Climate Roadmap 2035

About the Roadmap

The County is creating the Climate Roadmap 2035 which will outline actions the County and partners will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

While many of the County's cities have already adopted Climate Action Plans, the Roadmap will serve as a plan to align existing efforts, prioritize actions in unincorporated areas of the County, and help leverage and facilitate regional partnerships to further encourage sustainable and resilient communities. Through the Roadmap, the County hopes to achieve coordinated collaboration to get one step closer to reaching shared sustainability goals.

Climate Network Map

The Climate Network Map is an online interactive map tool that provides a comprehensive overview of the cities and organizations  working on climate in Santa Clara County. You can access the tool at https://sustainability.sccgov.org/climatenetwork.

You can use the tool to:

• Learn about each city’s climate efforts and goals
• See which organizations are working on climate initiatives and how to connect or partner
• Browse a directory of organizations listed by location and sector
• Share information about your own organization’s work

Get Involved

Watch Our Workshop Recordings

The County hosted two online community workshops:

• The May 31, 2022 workshop provided an overview of the Roadmap, a review of the draft strategies and actions, and an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft strategies. You can watch a recording of the event (58 min). 
• The December 16, 2021 workshop provided an overview of the Roadmap, an introduction to the potential climate goals for the County, and strategies to achieve those goals.  You can watch a recording of the event (23 min).

Timeline and Opportunities​​

The Climate Roadmap 2035 has three overarching project phases. Throughout each project phase, there will be opportunities for stakeholder and community involvement, as illustrated below.​

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Inventory and Forecast​​

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast Report​

The figure below shows the results of the 2017 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for countywide (left) and unincorporated County (right). 

The graphic below illustrates that  ​State programs will help reduce emissions in the County, however, the County and its partners must implement climate action policies and programs to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. 

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Accomplishments

All-Electric Reach Codes

On December 7, 2021 the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that requires all new construction in unincorporated County areas to use electricity (not natural gas) for water heating, space heating, cooking, clothes drying, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and decorative appliances. Known as “reach codes,” these ordinances go beyond state minimum requirements to encourage electrification of buildings. You can learn more at the Department of Planning and Building.

What are the benefits?

• Improve indoor air quality and safety
• Reduce new building construction costs since natural gas plumbing, metering, and venting are not needed
• Combat climate pollution by reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Helps transition County’s building stock to State’s planned phase-out of natural gas infrastructure

Food Recovery Ordinance

On November 16, 2021, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Food Recovery Ordinance that will require certain large-scale businesses in unincorporated County areas to recover and donate surplus edible food. This is required by SB 1383, and will help reduce organic waste in landfills and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions. You can learn more in the press release and on the Food Recovery Program website.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

For more information about the project, please email the Office of Sustainability at [email protected].