Sustainability
“South San Francisco is a place where everyone can thrive. Its high quality of life, diverse and inclusive community, livable neighborhoods and excellent services, culture of innovation, and environmental leadership ensure all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.” -South San Francisco Climate Action Plan
Climate change is already affecting California and the San Francisco Bay Area, and these impacts are projected to worsen, even with only moderate increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Climate change is not only impacting our natural environment, but also threatening the health and economic vitality of communities across the state. The extent to which South San Francisco is impacted by climate change is dependent on our actions today. By curbing GHG emissions and adapting our community to the already changing environment, we can significantly reduce the damages incurred from climate change.
South San Francisco is in a unique position to become a regional climate leader by implementing city-wide policies, incentives, and education programs to deploy new technologies, to pilot regulatory mechanisms, and spark behavioral change to meet the deep greenhouse gas reduction targets established by the State of California.
In October 2022, the South San Francisco City Council adopted a new Climate Action Plan, which covers the areas of:
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Clean Energy
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Energy efficient building construction
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Multimodal, sustainable, livable, and connected transportation
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Water efficiency and a safe and resilient water supply
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Diversion of solid waste and organics from landfill
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Increases carbon removal in public lands, open spaces, and urban forest through marsh enhancement and tree planting
The Climate Action Plan provides an actionable blueprint for achieving the City’s climate action goals. Learn more about the Climate Action Plan’s bold goals below.
A Vision for Zero
The City has set bold goals to reduce GHG emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, reduce emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2040
- Equitably mitigate and address the impacts of climate change
- Realize the co-benefits of climate mitigation actions that help create a sustainable community
How Do We Get There?
South San Francisco will work to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and an 80% reduction of emissions by 2040 by building upon the progress the City has already made and adopting new emissions reduction strategies and actions. Together, these strategies and actions: (1) provide a framework for reaching carbon neutrality; (2) make South San Francisco more resilient to future climate impacts; and (3) have important social and economic benefits, such as addressing historic inequities, creating green jobs, increasing community green spaces, and improving public health.
The City focuses on the following key areas:
Clean Energy: A resilient and fossil-free energy system to reduce energy related greenhouse gas emissions as well as improve local air quality and public health.
Built Environment: Green buildings are the standard in South San Francisco for new construction and major renovations. The performance of existing buildings in South San Francisco is improved and decarbonized.
Transportation & Land Use: Transportation in South San Francisco will be safe, multimodal, sustainable, livable, and connected.
Solid Waste: The City continues to divert organics from landfill in accordance with State targets, meeting the requirements of SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act and reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to landfilled waste as well as cultivating behavior change around resource consumption.
Water and Wastewater: Water is used efficiently in South San Francisco to help ensure a safe and resilient water supply.
Carbon Sequestration and Natural Systems: The City increases carbon sequestration in public lands, open spaces, and the urban forest through the enhancement of natural systems and provide many quality-of-life and resiliency benefits in addition to emissions reductions.
City Leadership: The City demonstrates leadership with high-performing sustainable municipal buildings, facilities, landscaping, and parks.
How do I get involved?
Conserve
Check out ways to conserve water and electricity and get paid to do it!
Volunteer
Improve your community by planting and maintaining flowers and trees, cleaning up litter, and more! Consider joining a community service group like Improving Public Places.
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