Sustainable_City_Plan.pdf

Sustainable City Plan

Transportation

Arts and Culture

Community Education and Civic Participation

Economic Development

Environmental and Public Health

Housing

Quality of Life

Resource Conservation

Open Space and Land Use

Introduction The City of Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Plan (SCP) was originally adopted on September 20, 1994. The early adoption of this comprehensive framework helped to guide decision-makers to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations. The SCP was designed to help us as a community begin to think, plan and act more sustainably. By evaluating the long-term impacts of our decisions, we can think about the future when as we make decisions about the present. With the early adoption of the SCP and Santa Monica’s leadership in sustainability, Santa Monica has paved the way for cities to implement similar programs and plans and Santa Monica is now recognized worldwide as a role model for sustainability.

Over the years, the City has adopted supplemental strategic plans to guide the City in meeting our key sustainability goals:

Since the SCP inception over a quarter century ago, the City has been successful in reaching targets and developing programs and policies to meet the remaining targets. While the City continues making strides to provide a sustainable and resilient community for all, there is still much work to be done. Now more than ever, it is important to understand that our local impact plays a much larger role in the global effort towards sustainability. We can all do our part to create a more sustainable and resilient community and continue thriving for current and future generations.

Sustainable Water Master Plan (2018) > Water Self-Sufficiency Zero Waste Strategic Plan update (2019) > Zero Waste by 2030

Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (2019) > Carbon Neutrality by 2050

“By evaluating the long-term impacts of our decisions, we can think about the future as we make decisions about the present.”

Shannon Parry Chief Sustainability Officer

History

SCP Performance Dashboard

Sustainable City Plan adopted The Task Force on the Environment and Sustainable City Program staff developed first Sustainable City Plan

Performance Dashboard Sustainable City Plan reporting conducted on an online performance dashboard

SCP updated The last SCP update adopted with modifications and a Sustainable Rights guiding principle.

Sustainable Rights Ordinance Ordinance adopted to protect the rights of nature and codified the Sustainable City Plan.

The City recognizes the importance of measuring performance of the Sustainable City Plan. This document outlines the different indicators the City is measuring. The City developed an online performance dashboard to showcase the performance of the indicators in the Sustainable City Plan.

These indicators are updated biennially.

This tool is intended to provide useful information to City Council, City staff, and community members on progress being made toward meeting goals and targets of the Plan, and will provide a basis for decision-making about policies and actions that influence the City’s ability to meet the goals and targets.

santamonica.gov/sustainable-city-plan

Sustainable City Plan Structure Goal areas

The Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan is organized into nine Goal Areas:

and Civic Participation

Within each Goal Area are specific goals which comprise the core of the community vision and represent what Santa Monica must achieve in order become a sustainable city.

For each goal area specific indicators have been developed to measure progress toward meeting the goals.

Indicators are tools that help to determine the condition of a system, or the impact of a program, policy, or action. When tracked over time indicators tell us if we are moving toward sustainability and provide us with useful information to assist with decision-making. Two types of indicators are tracked as part of the Sustainable City Plan: 1) System level indicators measure the state, condition, or pressures on a community-wide basis for each respective goal area. 2) Program level indicators measure the performance or effectiveness of specific programs, policies or actions taken by the city government or other stakeholders in the community.

Specific Targets have been created for many of the indicators. The targets represent aggressive yet achievable milestones for the community. Unless otherwise noted, the targets are for the year 2030.

For some indicators no specific numerical targets have been assigned. This was done where development of a numerical target was determined to be not feasible or where limits on data type and availability made it difficult to set a numerical target. In many of these cases a trend direction was substituted for a numerical target.

Goals Indicators Targets

Guiding Principles The Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan is founded on twelve Guiding Principles that provide the basis from which effective and sustainable decisions can be made. These Guiding Principles have been revised and updated from the versions initially adopted in 1994.

The Concept of Sustainability Guides City Policy Santa Monica is committed to meeting its existing needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The long-term impacts of policy choices will be considered to ensure a sustainable legacy.

Environmental Quality, Economic Health and Social Equity are Mutually Dependent Sustainability requires that our collective decisions as a city allow our economy and community members to continue to thrive without destroying the natural environment upon which we all depend. A healthy environment is integral to the city’s long-term economic and societal interests. In achieving a healthy environment, we must ensure that inequitable burdens are not placed on any one geographic or socioeconomic sector of the population and that the benefits of a sustainable community are accessible to all members of the community.

Protection, Preservation, and Restoration of the Natural Environment is a High Priority of the City Santa Monica is committed to protecting, preserving, and restoring the natural environment. City decision-making will be guided by a mandate to maximize environmental benefits and reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. The City will lead by example and encourage other community stakeholders to make a similar commitment to the environment.

All Decisions Have Implications to the Long-term Sustainability of Santa Monica The City will ensure that each of its policy decisions and programs are interconnected through the common bond of sustainability as expressed in these guiding principles. The policy and decision-making processes of the City will reflect our sustainability objectives. The City will lead by example and encourage other community stakeholders to use sustainability principles to guide their decisions and actions.

7 8 The City is Committed to Procurement Decisions which Minimize Negative Environmental and Social Impacts The procurement of products and services by the City, and Santa Monica residents, businesses and institutions results in environmental, social and economic impacts both in this country and in other areas of the world. The City will develop and abide by an environmentally and socially responsible procurement policy that emphasizes long-term values and will become a model for other public as well as private organizations. The City will advocate for and assist other local agencies, businesses and residents in adopting sustainable purchasing practices.

Those Sustainability Issues Most Important to the Community Will be Addressed First, and the Most Cost- Effective Programs and Policies Will be Selected The financial and human resources which are available to the City are limited. The City and the community will reevaluate its priorities and its programs and policies annually to ensure that the best possible investments in the future are being made. The evaluation of a program’s cost-effectiveness will be based on a complete analysis of the associated costs and benefits, including environmental and social costs and benefits.

5 6Community Awareness, Responsibility, Participation and Education are Key Elements of a Sustainable Community All community members, including individual citizens, community-based groups, businesses, schools, and other institutions must be aware of their impacts on the environmental, economic and social health of Santa Monica, must take responsibility for reducing or eliminating those impacts, and must take an active part in community efforts to address sustainability concerns. The City will therefore be a leader in the creation and sponsorship of education opportunities to support community awareness, responsibility and participation in cooperation with schools, colleges and other organizations in the community.

Santa Monica Recognizes The Connection with the Regional, National, and Global Community Local environmental, economic and social issues cannot be separated from their broader context. This relationship between local issues and regional, national and global issues will be recognized and acted upon in the City’s programs and policies. The City’s programs and policies should therefore be developed as models that can be emulated by other communities. The City will also act as a strong advocate for the development and implementation of model programs and innovative approaches by regional, state and federal government that embody the goals of sustainability.

Cross-sector Partnerships Are Necessary to Achieve Sustainable Goals Threats to the long-term sustainability of Santa Monica are multi-sector in their causes and require multi-sector solutions. Partnerships among the City government, businesses, residents and all community stakeholders are necessary to achieve a sustainable community.

The Precautionary Principle Provides a Complimentary Framework to Help Guide City Decision-Makers in the Pursuit of Sustainability Where threats of serious or irreversible damage to people or nature exist, lack of full scientific certainty about cause and effect shall not be viewed as sufficient reason for the City to not adopt mitigating measures to prevent the degradation of the environment or protect the health of its citizens. Public participation and an open and transparent decision-making process are critical to finding and selecting alternatives.

Santa Monica is Committed to Sustainable Rights for its Residents, Natural Communities and Ecosystems The Sustainability Bill of Rights codifies the commitments made in the Sustainable City Plan and asserts the fundamental rights of all Santa Monica residents regarding sustainability.

It establishes the rights of natural communities and ecosystems to exist and flourish in Santa Monica and asserts the rights of residents to enforce those rights on behalf of the environment.

Santa Monica is Committed to Equity and Inclusion Advancing equity and social diversity to improve the wellbeing of people who live, work, and do business in Santa Monica by cultivating an inclusive and fair environment where all people in Santa Monica, in particular disenfranchised communities of color, thrive in the areas of health, economic vitality, and connectedness.

Resource Conservation Goals

1. Significantly decrease overall community consumption, specifically the consumption of non-local, non-renewable, non-recyclable and non-recycled materials, water, and energy and fuels.

2. The City should take a leadership role in encouraging sustainable procurement, extended producer responsibility and should model innovative strategies to become a zero waste city.

3. Within renewable limits, encourage the use of local, non-polluting, renewable and recycled resources (water, energy, and material resources).

60% reduction in GHG emissions below 1990 levels (2020)

51.3% Santa Monica’s water supply sourced locally

FY 2021/22

94% customers receive

100% renewable energy through Clean Power

Alliance (2022)

Indicators 2030 Target Materials Recovery Total tonnage generation Do not exceed year 2000 levels Daily pounds per capita Reduce to 1.1 lbs/person/day Diversion percentage Achieve 95% diversion rate

Water Use Total citywide use (Per Capita) 25% Citywide reduction from 2013 baseline Total residential use (Per Capita) 25% Residential reduction from 2013 baseline Percent local vs. imported Increase to 90% local

Energy Use Total municipal use Reduce use 10% (baseline 2020) Total citywide use Reduce use 10% (baseline 2020)

Renewable Energy Use Total use from clean distributed generation in Santa Monica (Community)

Annual increase above 7.5 MW

Indicators 2030 Target Total use from clean distributed generation in Santa Monica (Municipal)

Annual increase above 490 kW

Percent of CPA customers with 100% renewable energy Maintain above 94%

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Community emissions (%) Reduce 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 Community emissions (mteco2) Reduce below 277,328 MTCO2e Emissions per capita Reduce below 1.9 MTCO2e per capita Municipal Emissions(mteco2) Annual decrease

Green Construction Percent of municipal buildings achieving LEED Gold or higher Increase to 100%

Total emissions from Building Sector Establish baseline/downward trend

Environmental and Public Health Goals

1. Protect and enhance environmental health and public health by minimizing and where possible eliminating:

a. The use of hazardous or toxic materials by residents, businesses and city operations;

b. The levels of pollutants entering the air, soil and water; and

c. The risks that environmental problems pose to human and ecological health.

2. Ensure that no one geographic or socioeconomic group in the city is being unfairly impacted by environmental pollution.

3. Increase consumption of fresh, locally produced, organic produce to promote public health and to minimize resource consumption and negative environmental impacts.

10,000 pounds of produce donated from community gardens FY 2021/22

$22.1m Santa Monica Farmers

Market gross sales in

FY 2021/22

Indicators 2030 Target Santa Monica Bay Wet weather warnings Downward trend Dry weather warnings Zero warnings

Air Quality Number of days exceeding Federal air quality standards Zero days ambient air quality standards exceeded

Air Quality Index Maintain below 50 AQI Purple Air Report Maintain below 50 AQI Days Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Zero days unhealthy for sensitive group

Residential Household Hazardous Waste Total volume collected Downward trend Percent of households participating Upward trend Number of participants Upward trend

Water Resilience Water Recycled Locally 1,000 acre feet per year/326 million gallons per year Stormwater and Urban Runoff Harvested for Reuse Over 40 million gallons per year Climate Risks Percent of residents living in Urban Heat Island (severe) Establish baseline/No annual increase Percent of residents living in Flood Hazardous Zones Establish baseline/No annual increase Percent of residents living in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Establish baseline/No annual increase

Public Health Percent of residents with current asthma Establish baseline/No annual increase Percent of residents with cancer Establish baseline/No annual increase Percent of residents with heart disease Establish baseline/No annual increase Percent of residents who experienced low birth weight Establish baseline/No annual increase Farmers Market Total Farmers Market sales Annual increase above $22 million Number of CalFresh participants Establish baseline/Annual increase Number of Organic vendors Annual increase Percent of local vendors Establish baseline/Annual increase Community Garden Number of people participating Annual increase above 750 Total square feet of community gardens Annual increase above 1,200 sq. ft.

Pounds of food generated by City-owned plots Annual increase above 10,000 pounds

Transportation Goals

1. Create a multi-modal transportation system that minimizes and, where possible, eliminates pollution and motor vehicle congestion while ensuring safe mobility and access for all without compromising our ability to protect public health and safety.

2. Facilitate a reduction in automobile dependency in favor of affordable alternative, sustainable modes of travel.

public electric vehicle chargers citywide

FY 2021/22

59% of fleet vehicles are alternative fuel vehicles

FY 2021/22

Indicators 2030 Target Modal Split

Percent of trips by type

An upward trend in the use of sustainable (bus, bike, pedestrian, rail) modes of transportation - Drive alone max: 60%, Bike + Walk + Transit minimum: 25%, Bike + Walk: 15%

Average vehicle ridership (AVR) of Santa Monica businesses with more than 50 employees Two

Pedestrian travel volumes Annual increase Bike traffic volumes Annual increase

Vehicles Miles Traveled Total vehicle miles traveled Downward trend Total emissions from VMT Downward trend VMT per capita Downward trend Percent of emission from VMT Downward trend

Pedestrian Facilities Complete sidewalks Annual increase Public/private pathways Annual increase Crosswalk enhancements Annual increase Signal Timing enhancements Annual increase Bike Facilities Percent of bike network completed 100%

Total miles of bike lanes and paths installed or upgraded Annual increase Total Bikeshare usage Annual increase Number of bikes parked by bike valet Annual increase

Alternative Fuel Vehicles Total vehicles registered in Santa Monica 10% reduction Percent of total vehicles categorized as ZEV/PZEV Annual percentage increase Total public EV Chargers 500 chargers Percent of the city fleet vehicles using alternative fuels 80% of fleet

Transit Ridership Annual ridership on Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (BBB) Annual increase Percent of riders on reduced or free pass programs (such as Go Pass and LIFE) 10% or more

Percent of customers using cash fares Less than 10% Percent of rides shared on MODE Establish baseline/Annual increase Transit Operations Percent of BBB fleet that is zero emissions 100% by 2030 Number of directional bus-only lane miles Annual increase Average Weekday Bus Miles per hour Annual increase Number of miles driven by zero emission buses Annual increase Travel Volumes Peak Hour Trips No net new PM trips Street Safety (Number of collisions) Vehicle-Vehicle Downward trend Vehicle-Pedestrian Downward trend Vehicle-Bicyclist Downward trend Bicyclist-Pedestrian Downward trend Bicyclist-Bicyclist Downward trend

Sustainable Local Economy Goals

1. Nurture a diverse, stable, local economy that supports basic needs of all segments of the community.

2. Businesses, organizations and local government agencies within Santa Monica continue to increase the efficiency of their use of resources through the adoption of sustainable business practices.

total Sustainable Quality

Award recipients (2022)

Indicators 2030 Target Income Diversity Total wages Annual increase

Percent of total economic activity/output by business sector (expressed as a percent of total wages)

No single sector shall be greater than 25% of total economic activity/output; and the top three sectors shall not be greater than 50% of total economic activity/output

Percent of Santa Monica households earning less than $35,000/ year No target

Percent of Santa Monica households earning more than $100,000/year No target

Jobs / Housing Balance Ratio of the number of jobs in Santa Monica to the amount of housing Ratio should approach 1

Percent of Santa Monica employees who reside in Santa Monica No target

Cost of Living Median household income in relation to cost of living No target

Median household income in relation to living wage standard 90% of median household incomes meet or exceed the living wage standard

Quality Job Creation Percent of new jobs created in Santa Monica that pay greater than or equal to the cost of living Upward trend

Green Business Program total participants

FY 2021/22

Economic Health Number of businesses No net loss Number of new businesses Annual increase Number of employees No net loss Unemployment Rate Downward trend Low Carbon Economy GHG emissions/Gross Domestic Product No target

Local Employment of City Staff Percent of city employees who live in SM No target Sustainable Business Community Number of Certified Green Businesses Annual Increase Number of Business Greening Program participants Annual increase Number of Buy Local business participants 10% annual increase Number of Sustainable Quality Awards Annual increase

Open Space and Land Use Goals

1. Develop and maintain a sufficient open space system so that it is diverse in uses and opportunities and includes natural function/wildlife habitat as well as passive and active recreation with an equitable distribution of parks, trees and pathways throughout the community.

2. Implement land use and transportation planning and policies to create compact, mixed-use projects, forming urban villages designed to maximize affordable housing and encourage walking, bicycling and the use of existing and future public transit systems.

3. Residents recognize that they share the local ecosystem with other living things that warrant respect and responsible stewardship.

Net tree gain

FY 2021/2022

acres of public open space in Santa Monica

Indicators 2030 Target Open Space Number of acres of public open space by type (including beaches, parks, public gathering places, gardens, and other public lands utilized as open space)

Upward trend

Percent of households living within 1/4 mile of open space 100%

Urban Forest Number of trees per neighborhood Upward trend

Net tree gain (public trees) 50% more trees annually than removed (includes public/private construction)

Percent of tree canopy coverage by neighborhood Upward trend

Housing Goal

Achieve and maintain a mix of affordable, livable and green housing types throughout the city for people of all socioeconomic/cultural/household groups (including seniors, families, singles, and disabled).

Indicators 2030 Target New Housing Percent produced at affordable rate Annual increase Percent produced at Market Rate No target

All Housing Percent of all housing at affordable rate Annual increase Percent of all housing at Market Rate No target

Homelessness Number of homeless individuals No target Number of homeless individuals served by shelters No target

Cost of Living Percent of tenants rent-burdened Downward trend Median household income in relation to cost of living No target

Production of Green Housing Percent of new and substantially-rehabilitated housing that achieves LEED certification at LEED Silver or higher Upward trend

Community Education and Civic Participation Goals

1. Community members of all ages participate actively and effectively in civic affairs and community improvement efforts.

2. Community members of all ages understand the basic principles of sustainability and use them to guide their decisions and actions - both personal and collective.

2,126 individuals attended a community sustainability event in FY 2021-22

79% registered voters in Santa

Monica voted in 2020 General Election

Indicators 2030 Target Civic Participation Percent of registered Santa Monica voters who voted Increase to 68% in off year elections Demographics of Boards and Commission members No target Percent of Santa Monica residents that are represented by an active neighborhood organization Upward trend

Youth Education Grade 3 students proficient in language arts At least 85% SMMUSD student graduation rate At least 91% SMMUSD student suspension rate Not to exceed 4.4% Percent of SMMUSD students who attend school daily At least 87% Percent of SMMUSD students who feel safe at school At least 67% Percent of SMMUSD students that complete college admission requirements At least 77%

Percent of children who are Kindergarten ready At least 70%

Sustainable Community Involvement Number of students who participate in sustainability program Upward trend

Number of individuals who participate in community sustainability programs Upward trend

Quality of Life Goals

1. Community members are able to meet their basic needs and are empowered to enhance the quality of their lives;

2. There is access among community members to housing, health services, education, economic opportunity, and cultural and recreational resources;

and

3. There is respect for and appreciation of the value added to the community by differences among its members in race, religion, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, disabilities, immigration status and other special needs.

72% residents live within

10-minute walk of open space (2017)

64% residents live within 1/2 of a grocery store or market

(2021)

Indicators 2030 Target Public Safety Crime rate per capita (property, violent) Downward trend Emergency Respone Times No net increase Number of incidents (homocide, rape, robbery, assault) Downward trend

Economic Charateristics Percent of residents living in poverty Downward trend Demographics of Poverty Rate Establish baseline/No target Demographics of Unemployment Establish baseline/No target Demographics of Median Income Establish baseline/No target

Educational Attainment Demographics of High School Diploma Establish baseline/No target Demographics of Graduation Rate Establish baseline/No target Demographics of Bachelor Degree Establish baseline/No target

Linguistic Isolation Percent of households that are limited English-speaking households Establish baseline/No target

Indicators Target Digital Access Percent of households without internet access Establish baseline/No target

Access to Goods and Service Percent of residents living within 1/2 mile of grocery store or market 100% Percent of residents living within 1/2 mile of open space 100%

Arts and Culture Goals

1. Retain and nurture Santa Monica’s arts community and resources.

2. Increase cultural participation and provide greater access to a diversity of cultural programs for all ages.

3. Enhance the long-term sustainability of the Santa Monica creative sector.

1,983 individuals employed in the creative sector (2020) creative-sector businesses in Santa Monica (2020)

Indicators 2030 Target Presence of artists Presence of artists No net loss

Creative Sector Activity People employed in the creative sector Annual increase Number of businesses No net loss Revenue produced No net loss

Presence of Opportunities for Cultural Participation Number of non-profit cultural organizations Annual increase Number of retail arts venues Annual increase

Support for the Arts Financial support for city arts grants Annual increase

Attendance and Participation Participation at city or city-funded cultural events Annual increase

Participation at non city-funded cultural events Annual increase

For more information please visit santamonica.gov/sustainable-city-plan