Redmond releases draft ESAP 2025 strategies; council pushes for costs, water resilience and electrification details

Redmond sustainability staff on Tuesday presented a focused, five-year refresh of the city’s Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP), outlining draft strategies and actions to reduce greenhouse gases and build climate resilience and asking the City Council for feedback before a public draft is released next month.

Sustainability Program Manager Jenny Liebeck said the update narrows the plan to actions the city can implement over five years while keeping its longer-term 2050 goals in view. “These will be our climate and sustainability priorities for the next 5 years and keep us on track towards our 2030 2,050 greenhouse gas reduction goals,” Liebeck said.

Why it matters: The ESAP guides city programs that touch energy, buildings, transportation, waste and natural systems; staff said buildings account for about 70% of the city’s emissions and transportation is the second-largest source. The council’s Climate Emergency Declaration has also been integrated into the city actions identified in the draft.

Key proposals and near-term timeline - Focus the plan around five “big moves” and 10 strategies that emphasize measurable greenhouse gas reductions and resilience over a five-year implementation window; staff said a public draft will be published next month with a target City Council adoption on Dec. 2 and an optional study session on Oct. 28. -…