2025/01/18 Council Agenda Packet

Category 2• Sensitive information Addressing Racial and Social Equity An overburdened community is a geographic area where vulnerable populations face combined, multiple environmental harms and health impacts. Environmental justice addresses disproportionate environmental and health impacts in laws, rules, and policies with environmental impacts by prioritizing vulnerable populations and overburdened communities and the equitable distribution of resources and benefits. Policies and actions that prioritize assisting overburdened communities and vulnerable populations most impacted by climate change are a focus of this element. The overall intent is to avoid creating or worsening environmental health disparities in any part of the city, but with a particular emphasis on overburdened communities. The focus is on providing public safety and securing property from natural and manmade hazards that are intensified by climate change in is essential. This element references the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan strategies to address disproportionate health impacts from climate change on low-income, elderly, very young, and disabled populations. Actions the city will take in an emergency situation include identify neighborhood cooling centers for the elderly and those without air conditioning; provide information and services for non- English language groups. Goals and Policies Reducing greenhouse gas emissions Goal CCR-1 Everett community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decrease 50% from 2014 to 2030 and 80% from 2014 to 2050. Policy CCR-1.1 Support measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Policy CCR-1.2 Prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate change adaptation actions that benefit vulnerable communities and maximize the benefits of reduced air pollution and environmental justice. Policy CCR-1 3 Reduce solid waste sent to the landfill by promoting recycling and reuse. Policy CCR-1.4 Reduce use of single occupancy vehicles by increasing convenience and safety of alternative transportation. Policy CCR-1.5 Balance the cost of actions and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the cost of inaction. Policy CCR-1 6 Participate with media and community groups that educate residents and businesses on the science of climate change, the risks associated with it, the benefits of climate action strategies (such as lower energy bills, lower commuting costs, less traffic congestion, cleaner air, etc.), the potential impacts that behavior changes by individuals and business can have, and the cost of delaying actions. Goal CCR-2 Municipal greenhouse gas emissions decrease 50% from 2014 to 2030 and to net zero by 2050. [3] Category 2• For official use only / disclosure permissible by law.