“Through measures already implemented, the City of Santa Cruz generates energy from renewable sources that do not contribute to global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases equivalent to 33% of energy used by the City; combined with 13% renewable energy purchased from PG&E, this jumps to over 40%. As more measures are implemented, the City of Santa Cruz will become less dependent on energy sources that cause environmental degradation.” -City of Santa Cruz Website

About Santa Cruz

• Incorporated: March 31, 1866
• Population: 56,124 (2008)
• Location: 72 miles south of San Francisco on the northern edge of Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County
• Elevation: 36 feet
• Area: 15.6 square miles

Climate Action Activities

• ICLEI member
• U.S. Conference of Mayor Climate Protection Agreement Signatory
• Tree City USA
• Resilient Communities for America Agreement Signatory
• Established the Climate Action Program, 2007
• Established Climate Change Compact (partnership with UC Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County), 2007
• Completed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, February 2010
• Completed Climate Action Plan, September 2010
• Adopted “Green Building Regulations“, November 2005
• Adopted “Residential Green Building Program“, August 2008
• Established “Clean Ocean Business” program
  • Promote local businesses certified through Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program

Climate Action Resources

• Climate Action Program webpage
• Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Reduction Projects
• Climate Action Plan
• City of Santa Cruz Environmental Programs
• City of Santa Cruz Green Building Program
• “Santa Cruz Fights Global Warming” (list of the City’s key initiatives
• Changes to City of Santa Cruz Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging and Products Ordinance

Awards

Silver Beacon Award (2019)

Agency Energy Savings

• Gold Level, 18% (2017)
• Silver Level, 9% (2014)

Agency Natural Gas Savings

• Silver Level, 7% (2019)

Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions

• Gold Level, 15% (2015)

Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions

• Platinum Level, 23% (2017)

Sustainability Best Practices

• Platinum Level (2015)
• Silver Level (2014)