Resolution 2021-31575 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31575
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING THE PLEDGES OF UNDER2 COALITION, AND
THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE'S "CLIMATE
NEUTRAL NOW "AND "RACE TO ZERO" CAMPAIGNS,
AFFIRMING THE CITY'S PLEDGE TO SUPPORT
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS WHILE
PLANNING FOR THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
WHEREAS, climate change and the global economy's overshoot of ecological
limits are driving the sixth mass extinction of species, which could devastate much of
biological life on Earth for the next 10 million years; and
WHEREAS, in April 2016, word leaders from 175 countries recognized the threat
of climate change, and the urgent need to combat it by signing the Paris Agreement,
agreeing to keep the increase in global average temperature to "well below 2° C above
pre- industrial levels," and to "pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1. 5° C";
and
WHEREAS, cities and urban areas are in a unique position to combat climate
change, because cities and urban areas are responsible for producing 70% of climate-
changing greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions worldwide; and
WHEREAS, any and all efforts possible must be made to prevent a 1.5 -degree-
Celsius increase in average global temperature, and cities must play a major role in
reaching this goal; and
WHEREAS, holding the increase in global average temperature to these levels
would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change; and
WHEREAS, by taking positive steps to reduce GHG emissions and otherwise
mitigate the effects of climate change, cities can improve their quality of life, enhance
their economic prosperity, and protect the livability of our cities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach is an .urban leader in addressing and
responding to the actual and measurable impacts of climate change by amending
building and land development codes to increase resiliency standards, including without
limitation (i) increased open space, and landscape requirements, (ii) new electric vehicle
parking requirements, and (iii) a groundbreaking requirement that new construction
larger than 7, 000 square feet and ground floor additions larger than 10, 000 square feet
must meet applicable LEED or International Living Future Institute standards, or pay a
sustainability fee; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has already taken steps to aggressively
address climate change and renewable energy, and to reduce our community' s carbon
emissions, by completing an annual citywide and government operations GHG
emissions inventory, streamlining the permitting process for solar installations, and
providing a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program for residents and
businesses; and
WHEREAS, acknowledging the major role of cities and local governments in the
mobilization to address climate change, the United Nations General Secretary
recognized the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (formerly known as the
Compact of Mayors) in September 2014 in New York; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2015, the Mayor and City Commission adopted
Resolution No. 2015-29156, joining the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate &
Energy and pledged to reduce GHG emissions, track progress towards GHG reduction
goals, and enhance the City's resiliency to climate change; and
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2017, the Mayor and City Commission adopted
Resolution No. 2017-29906, honoring and upholding the City's commitment to the
policies, goals, and standards set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement and reaffirming
the City's role as a global urban leader in efforts to reduce GHG emissions, mitigate the
impacts of human activities that contribute to climate change, and enhance resiliency;
and
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2017, the Mayor and City Commission adopted
Resolution No. 2017-29872, supporting the Sierra Club's "Ready for 100%" campaign,
which challenges cities across the United States to set a target of 100% clean,
renewable energy, and supporting the Sierra Club's "Mayors for 100% Clean Energy"
campaign; and
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2019, the Mayor and City Commission adopted
Resolution No. 2019-31040, declaring a Climate Emergency, urging the State of Florida
and the U. S. government to declare a Climate Emergency, and requesting regional
collaboration on an immediate just transition and emergency mobilization effort to
restore a safe climate; and
WHEREAS, the City is currently developing a climate action plan which includes
setting GHG emissions reduction targets; and
WHEREAS, by joining the pledges of the Under2 Coalition, and United Nations
Climate Change's "Race to Zero", and "Climate Neutral Now" campaigns, the City will
recognize the global climate emergency; commit to keep global heating below the 1.5°C
goal of the Paris Agreement; incorporate climate action at the center of urban decision-
making; assist delivering on science-based action to overcome it; adopt a science-
based emissions reduction target; plan inclusive and equitable climate actions; and
report progress annually; and
WHEREAS, by joining the above-mentioned pledges, the City will demonstrate,
at an international level, its leadership role in the global commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby adopt pledges of Under2 Coalition, and the United Nations Climate
Change's "Climate Neutral Now "and "Race to Zero" campaigns, affirming the City's
commitment to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions while planning for the
challenges of climate change.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /0 day of February, 2021.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
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City Attorney !Nati
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MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J.Aguila, Interim City Manager
DATE: February 10, 2021
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE PLEDGES OF UNDER2
COALITION, AND THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE'S "CLIMATE
NEUTRAL NOW "AND "RACE TO ZERO" CAMPAIGNS, AFFIRMING THE
CITY'S PLEDGE TO SUPPORT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
REDUCTIONS WHILE PLANNING FOR THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE
CHANGE.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends the adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
On December 9, 2020, the Mayor and City Commission referred'a discussion regarding the
Race to Zero and Under2Coalition pledges to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee
(LUSC). The item was sponsored by Commissioner Michael Gongora.
At the January 20, 2021 LUSC meeting, the Committee passed a motion with a favorable
recommendation to adopt the Race to Zero, Under2 Coalition and United Nations (UN) Climate
Change's Climate Neutral Now pledges.
ANALYSIS
Less than half of Miami Beach residents are satisfied with the City's efforts to be a green or
sustainable city. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an important step to increasing
satisfaction. There are several pledges and commitments adopted by organizations to
demonstrate their commitment towards becoming more sustainable and reducing their GHG
emissions and mitigate climate change. The Race to Zero, Under2 Coalition and United Nations
(UN) Climate Change's Climate Neutral Now pledges are widely recognized commitments
where organizations commit to GHG emissions reductions while planning for the challenges of
climate change.
Under2 Coalition
The Under2 Coalition is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the goal of building a world of net
zero carbon emissions by 2050. Under2 Coalition brings together signatories and endorsers of
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the Under2 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a climate agreement for
subnational governments. Signatories to the MOU are required to provide information to support
their commitment regarding emission reductions consistent with a trajectory of 80 to 95% below
1990 levels, by 2050, and/or achieving a per capita annual emission goal of less than 2 metric
tons by 2050.
The information requested involves specific areas of action, including but not limited to:
o Energy - share information and experience on redesign of the power supply
and grid, technical solutions and advances in promoting large-scale switch to
renewable energy and the integration of renewable energy sources, actions
needed to ensure security of supply, and strategies to promote energy efficiency
o Traffic and Transport - take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
passenger and freight vehicles, with the goal of broad adoption of "zero emission
vehicles" and development of related zero emission infrastructure
o Natural Resource Protection and Waste Reduction-collaborate on methods to
reduce emissions from the natural resources and waste sectors, which exist at the
nexus of climate mitigation and adaptation activity
o Science and Technology-collaborate and coordinate on scientific assessment
efforts and share information in technology development and deployment
o Communication and Public Participation - collaborate and coordinate on
messaging, transparency, public outreach around climate change, mitigation of
GHG emissions, adaptation, and the subject matter of this MOU
o Short-lived Climate Pollutants - collaborate on the reduction of short-lived
climate pollutants such as black carbon and methane, which will provide near-term
air quality benefits, while also reducing potent climate forcing pollutants
o Inventory, Monitoring, Accounting, Transparency: work towards consistent
monitoring, reporting, and verification across jurisdictions, and will work through
mechanisms such as the Compact of States and Regions and the Compact of
Mayors to that end
Race to Zero:
The Race to Zero is a global campaign from C40 to rally leadership and support for a healthy,
resilient, zero carbon transition. C40 is a network of megacities across the world committed to
addressing climate change.
By committing to the Race to Zero campaign, cities pledge to publicly endorse the following
principles:
o Recognize the global climate emergency
o Keep global heating below the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement
o Incorporate climate action at the center of urban decision-making, to create
thriving and equitable communities
o Help C40 deliver on science-based action to overcome it
o Adopt a science-based emissions reduction target
o Plan at least one inclusive and equitable climate action
o Report progress annually beginning no later than 2022
Climate Neutral Now:
The United Nations Climate Change launched the Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2015 to
encourage organizations, governments and citizens to work towards global climate neutrality by
2050 or earlier. By joining the initiative, organizations commit to the following immediate actions
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with the goal of accelerating the transformative change needed to reach global net zero GHG
emissions:
o Quantify GHG emissions
o Develop a plan to reduce those emissions
o Consider contributing to further emission reductions and sustainable
development through credible carbon market mechanisms
All three of these pledges are consistent with the City's existing emissions reduction goals.
These additional pledges expand the City's municipal network and provide access to resources.
The Climate Group, C40, and UN are respected organization and by pledging to these
commitments the City will join the ranks of other leading governments around the world.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
Less than half of Miami Beach residents are satisfied with the City's efforts to be a green or
sustainable city.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends the adoption of the Resolution.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item,pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes No
Strategic Connection
Environment& Infrastructure - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat.
Legislative Tracking
Environment and Sustainability
Sponsor
Commissioner Michael Gongora
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
D Resolution
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