SCH Number 2015051054

Project Info

Title

Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and Safety Element Update

Description

The proposed project involves both the adoption of a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Project (CAAP) and a Safety Element Update. The CAAP is a comprehensive planning document outlining the City’s proposed approach both to address climate impacts on Long Beach and to reduce Long Beach’s impact on the climate by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CAAP was a mitigation measure for the Long Beach Land Use Element (LUE) and Urban Design Element (UDE) Program EIR (2019 Certified Program EIR). The proposed project is considered a policy/planning action and adoption of the proposed project does not constitute approval or entitlement for any physical improvements or development. The proposed project is the adoption of the CAAP and associated amendments to the General Plan Safety Element to bring the Safety Element up to date and into compliance with a number of State laws including relating to climate change and resiliency. The proposed CAAP is a comprehensive planning document outlining the City’s proposed approach both to address climate impacts on Long Beach and to reduce Long Beach’s impact on the climate by reducing future GHG emissions. The proposed CAAP provides a framework to reduce the City's GHG footprint (climate action) and ensure the community that physical assets are better protected from the impacts of climate change (climate adaptation). The vision of the proposed CAAP is to create a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable city by addressing climate change in a way that remedies existing environmental health disparities while also improving health and quality of life and enhancing economic vitality throughout Long Beach. The proposed CAAP includes a roadmap for implementing new policies, programs, incentives, requirements, projects, and initiatives in the immediate future, as well as longer-term actions that will need to be studied further while monitoring how the climate continues to change and evaluating the effectiveness of actions taken. The GHG reduction goals of the CAAP were informed by the development assumptions of the adopted LUE and the General Plan buildout conditions, and the proposed CAAP would not alter the land uses designations or development assumptions in the 2019 Certified Program EIR. In order to comply with various State laws, including Senate Bill 1078 and Senate Bill 350, the proposed project includes strategies and measures related to renewable energy. In order to comply with Senate Bill 99, Assembly Bill 747, Senate Bill 1035, Senate Bill 1000, Senate Bill 379, Assembly 691, and Assembly 162, the proposed project includes strategies and measures related to climate change adaptation. In order to comply with Assembly Bill 32, Executive Order B-30-15, Senate Bill 32, and Executive Order B-55-18, the proposed project includes strategies and measures related to emissions reduction targets. In order to comply with Senate Bill 375 and Senate Bill 743, the proposed project includes strategies and measures related to transportation and land use. Required discretionary actions associated with the project include approval of the proposed CAAP, approval of text amendments to the Safety Element, and certification of the SEIR.

15 documents in project