50% by 2030 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Campaign • Advocated and facilitated initiation of methane management at the DMASWA landfill Reasonable Mobility /Social Equity • Authored analysis of impact of Complete Streets in Dubuque • Conducted Dubuque City Staff training in Complete Streets impacts and principles • Helped draft DMATS and City of Dubuque Complete Streets policies • Annual promotion of Bike to Work Week Smart Resource Us • Advocated extension of curbside food scrap collection through winter months • Facilitated discussion with IDNR regarding expansio n of DMASWA food scrap composting program • Advocated co- generation at WPCP • Participated in the Waste Diversion Options Study Roadmap Water Quality • IOWATER volunteers • Recruited participation in rain garden and rain barrel community pilots • Storm drain labeling -- "Drains to River" 2 years Local Food • Promotion of local food options, including CSAs, Farmers Markets, and other options on greendubuque.or g website • Steering committee of Dubuque Food Co -op • Treasury for Dubuque CSA group Overview of 50% by 2030 Phase II Phase II of 50% by 2030, which is proposed to run from 11/01/11- 09/01/12, will provide the Dubuque community with key tools for achieving the 50% by 2030 target. The focus of the initiative will be identifying and quantifying greenhouse gas reduction opportunities that will al so enhance the economic, social /cultural, and environmental foundation of Dubuque's sustainability. The project will increase local understanding of Dubuque's greenhouse gas emission trends in light of national trends and local sustainable activities and new projects . In addition, 50% by 2030 Phase II will provide the Dubuque community with a better understanding of ou r local resilience and adaptation in a changing climate. Specifically, we will outline the risks and opportunities ofa climate disruption in the Dubuque area and how the community can minimize the former while maximizing the latter. 50% by 2030 Phase II also will provide specialized technical support to City staff and community partners regarding climate and greenhouse gas related issues. Deliverables ❑ Final Report to City Council: o 2012 review of greenhouse gas reduction opportuniti es - Update current greenhouse gas reduction study to build a comprehensive list of potential strategies. During this process, Green Dubuque will consult and engage extensively with local businesses, experts, and stakeholders to iden tify greenhouse gas reduction opportunities, barriers to implementation, and effe ctive strategies to overcome those barriers, including grant opportunities and financing. - Recalculate estimates to reflect current state of knowledge o Review of community GHG emissions - Inventory calendar year (2009, 2010) - Compare and analyze trends in light of national trends and past/ongoing local action o 2012 review of adaptation opportunities - Initial report of risks and opportunities presented by likely climate scenarios with regards to the local economy, environment, and sociallcultu ral vibrancy - Prioritize strategies to minimize risks and enhance opportunities o 2012 recap of progress - Summary of local reductions completed, ongoing, and planned ❑ Growing a more engaged and knowledgeable community: o Build a community forum for discussing climate related issues - Create and monitor an online forum for discussion, Q &A, local success stories, and general information regarding climate change o Organize interactive /educational events to foster sustainable behavior change - Impacts on local human health systems - Adaptation and preparedness - Personal action ❑ Specialized support to City staff and partner organizations o Technical assistance and analysis for grant writing , press releases, etc. o Management Team and City Green Team training in greenhouse gas reduction approaches o Consultation for private sector partners and stakeholders - Assistance in voluntary carbon reporting - Project specific carbon footprint analysis - Assistance in setting achievable targets and formul ating effective reduction plans ❑ Sister City relationships o Build partnerships and "best practices exchange" with local governments throughout the state. Green Dubuque has already been in contact with other Iowa communities, including Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Indianola, to help them replicate Dubuque's success in local climate action. This is an opportunity to create a statewide movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create jobs as part ofa thriving green economy. Phase II of 50% by 2030 will significantly advance several of the City's ongoing goals, including deve loping sustainability metrics and procuring funding and support for sustainability initiatives. In terms of developing sustainability metrics, Green Dubuque will carefully quantify the prospective and ongoing greenhouse gas impact of specific local actions. G reenhouse gas reduction is a common thread running through virtually all aspects of sustainability, including transportation, air and water quality, ecosystem integrity, energy use and efficiency, and urban planning and design Phase II of 50% by 2030 will provide a common metric linking all of these components,. This will increase understand ing not just the impact of each action individually, but also how they all fit together into the greater whole of Sustainable Dubuque. In terms of funding and support for sustainability initiatives, the 50% by 2030 initiative is a unique local effort that heightens Dubuque's national stature and leadership in local sustainability. Supporting and reporting on the 50% by 2030 initiative will keep Dubuque at the cutting edge of sustainability where we will continue to attract well deserved jobs, funding, and investment. To this end, Green Dubuque will also work closely with City staff and local partners by offering our technical expertise in grant applications and other local initiatives. Green Dubuque is uniquely positioned to complete Phase II of 50% by 2030. Over the past four years, Green Dubuque has: (1) compiled and authored Dubuque's governmental and community-wide greenhouse gas inventories; (2) authored the 50% by 2030 feasibility study outlining potential paths to reduce local emissions; (3) been deeply immersed in sustainability in Dubuque; and (4) buil t contacts and working relationships with City staff, local businesses and organizations, and the hundreds of c itizens endorsing the 50% by 2030 initiative. These will all be key components of building a comprehensive, careful ly quantified, business friendly toolkit for reduci ng Dubuque's greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to a healthier, more resilient Dubuque Your strong leadership has made Dubuque an international model of success in sustai nability initiatives and citizen empowerment for medium sized cities. We hope you will consider supporting our efforts Sincerely, Jason Schatz President, Green Dubuque Inc.