- Climate Action Committee
- The Town's Climate Actions
The Town's Climate Actions
The Town is committed to protecting community health and wellbeing, including by taking measures to address climate change and its impacts. In December 2020, the Town Council affirmed this commitment to action by adopting a Climate Emergency Resolution. The Climate Action Committee was formed in 2022 to serve as the advisory body to the Town Council on matters related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the Climate Action Plan.
Climate Action Plan
In December 2020, the Town of Corte Madera updated its Climate Action Plan (CAP), which outlines strategies to reduce communitywide greenhouse gas emissions. The CAP aims to reduce emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, in line with the State of California’s goals. The Town’s Climate Action Committee advises the Town Council on implementation of the CAP.
For an overview of Corte Madera’s CAP, see the linked video or slides below from consultant Christine O’Rourke, who prepared the CAP.
Green Buildings
Natural gas use in buildings is responsible for 19 percent of Corte Madera’s greenhouse gas emissions, making building electrification an important strategy to reduce emissions. Electrification can also improve community health by reducing the use of natural gas, which contributes to poor indoor air quality and has been linked to an increase in respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Reach Codes
Jurisdictions across Marin County are taking local action to reduce natural gas use in buildings through policies known as reach codes. Corte Madera recently adopted an all-electric ordinance for new construction and is considering additional reach codes that would apply to remodels and additions. See the resources below for more information.
- Review the staff report for Corte Madera’s all-electric new construction ordinance. Staff will be initiating a process in early 2023 to consider additional energy efficiency requirements for remodels and additions.
- Learn about the model reach codes developed by Marin County for the 2022 code adoption cycle.
- Read the Marin County Grand Jury report on building electrification from June 2022 and Corte Madera’s response to the report.
Greening Town Facilities
- The Town is currently building a new Town Hall facility, which will be a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) and Zero Net Carbon (ZNC) building.
- Since 2017, the Town has purchased 100% renewable electricity for Town buildings through MCE Clean Energy’s Deep Green program.
Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP)
The Town participates in the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP), a partnership of all Marin cities and towns, the County of Marin, and the public agencies that serve Marin: MCE Clean Energy, Marin Water, and the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM). MCEP members collaborate on initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as green building codes and electric vehicle charging infrastructure plans. Visit MCEP’s website to learn more about regional efforts, other jurisdiction’s Climate Action Plans, and to track countywide progress on sustainability metrics.
MCEP’s Marin Sustainability Tracker map allows monitoring progress on GHG reductions, energy, transportation, waste, and water.