Loading...
2007-26699 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2007-26699 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT, AND SETTING AS GOALS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH THE ADOPTION OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT IMPLEMENT IN MIAMI BEACH ACTIONS THAT STRIVE TO MEET OR EXCEED KYOTO PROTOCOL TARGETS FOR REDUCING GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION. WHEREAS, on February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate disruption and global warming, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified it to that date; and WHEREAS, on that day, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched this initiative to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action by at least 141 American cities; and WHEREAS, by four months later, at the 2005 U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in June, 141 mayors had signed the Agreement -the same number of nations that ratified the Kyoto Protocol; and WHEREAS, just over two years later, on July 13, 2007, the U.S. Conference of Mayors announced that 600 U.S. Mayors had signed the Agreement; and WHERAS, Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer is among those mayors who have signed the agreement; and WHERAS, the Conference urges that "Scientific evidence and consensus continues to strengthen the idea that climate disruption is an urgent threat to the environmental and economic health of our communities. Many cities, in this country and abroad, already have strong local policies and programs in place to reduce global warming pollution, but more action is needed at the local, state, and federal levels to meet the challenge"; and WHEREAS, the Conference explains that: under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take the following three actions: - Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns; - Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and - Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system; and WHEREAS, the Resolution of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, setting forth the justifications for the Agreement, and laying out the actions proposed are attached to this Resolution as Exhibit "A". 2007-26699 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the Mayor and Commission endorse the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and set as goals of the City of Miami Beach the adoption of policies and programs that implement in Miami Beach actions that strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17th de ATTEST: CITY CLERK Robert Parcher Approved as to form and language and for execution ~£~ ttorney a ed ~_ T:\AGENDA\2007\oct1707\Regular\US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement reso.doc 2 m MIAMIBEACH OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager Jose Smith, City Attorney FROM: Michael Gongora, Commissione DATE: September 27, 2007 SUBJECT: Resolution for Establishing The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as City Policy Please prepare a resolution for the October 17 Commission Agenda to establish the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as City Policy. Please find attached the agreement. If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact my aide, Diana Fontani at extension 6528. MG/df Agenda Item R q E .., .. , Date Iv-(~-~~ m MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager DATE: October 17, 2007 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT, AND SETTING AS GOALS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH THE ADOPTION OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT IMPLEMENT IN MIAMI BEACH ACTIONS THAT STRIVE TO MEET OR EXCEED KYOTO PROTOCOL TARGETS FOR REDUCING GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTON. ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION Adopt the Resolution. ANALYSIS At the international level, in 2005, the Kyoto Protocol was drafted as a means to foster international action on climate disruption and global warming. At the national level, the elements of the Kyoto Protocol have been embodied in a U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which has been recommended for endorsement by various Mayors of the United States. The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement asks that participating cities take the following three actions relative to climate disruption and global warming: • Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns; • Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol - 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; • Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation which would establish a national emission trading system. The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Action Agreement suggests twelve (12) possible courses of action that communities might undertake in order to achieve the commitments under the Climate Protection Agreement. The twelve provisions recommended as possible courses of action include the following: 1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan; 2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities; 3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit; 4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology; 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money; 6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use; 7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system; 8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel; 9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production; 10. Increase recycling rates in City operation: and in the community; 11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and 12. Help educate the public schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution. It is important to note that the list is intended to be suggested actions not required actions. The list is not intended to be exclusive such that other items that help achieve the overall goals can clearly be incorporated by any municipality. The first step in the approval and policy implementation process is for the respective communities Mayor to sign the Protection Agreement. City of Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer has already signed the Agreement indicating his and the City's support for the Agreement's provisions. In order to become official City policy, in addition to the Mayor's endorsement, adoption and approval by the City Commission of the Agreement and its respective provisions is also necessary. The Mayor's Ad Hoc Green Committee has reviewed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and its provisions and has unanimously recommended to the full City Commission, the City Commission's endorsement and subsequent implementation actions in order to meet the Agreement goals. 2 If the members of the City Commission approve the Resolution endorsing the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the Commission must then address desired implementation strategies. Typical next step taken by communities for implementation is to draft a Climate Protection Plan that is specific to the community. The Climate Protection Plan sets forth those specific actions that the City will undertake in order to achieve the overall goals. Attached please find an Executive Summary from the City of Seattle's Climate Protection Plan as an example. Seattle has been instrumental in launching the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and has taken the lead on a national level to encourage other Mayors to endorse the Agreement and for communities to adopt action plans to actually achieve the goals within the Agreement. The creation of a Climate Action Plan is one which would actually chart a course for the City to expend resources toward the accomplishment of the overall goals in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. While many of the actions which the City has already embraced, such as a reforestation effort for the community, are relatively easily addressed and incorporated, others such as green buildings, municipal fleet vehicle fuel efficiencies, water conservation efforts and the adoption of land-use policies is more complex and will require more attention if those are to be pursued. The specific level of policy and resource support which the City Commission would like to attach to a Climate Action Plan is a suggested topic for one of the upcoming Commission Retreats to provide the Administration with appropriate guidance on how to match Commission Policy initiatives with the City's Strategic Plan and annual expenditures. JMG\RCM\sam F:\cmg r\$AL L\BOB\usmayorscli mateprotectag reecom memo.doc Attachment 3 CONFF ~ .. , ' ~ ~~~ The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (As endorsed by the 73`d Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, Chicago, 2005) A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels; B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that 1) includes clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as: 1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan. 2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities; 3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit; 4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology; 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money; 6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use; 7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system; 8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti- idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel; 9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production; 10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; 11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb C02; and 12. Help educate the public, schools, otherjurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution. USCM 2005 Adopted Resolutions 2005 ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS ENVIRONMENT ENDORSING THE U.S. MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international community's most respected assemblage of scientists, has found that climate disruption is a reality and that human activities are largely responsible for increasing concentrations of global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, recent, well-documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40 percent decline in Arctic sea-ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past decade; and WHEREAS, climate disruption of the magnitude now predicted by the scientific community will cause extremely costly disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world including: increased risk of floods or droughts; sealevel rises that interact with coastal storms to erode beaches, inundate land, and damage structures; more frequent and extreme heat waves; more frequent and greater concentrations of smog; and WHEREAS, on February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address climate disruption, went into effect in the 141 countries that have ratified it to date; 38 of those countries are now legally required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's population, is responsible for producing approximately 25 percent of the world's global warming pollutants; and WHEREAS, the Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S. would have been 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and WHEREAS, many leading US companies that have adopted greenhouse gas reduction programs to demonstrate corporate social responsibility have also publicly expressed preference for Page 1 of 3 http://usmayors.org/uscm/resolutions/73rd conference/en_0l .asp 10/01 /2007 USCM 2005 Adopted Resolutions the US to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets and timetables as a means by which to remain competitive in the international marketplace, to mitigate financial risk and to promote sound investment decisions; and WHEREAS, state and local governments throughout the United States are adopting emission reduction targets and programs and that this leadership is bipartisan, coming from Republican and Democratic governors and mayors alike; and WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing global warming pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through energy conservation and new energy technologies; and WHEREAS, mayors from around the nation have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which, as amended at the 73rd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, reads: The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels; B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes 1) clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as: 1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan. 2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities; 3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit; 4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology; 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money; 6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use; 7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system; 8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio- diesel; 9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production; 10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; 11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb C02; and 12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution. Page 2 of 3 http://usmayors.org/uscm/resolutions/73rd conference/en_01.csp 10/0l /2007 USCM 2005 Adopted Resolutions NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting and urges mayors from around the nation to join this effort. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The U.S. Conference of Mayors will work in conjunction with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and other appropriate organizations to track progress and implementation of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting. return to resolution index ©2005 The U.S. Conference of Mayors Tom Cochran, Executive Director 1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006 Tel. 202.293.7330 ti Fax 202.293.2352 info@usmayors.org Page 3 of 3 http://usmayors.org/uscm/resolutions/73rd conference/en_01.asp 10/01 /2007 Introduction The climate crisis presents Seattle with an extraordi- nary challenge. The local impacts-winter flooding, summer drought; rising sea levels, heightened wildfire risk, receding glaciers and declining snow pack-pose serious risks to our economy and our quality of life. In February of 2005, Mayor Greg Nickels challenged fellow mayors across the country to join with Seattle in pledging to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol's emis- sions-reduction goals. So far, more than 300 mayors, representing 51 million Americans in 46 states have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The Seattle Climate Action Plan is the way Seattle will meet those goals and reduce greenhouse gas emis- sions as a city to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. It is guided largely by the March 2006 recommenda- tions of the mayor's Green Ribbon Commission on Climate Protection. The challenge is great. Success will depend on individ- uals, businesses and the community working together in ways large and small to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan will support individuals in reducing emissions at home, at work and on the road through investments in transit, conservation and education. It will help busi- nesses conserve energy and implement climate protec- tion improvements. And it will strengthen and expand the City of Seattle's effort to reduce its emissions as it provides services to people across the city. Mayor Nickels and the City of Seattle believe strongly that local action is a critical part of the global solution; Seattle's successes will provide a model for policies that must ultimately be developed worldwide to stabi- lize the climate. Further, the technological innovation that will accompany the necessary shift in our energy consumption will generate significant economic oppor- tunity. Seattle is more than up to the task of greening our own community and leading others. The government has reduced its own climate pollution by 60 percent since 1990, led by City Light, the only electric utility to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Seattle s waste reduction and water and electricity conservation programs are among the nation's best. The Climate Action Plan The plan details substantial new investments to en- courage businesses and residents to take action and to expand the City's emissions-cutting programs. The mayor has proposed $37 million over the next two years for climate protection actions such as expanded transit service; and improved and new bicycling and pe- destrian facilities. It includes money to convert to more climate-friendly vehicles and equipment throughout the City. to start a new business partnership devoted to climate protection, and to launch a broad campaign to educate residents and businesses about the link between climate disruption and fossil fuel consumption The funding sources include $34 million from "Bridg- ing the Gap,"which voters will consider in November, and $3 million in the mayor's 2007 and 2008 budget proposal. The plan also extends existing climate-protection initia- tives, like Seattle City Light's net-zero emissions ef- forts, smart growth policies and regulations to promote development in urban centers and the City's green fleet and green building programs. The City and the community's progress will be mea- sured, and the plan updated, every two years by an interdepartmental Climate Team coordinated by the Of- fice of Sustainability and Environment (OSE). OSE will update the community's and the City's greenhouse gas inventories every three years. Successful implementation of Seattle Climate Action Plan will move us substantially toward the Kyoto target. But. of course, Kyoto is just a beginning. To stave off the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate disrup- tion will require a sustained effort well beyond 2012 and well beyond Seattle. The challenge before us is big. No city in America is more capable of exceeding it. To get to the Kyoto goal, Seattle must cut its emissions by about 680.000 metric tons. The sources of Seattle's climate pollution are really no different from any other region. Our greenhouse gases come almost entirely from using energy in everyday life. Roughly half the climate pollution in Seattle comes from burning fossil fuels to move ourselves and our goods in cars, trucks, buses, trains and airplanes. Another quarter comes from heating our homes and buildings, primarily with natural gas. The community will cut greenhouse gas emissions in three major ways: reducing our dependence on cars, increasing fuel efficiency and the use of biofuels, and conserving and using cleaner energy in our homes, businesses and institutions. The City will pursue poli- cies to bolster its leadership in climate protection and to inspire broader action. Reduce Seattle's Dependence on Cars The City will invest $1.5 million to increase transit service in Seattle; which King County's Transit Now ballot measure, if it passes; will match 2 for 1, for an estimated 45,000 additional hours of service citywide. Cars and trucks: trucking and passenger transportation, including gasoline, diesel, and natural gas vehicles; Maritime: Ships, trains. terries. construction equipment; Airports: air travel: Heating: natural gas (including commercial and industrial uses), heating oil, and propane heat: City Light: Seattle City Light emissions; Coal: coal from various Seattle-based industries; Other: closed landfills. non-road gasoline, distillate oil; liquid propane gas, fireplaces. PROJECTED 2012 SEATTLE EMISSIONS SOURCES A Ct~~.i7R '~i~NA!i''E FR.4::f.)CeH~KY P-fAf:*~Y::it=tf • The City has committed $3 million for transit corri- • dor and reliability improvements, which Transit Now will match with an additional 5,000 service hours, allowing faster more reliable bus service in the city's most congested routes to Downtown (Ballard, West Seattle, Pine Street, First Hill). • The City will double the existing 25 miles of marked and striped bicycle lanes. • The City will make walking more attractive by installing 200 new pedestrian curb ramps and upgrading 50 marked crosswalks to national safety standards by the end of 2008. • The City will implement a 10 percent commercial parking tax to be phased in over three years, be- ginning in July 2007. • Mayor Nickels has allocated $100;000 to work with regional partners to analyze and develop road pric- ing scenarios and address any legal and imple- mentation issues. Increase Fuel Efficiency and Use of Biofuels • The City, partnering with Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. will increase fuel efficiency and the use of biofuels by commercial fleets through a "Smart Fleets" edu- cational outreach program. The City will begin increasing its biodiesel blend from 20 percent biodiesel (B20) to as much as 40 percent (B40) in 2007. The Seattle Police Department will begin in 2007 to transition all of its non-pursuit vehicles to efficient gas-electric hybrids. The City will examine the use of smaller, more fuel- efficient vehicles as taxicabs and offering incen- tives to taxicab owners to use gas-electric hybrid vehicles, culminating in recommendations to the Mayor by the end of 2007. In addition, the City will continue to work with King County, the Port of Seattle and taxi companies to explore ways of reducing the amount of taxi "deadheading" in the region. Achieve More Efficient and Cleaner Energy for Homes and Businesses • City's Light's mitigation program has already sealed its net-zero emissions status for 2007 by participating in offset programs and has committed to acquire at least 7.5 average megawatts through conservation measures in 2007 and 2008. • In 2007. Seattle Public Utilities and City Light will implement a comprehensive shower-head and faucet aerator program for all residential customers to conserve hot water heated by gas and electric- ity. Program materials will feature greenhouse gas reductions as one of many benefits. • The City will hire a dedicated energy specialist and implement cost-effective conservation and energy efficiency measures in City facilities. Seattle Parks and Recreation will install covers on the Helene Madison and Ballard swimming pools, which are heated by natural yas, in 2007. In ad- dition, in partnership with Puget Sound Energy, Parks is establishing a Resource Conservation program to identify and implement cost-effective energy conservation measures. Extend the City's Leadership • Seattle Public Utilities, the City's second-largest department; will complete its own greenhouse gas emissions inventory, reduction target and action plan. • The City will fully mitigate all business-related air travel by Gity employees beginning in 2007 by pur- chasing carbon-offset projects annually. explore options for climate-friendly investing that are consistent with State law governing the Sys- tem's investments. This may include actions such as assessing both the risks to City investments posed by climate disruption and the opportunities to invest in climate solutions; asking companies in the City's existing investment portfolio to disclose climate risk information through reporting mecha- nisms such as the Carbon Disclosure Project or Global Reporting Initiative: and joining the Investor Network on Climate Risk. Inspire Action The Seattle Climate Partnership, begun with sup- port from OSE: will provide Seattle area employers with resources for assessing their climate impacts and implementing strategies for reducing emis- sions. The Partnership will also develop strategies for achieving emissions through relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and vendors. The Department of Neighborhoods will launch a Neighborhood Climate Protection Matching Fund to promote and help finance neighborhood-based climate protection projects such as local biodiesel cooperatives, tool- and car-sharing programs, anti- idling campaigns and community energy conserva- tion actions. The City, in partnership with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, King County, Climate Solutions, Puget Sound Energy, AAA-Washington and others, will launch in early 2007 a regional campaign, includ- ing a "Drive Smart" program, to engage and inspire Puget Sound area residents and businesses to incorporate climate protection action into their daily affairs. • The City will launch a campaign to encourage all 10,000 City employees to reduce climate pollution on the job and at home. • Anewly-created Department of Executive Adminis- tration Green Team will assess and, where appro- priate: promote the purchase and use of climate- friendly products, such as super-efficient "80-plus" computers and servers. City of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels For more information: www.seattle.gov/cl imate • OSE and the Department of Finance will work with the Seattle City Employees Retirement System to This doatrnerrt ~^r<:3s t_,rir~t~~cx on FSC ct:rtified i+:){9 percent postconsumer w~~ste fiber using stay-based ink.