West Sacramento adopts Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, sets interim targets and implementation steps

The West Sacramento City Council on June 4 adopted the city's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and found the action within the scope of the General Plan environmental review. The adoption was by unanimous vote on resolution 25-49.

Seamus Laffey, presenting the plan, said the city'wide greenhouse gas inventory shows transportation and building energy as the largest sources: "58% of the emissions in the city are coming from on road vehicles," he said. Laffey summarized a set of 26 actions organized under seven goals — including expanding EV charging, electrifying buildings, improving energy performance and strengthening climate adaptation and resilience.

The CAAP sets both short-term and long-term targets. Staff recommended per-capita interim goals for 2030 (a minimum 25% reduction and an ambitious 43% target from a 2018 baseline) and a long-term target of net-zero (carbon neutrality) by 2045. Laffey noted the plan's modeled implementation would reduce emissions substantially but still leave a gap to carbon neutrality, saying the city would need additional future measures to close the remainder.

Ryan Burnett, the city's sustainability manager, described implementation steps and operational staffing to keep the plan active: "When I became manager ... I started working on primary and secondary and contributor responsibilities for each of the 26 actions. Because, as I'm sure you all know, when everyone is responsible, no one's in charge," he said. Burnett said staff are identifying who within city departments will be primary and secondary leads for each action and are preparing programs such as free home-energy-audit kits and a community "Climate Champ" outreach campaign.

The council discussion covered equity and implementation logistics. Councilmembers asked about tree care for low-income homeowners, coordination with utilities and incentives for renters and landlords. Laffey and Burnett said the plan includes equity considerations and an appendix listing funding sources and implementation tactics.

Peter Blando, speaking during public comment as a member of the Environment and Utilities Commission, urged the council to consider incentives directed to renters and landlords because about half of the city's residents rent, and to align other city decisions (for example, active-transportation investments) with climate goals.

Councilmember Early moved adoption; Councilmember Ocala seconded. The roll call recorded unanimous approval. Councilmembers and staff said the plan will be used to pursue state and federal grants, guide city operations, and provide CEQA streamlining for future projects that conform to the plan's targets and measures.

Staff outlined near-term priorities including expanding EV chargers, developing a phased approach to building electrification, strengthening coordination with utilities, expanding food recovery and preparing an urban-forest management strategy.