The Metropolitan King County Council today adopted a motion urging aggressive, specific commitments to reducing King County’s greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring that King County is prepared for the impacts of climate change.

“These commitments are common-sense measures that can have a lasting, positive impact on our region and world,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “The effects of climate change are already evident and will get worse. King County must take decisive action.”

“King County is a nationally-recognized leader in the effort to reduce global warming, but we cannot rest on our previous accomplishments,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “We must continue to change the way we do business to reduce emissions.”

“This motion, along with our decision to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, are examples of King County’s commitment to protecting our health and that of our children and grandchildren,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “Global warming seriously threatens our economy and way of life. Waiting to act only increases the effect of climate change.”

The legislation builds upon the efforts of the County Executive, who has been integrating measures to address climate change into regular county operations. The proposal calls for increasing the use of biodiesel fuel in county buses to 20 percent, and sets specific targets for use of renewable energy sources. It commits King County to the creation of a Climate Change Mitigation and Preparedness Plan and related performance measures, with annual reporting requirements. It calls for the county to encourage transit use, facilitate the creation of walkable communities through its land use policies, and to update flood hazard and emergency plans to deal with climate change impacts.

The legislation further calls for King County to collaborate with other counties to create a model resolution for climate change and a climate change “tool kit,” including specific actions to address the effects of global warming that can be applied by other county governments. It calls for King County to work with state and national organizations of county governments to initiate a “Counties Climate Change Initiative.” This initiative would complement a national effort, spearheaded by the city of Seattle, to encourage cities to endorse a Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.

Phillips, Constantine and Ferguson were also sponsors of an ordinance adopted by the Council this summer authorizing King County’s membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange. In joining the Exchange, King County made a binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from county operations by 6 percent by 2010. If the County beats this emissions target, it will earn carbon credits that can be cashed out; if it falls short of the targets, it will need to purchase credits.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
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