advisory sustainability committee resiliency and meeting

Resiliency and Sustainability

Advisory Committee

Meeting

Nov. 12, 2020 (Virtual Meeting)

WEBINAR LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87142628321Call 1 (929) 205 6099, Webinar ID: 871 4262 8321

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87142628321?fbclid=IwAR134sMcYYODZrrpFTriW2FN59Fv3y9hFa_MeDnV49RcHhF9BrcUxtdeev8

Welcome andMoment of Silence

By: Mayor John Tecklenburg, Chairman

Agenda1. Welcome and Moment of Silence Mayor John Tecklenburg

2. USACE Peninsula Flood Risk Management Study Mark Wilbert

3. Mattress Recycling Katie McKain

4. Vulnerability Assessment Report Matt Hutchins,

NEMAC/FernLeaf

5. Climate Action Plan Update Katie McKain

& Stewart Weinberg

6. Public Comment Period

Webinar ID: 871 4262 8321

USACE Peninsula Flood Risk Management Study

By: Mark Wilbert, City of Charleston, Chief Resilience Officer

Mattress RecyclingPilot Program

By: Katie McKain, City of Charleston, Director of Sustainability

Mattress Recycling Pilot Project● Mattress Challenges:

○ Can no longer be taken to Bees Ferry Landfill, now they

must go to the Republic Landfill in Ladson, SC, farther away

○ Are usually not accepted for donation

○ Take up valuable landfill space leaving “uncompacted voids”

● Grant support from SC DHEC, $12,500 ● 10 month pilot project● Test methods to collect, store, and transport

mattresses to a special mattress recycling facility in Pamplico, SC

● If successful, a new program could be created● Planning began in September 2020

90% of a Mattress Can be Recycled1. Foam → new carpet padding

products

2. Steel parts → smelted down for reuse

3. Box spring wood parts are untreated ---> reclamation projects, mulch, or firewood

Only 10% is discarded as compacted waste when recycled

Recycled mattresses are not reused, they are disassembled into products that can be reused in new ways.

The program will start January 1, 2021

Collection Methods Being Tested● Drop off site

● Schedule a pickup online, phone or text

○ via a private company for a fee

● Pop up events in specific locations

○ i.e. college move out

● Curbside pickup via bulk trash collection

Financial Considerations to Creating a Sustainable Program● Can we better purpose the new cost of taking mattresses to the Ladson

(Republic) Landfill instead of Bees Ferry?

○ Redirecting funds for recycling instead of landfilling mattresses

● If we can remove or reduce mattress pickups in garbage trucks, that saves space on trucks.

○ This could result in less trips to the landfill overall--> less gas and staff time potentially.

● A private mattress recycling pick up program already exists in Charleston. This program charges a fee and has a sustainable funding source.

○ How can we better promote and leverage this program’s success?

Residents are Target Audience● The program is for City residents only

● Businesses are still responsible for properly discarding their own waste.

● Potential exists to partner with retail mattress stores.

○ Interested stores are encouraged to reach out.

Partners

Vulnerability Assessment Final Report

By: Matt Hutchins,Senior Resilience Analyst, NEMAC+FernLeaf

Resiliency & Sustainability Advisory Committee

Nov 12, 2020

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A resource for City leaders and staff to continuously assess and better manage impacts from hazard events

● Integrates with the City’s Flooding and Sea Level Rise Strategy, the Dutch Dialogues, and other planning efforts.

● Uses trusted sources of information and best practice (NOAA’s Steps to Resilience) to quantify vulnerability and risk to hazards.

● Solutions-oriented and informs targeted use of limited resources—in a complex and changing world.

Businesses

Homes

Government functions

Critical facilities (schools and public safety)

Parks and cultural resources

Access to critical services

Annual sales volume

Jobs and employees

Sensitive populations

Public housing

SNAP food retailers

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Which Hazards are most likely to harm people and communities and cause loss to or failure of Core Systems in the City of Charleston?

FLOODING SEA LEVELRISE

EARTHQUAKES EXTREMEHEAT

WATER SHORTAGE

HAZMAT

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1. Daniel Island2. Downtown/Peninsula3. James Island (North)4. James Island (South)5. Johns Island (North)6. Johns Island (South)7. Cainhoy8. West Ashley (Outer)9. West Ashley (Inner)

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Note: numbers are the number of property parcels; earthquake assessment only focused on vulnerability

2,379 (71%)

2,832 (84%)

1,563 (46%)

43,116 (70%)

53,918 (87%)

24,456 (39%)

(schools, utilities, public safety)

205 (59%)

249 (72%)

304(88%)

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Peninsula

PeninsulaWest Ashley (Inner)

West Ashley (Inner)

James Island (North)

James Island (North)

PeninsulaJames Island (North)

West Ashley (Inner)

65%

65%

Peninsula

19%

West Ashley (Inner)

30%

James Island (North) 13%

22%

7%

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(2030-2100)

10%

25%

15,000(22%)

Potentially Inaccessible Roads

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Homes & Storm Surge

Example: Storm Surge

● About 96% of homes in the most socially vulnerable neighborhoods are vulnerable to storm surge

● Public Housing: 102 (99%) ● SNAP Retailers: 117 (96%)

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● Assessment integrates and builds on the City’s

● Recognizes holistic approach needed for building resilience

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Nov 19, 2019 12

● 86% of properties citywide could be inaccessible to emergency response in a major flood event

● Assessment helps to inform how and where to prioritize resources

Potentially Inaccessible Roads in a 100-yr Flood Event

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Flooding, Tidal Flooding (with current sea level rise), Hazardous Materials

Sea Level Rise and Future Tidal Flooding, Extreme Heat

Storm Surge, Earthquake

Limited resources means that every issue cannot be addressed. Three types of risks that all require planning for today and additional stakeholders to address:

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● Assessment Summaries● Key Findings● Options and Priorities● Appendix

○ Technical Documentation○ General Area Reports○ 2-Page Asset-Hazard Profiles○ All Options

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We want to give a special thanks to City staff.

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Climate Action Plan Update

By: Katie McKain, City of Charleston, Director of Sustainability

&Stewart Weinberg

Resiliency and Sustainability Advisory Committee

A Climate Action Plan outlines actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A key goal is to create a strategy outlining climate mitigation action items supported by the community, including City Council.

The roadmap will feature both government and community-wide initiatives, such as programs, projects and policies.

Climate Action Planning ProcessMilestone 1 is complete

Plan Evolution

City Council

Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee

Climate Action Taskforce

SubcommitteesClimate Action Taskforce

Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee

Provide guiding principles to

Taskforce

Create goals and action

items

Focused/refined discussions on specific subject

matter i.e. buildings

Review and refine draft action plan

Review and refine draft action plan.

Final approval authority

Evaluate and prioritize items,

create draft action plan

Public input throughout

Goal is to share valuable feedback we received from the first community survey with:

● Resiliency and Sustainability Advisory Committee

● Climate Action Plan Taskforce ● Subcommittees

Community Survey Results

Katie McKain

222 Responses in 6 weeks

Demographic Diversity

How do you personally feel

I am concerned about climate change

How do you think people in Charleston feel

People in Charleston are concerned about climate change


I am concerned that climate change will harm me and my family


People in Charleston are concerned climate change will harm their family


I am concerned that climate change will harm future generations


People in Charleston are concerned climate change will harm future gener.


Climate change is caused mostly by human activities


People in Charleston think climate change is caused mostly by human act.


We need to act now to address climate change


People in Charleston think we need to act now to address climate change


My individual impacts contribute to the global impact of climate change


People in Charleston think individual actions contribute to the global impact


I think people in Charleston should be doing more to help prevent climate change


People in Charleston believe residents should be doing more to help prevent climate change


I want to do more to help prevent climate change


People in Charleston want to do more to help prevent climate change


I am taking action to help prevent climate change


People in Charleston are taking action to help prevent climate change

To what extent do you agree with the following statements about climate change?

Efforts to prevent climate change present an economic opportunity for Charleston

To what extend do you agree with the following statements about climate change?

Investing in energy efficiency provides job opportunities in Charleston


Energy efficient homes reduce greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures & climate change)


My transportation choices impact greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures & climate change)


Home electricity use and heating/cooling contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures & climate change)


Workplace electricity use and heating/cooling contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures & climate change)


Solid waste - or trash- sent to the landfill contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures & climate change)

What actions do you already take to reduce your emissions at home or at work?1. Conserve electricity- 186 ppl (84%)2. Limit buying items that produce waste- 158 ppl (71%)3. Limit meat consumption- 133 ppl (60%)4. Performed energy efficiency upgrades - 114 ppl (51%)5. Walk, instead of driving- 81 ppl (37%)6. Ride my bike, instead of driving- 58 ppl (26%)7. Drive a hybrid or electric vehicle- 37 ppl (17%)8. Have solar powered electricity- 15 ppl (7%)9. Ride transit, instead of driving- 10 ppl (5%)

10. None- 18 ppl (8%)11. Other- recycle, compost, and more!

Optional Open Ended Questions & Comments● Please explain why your support for taking action on climate change has increased,

decreased, or stayed the same in the past year. (optional)

○ 134 responses

● Please provide any comments or ideas of what you think the City should be doing to address our changing climate. (optional)

○ 125 responses

● Do you know of any organizations, government agencies, institutions, or businesses that are working to address climate change in Charleston? If so, please list them below. (optional)

○ 62 responses

Public Meeting Results

Stewart Weinberg

Goal is to share valuable feedback we received from the first public meeting with:

● Resiliency and Sustainability Advisory Committee

● Climate Action Plan Taskforce ● Subcommittees

Climate Action Plan Taskforce

RecapSeptember 21, 2020

Goal is to recap the Taskforce’s opening discussions of updating our emissions reductions goals to ensure the group is on track

Climate Action Plan Taskforce Meeting● 25ppl

● Green Plan History

● Climate Action Planning process

● Social Equity importance

● FY 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory

report

● Climate Science

● Discussion on short and long goal term target emission reductions goals

Short Term Goal DiscussionEmissions Reduction Goal Discussion:

● Yes, create a short term goal!

● Realistic goal we can achieve

● Aim to stay within ten years → 2030 goal

rather than 2035

● Short term goal is important than long term

goal (action +science)

● 30%-70% reduction ranges discussed

Next: Continue Discussion with Data

Quantify emissions savings per action item proposed→ then revisit goal discussion with feasibility and cost considered

Other Goals:

● 2010 Charleston Green Plan:

○ 30% by 2030

● Boynton Beach, FL:

○ 50% by 2035

● Memphis area, TN:

○ 51% by 2035

● Columbia, SC:

○ 28% by 2025 (older)

Long Term Goal DiscussionEmissions Reduction Goal Discussion:

● Aim for net zero by 2050

● It’s hard to know what Charleston, our

world, or technology will be like in 2050

● Must strive to keep equity, fiscal

responsibility and science at center of

planning process

Others

● Charleston’s current goal:

○ 80% by 2050

● Boynton Beach, FL:

○ net zero by 2050

● Memphis area, TN:

○ 71% by 2050

● Orlando:

○ 90% by 2040

Next Steps

Subcommittees will take a deeper dive into the specific focus areas.

They will strive to create an action plan that meets the proposed new emissions reduction goals.

● Buildings● Transportation● Waste● Carbon Sinks● Education/Outreach

Convening Subcommittees

Public Input Opportunities

1. Volunteer on a subcommittee

2. Participate in a climate action public meeting

3. Fill out community surveys

4. Attend RSAC meetings & participate during public comment period

5. Contact the City’s Sustainability Division

6. Contact City Council members

Visit charleston-sc.gov/sustainability to get involved! Please share with others!

Input from the community is vital to create a successful Climate Action Plan!

https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1972/Sustainability

Timeline● Draft Action Items to the RSAC

and for discussion at first 2021 meeting

● Draft Final Action Plan potentially to RSAC at second 2021 meetingClimate Action Plan

Public Comment Period

If you would like to speak, please “raise your hand”:

● Join on the webinar itself https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87142628321

● Or Call 1 (929) 205 6099, Webinar ID: 871 4262 8321, press *9

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87142628321?fbclid=IwAR134sMcYYODZrrpFTriW2FN59Fv3y9hFa_MeDnV49RcHhF9BrcUxtdeev8

advisory sustainability committee resiliency and meeting

Documents