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READ: One executive order for transportation and climate justice in Seattle with two pagers
On Wednesday, December 7, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed a new executive order directing city departments to work together to prioritize and expand actions that equitably reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. The actions are designed to invest in and build resilience among communities hardest hit by the climate crisis, expand workforce opportunities and improve the health of Seattle residents and workers – by improving air quality and making streets safer.
“We recognize the inherent connection between our infrastructure, transportation systems, climate and community well-being – meeting the scale of the climate crisis and fulfilling our commitment to strong and healthy communities requires addressing them together.” In this Executive Order on Transportation and Climate Justice, we connect ambitious policy ideas with our cooperation One Seattle an approach to advancing a climate justice agenda based on equity and the necessary actions necessary to build a healthy, sustainable, thriving Seattle today and for future generations.
Mayor Bruce Harrell
“Every year we struggle with more and more serious climate impacts. From floods this spring to drought this summer, with dangerous smoke and wildfires this fall, we see from our experience and data on greenhouse gas emissions that we must be far more aggressive in eliminating climate pollution and building resilience among our most vulnerable communities. That’s why we’re excited to bring innovative, bold, local solutions like neighborhood low-pollution zones and expanding carbon-free transportation options to achieve environmental equity and resilience through the Transportation and Climate Justice Executive Order.
Jessin Farrell, Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment
Traffic is responsible for 61% of greenhouse gas emissions in the city. According to the latest 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report, the City is currently not on track to meet carbon neutrality by 2050 as called for in the Climate Action Plan or to be climate pollution free by 2030 as called for in resolution of the Green New Deal. Mayor Harrell’s executive order directs city departments to accelerate climate investment and innovation, including:
- Plan three low-pollution neighborhoods by 2028. These actions will for the first time bring together the decarbonisation of buildings and transport with investment in community resilience, equity and economic opportunity.
- Commit to making 20 miles of Healthy Streets permanent. The City will update the Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan and update the Pedestrian Master Plan Implementation Plan to include Healthy Streets commitments and expand the Seattle School Streets program.
- Achieve a 100% zero-emission, fossil-fuel-free city fleet by 2030.. Leading by example, the City will ensure we have the basic electrification infrastructure and implementation plans in place to transition all City vehicles to be fossil fuel-free.
- Organize a Youth Transport Summit 2023. Building on community advocacy for youth-free transit, the City will bring young people together to learn how the pandemic has changed their transportation experiences and focus their voices on climate-responsive action.
Despite a reduction in emissions attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) downtown traffic monitoring indicates that emissions began to rebound in 2022 and that traffic volumes steadily increased between 2020 and 2022. Without significant action, emissions from city projects will return to baseline and continue to rise.
“Transportation pollution is over 60% of Seattle’s total carbon emissions.” Mayor Bruce Harrell’s executive order reinforces SDOT’s commitment to be bold and provide healthier, more affordable and fairer transportation options that support business vitality. We have a real opportunity to further democratize our public spaces, making them accessible destinations where the community thrives.”
SDOT Director Greg Spotts
A significant amount of emissions reductions will come from electrifying the vehicles that power everything that moves people, goods and services, relying on most of Seattle’s renewable and non-emitting, affordable and reliable electricity.
“Citi Light has embarked on the electrification path by prioritizing partnerships with the communities we serve – primarily those suffering the most health and environmental harms – to enable a just transition. As more people embrace the use of electric cars, trucks, ferries, buses and trains, Seattle City Light is working with public and private sector partners to meet the demand for charging options for these vehicles. This order gathers departments from all over the City in a One Seattle an approach that sets us on a coordinated path toward meeting our shared greenhouse gas emissions targets and delivering long-term benefits for the communities we serve.”
Emeka Anianwu, Energy Innovation and Resources Officer for Seattle City Light
The City of Seattle is also accelerating several significant policies and programs to reduce building emissions, including Building Emissions Performance Standards and the Clean Heat Program, which are projected to reduce building emissions by 35%. More information can be found at www.seattle.gov/environment.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
“Seattle has long been a leader in environmental action, but we must match the scale of the climate crisis with investments and innovations that reduce carbon pollution and support people’s ability to get where they need to be safely despite the drastic changes we’ve experienced.” during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thrilled to see the City centering important voices, such as youth, in these conversations and exploring low-emission neighborhoods that would, for the first time, link investments in building and transportation decarbonization with economic opportunity, health and resilience for community members. ”
Alex Hudson, Coalition for Transportation Choice
“Transitioning to a 100% zero emission fleet is not only a climate imperative, but an opportunity to reduce toxic air pollution and free ourselves from our reliance on volatile, expensive gas and diesel prices.” To achieve this, the City must immediately stop purchasing fossil fuel vehicles of all types, from cars to large trucks, and implement a city-wide plan to ensure this transition begins now, with individual departments addressing their specific challenges. Moving fleets of all sizes to zero emissions is a major goal for Climate Solutions here in the Pacific Northwest. We hope to see more cities take up and act on this promise, and we are eager to partner with the City of Seattle in making this effort a reality.
Leah Missik, Climate Solutions.
“Transforming our streets into places that are safe, accessible and enjoyable for people to walk, cycle, roll and play helps us achieve not only our climate goals, but also our equity, health and liveability goals as a city.” Making streets permanent and creating low-emission zones are a detrimental part of fulfilling our responsibilities as a city. If the city boldly implements these policies, we would inspire cities across the nation.
Clara Cantor, community organizer at Seattle Neighborhood Greenways.
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