Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

A Coordinated Effort Climate change is a cross-cutting issue. Contributions of greenhouse gas emissions stem from activities across sectors and sources, from transportation and energy to buildings and materials management. Strategies to prepare for climate change cut across traditional disciplines, ranging from water and natural resource management to public health and safety. Multifaceted challenges require integrated solutions. Many of the solutions and strategies presented in this plan are not new, and many are already part of existing City plans, programs, and policies that are focused within individual City departments. This plan brings those solutions together in an integrated and strategic way to address the climate challenge, and where needed, proposes adjustments or expansions to meet climate goals. Implementing this plan requires forging relationships and coordinating across traditional departmental and stakeholder boundaries to form synergistic, efficient, and effective solutions. This plan primarily focuses on strategies and actions that Ashland’s City government can take to help address climate challenges. However, all parties have a role and must be a part of the solution , including Ashland residents, businesses, organizations, and government. This plan provides suggestions for actions that residents, visitors, businesses, and organizations can take to play their part in tackling climate change. “Combating climate change is a fundamental responsibility for everyone, everywhere. The status quo is clearly unacceptable. For the sake of future generations, making progress, together, as a community, is urgent.” Rich Rosenthal, Ashland City Councilor and Chair of the CEAP ad-hoc committee 25 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANCLIMATE CHANGE & ASHLAND