Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

NEXT STEPS The goals, strategies, and actions presented in this plan signify an ambitious step forward for the Ashland community. Although sustainable living, operations, and management is not new to Ashland, this plan pulls together the strong momentum and action that already exists in the city and provides a coordinated and intentional strategy going forward. Making progress on these goals will require Ashland’s government and community to work together and commit dedicated time and resources. This Climate and Energy Action Plan is only the beginning of an ongoing process. The accompanying Implementation Plan provides a framework for launching the implementation phase of the plan. This phase will require the City and community to take priority actions--outlining specific plans of action and resource needs among responsible parties--and monitoring and benchmarking progress along the way. As details are outlined, more specific quantitative goals and milestones can be created, driving the pace of strategy implementation. The Implementation Plan also details the proposed structure for ongoing plan implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management, as well as a list of key actions to be taken in the first year of implementation. It concludes with a discussion of how the goals and strategies of this plan fit with a potential ordinance establishing binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Through careful and committed action by all Ashlanders, and with this plan as a basis, the city can achieve its vision of becoming a resilient community that has zero-net greenhouse gas emissions, embraces equity, protects healthy ecosystems, and creates opportunities for future generations. 105 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANNEXT STEPS105ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANNEXT STEPS 105 105