August 28th, 2024
Phase II focuses on community-wide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today joined local legislators and climate advocates for the signing of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Phase II, marking a major milestone in the county’s efforts to combat climate change and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
Monroe County’s Climate Action Plan is a comprehensive, strategic effort to address and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere and related environmental impacts associated with the changing climate.
Phase 1 of the CAP was adopted in 2022, and focuses on government operations with a goal to reduce the county’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 80% by 2050. Phase II provides a guiding framework for the entire community to consider that would support the voluntary reduction of GHGs.
“Climate change is not a distant threat; it’s a challenge we are facing here and now. The adoption of Phase II of the CAP emphasizes collaboration with local towns, villages and the private sector,” said County Executive Bello. “Thank you to the Department of Environmental Services for their vision and foresight, the County Legislature and the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee for their support of and commitment to creating a path to a cleaner, healthier and more resilient future.”
Phase II addresses the areas of transportation, housing, energy use and land and water resources, it will also focus on residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and all other energy-dependent activities that take place within Monroe County. Possible actions are wide ranging and include recommendations for residents such as planting native trees and using electric landscaping tools as well as businesses who can consider converting to LED lighting and geothermal HVAC systems.
“Actionable strategies and community cooperation are key to stopping further damage from what has become a true climate crisis,” said Michael Yudelson, Majority Leader of the Legislature and Co-chair of the CAP Advisory Committee. “After four years of hard work, this committee has produced a second phase ready to build on the first by focusing on the reduction of energy dependence in our county operations, and taking these efforts into our neighborhoods. We are hopeful the recommendations contained in the Plan will be embraced by the community in the interest of striving for a more sustainable future for everyone.”
“As each Town works to implement energy savings or other programs to help reduce the impacts of climate change, it is beneficial to be working towards a common goal and to share the successful ideas and solutions implemented in one town with the leaders of the other towns. Through the County’s Climate Action Plan and subsequent meetings of the Council of Governments of the Monroe County Supervisors Association, these ideas can be shared and new initiatives started,” said Henrietta Town Supervisor, Stephen Schultz.
Monroe County is beginning to implement the CAP Phase II recommendations; this includes the continued expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure and the implementation of the county’s Active Transportation Plan.
Monroe County was awarded $200,000 in funding in 2022 through New York State’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and funded by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund, to support the Climate Action Plan. DEC also awarded $150,000 for a Climate Vulnerability Assessment and $100,000 for an Organics Management Plan in 2022 through the CSC Program. Adopting Phase II also advances Monroe County in the CSC grant program, opening up further state grant opportunities for municipalities.
As part of its commitment to climate resilience, the county will also initiate a Climate Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation and Resiliency Plan starting in December 2024. For more information on Monroe County’s Climate Action Plan, visit monroecountyclimateaction.com.
