* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: The Council President
At the request of: The Administration (Department of Planning)
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
Title
Baltimore City's Membership in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)'s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign
FOR the purpose of expressing approval for the City of Baltimore to join ICLEI as a full member, to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, and, as a participant, to pledge to take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change; and providing for a special effective date.
Body
WHEREAS, Scientific consensus has developed that carbon dioxide (CO_) and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth's climate; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, the U.S. National Climatic Data Center confirmed clear evidence of human influences on climate, due to changes in greenhouse gases; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed the 2005 U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement signed by more than 700 mayors in the United States, including the City of Baltimore; and
WHEREAS, The Urban Environmental Accords adopted by local government delegates during UN World Environment Day 2005 call for reduced emissions through energy efficiency, land use and transportation planning, waste reduction, and wiser energy management; and
WHEREAS, The 2000 U.S. Global Change Research Program's (USGCRP) First National Assessment indicated that global warming has begun; and
WHEREAS, 162 countries, including the United States, pledged under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, Local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for the local government, its businesses, and its residents; and
WHEREAS, The City of Baltimore has initiated a process to complete a Sustainability Plan and implementation program, established an Office of Sustainability, Environmental Sub-Cabinet and Sustainability Advisory Commission; and
WHEREAS, The Cities for Climate Protection_ Campaign sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) - Local Governments for Sustainability has invited the City of Baltimore to join ICLEI and become a partner in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore expresses approval for the City of Baltimore to join ICLEI as a full member, to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, and, as a participant, to pledge to take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Baltimore will undertake the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign's 5 milestones to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout the community, and specifically:
• Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the jurisdiction;
• Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;
• Develop an action plan with both existing and future actions that when implemented will meet the local greenhouse gas reduction target;
• Implement the action plan; and
• Monitor and report progress.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Baltimore requests assistance from ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign as it progresses through the milestones.
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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