Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

Climate and Equity Equity is central to addressing clim ate change. Many of the countries most responsible for contributing to climate change, such as the United States, will not bear the brunt of global climate change impacts. Countries and communities that were not large historical emitters of greenhouse gases, such as small island nations, Arctic villages, and developing coastal communities, are facing a rapidly changing environment of thawing ice, flooded coasts, and extreme storms. Many of these communities do not have the resources or capabilities to protect, restore, or adapt to these changing conditions. It is the responsibility of the United States and its communities, as historical and current contributors to the problem, to be a committed and proportionate part of the solution. This plan provides a foundation for ensuring that Ashland contributes to being part of the climate change solution. Climate change will also have a disproportionate impact on some local populations. In Ashland, elderly, low-income, disabled, and minority populations will be most vulnerable to many changing climate conditions, such as threats from severe heat, wildfire smoke exposure, and flooding.6 These populations may also suffer from other secondary impacts of climate change, such as risks to seasonal employment and agricultural productivity. Ashland will need to commit special focus when implementing all actions in this plan to ensure the continued and improved prosperity and quality of life of these populations in the face of a changing climate. Actions to address these inequities, such as reducing urban heat islands or providing disaster preparedness assistance to at-risk communities, will pay dividends not just for those populations but also for the greater Ashland community. When everyone is healthy, employed, and safe, the community enjoys greater economic and social stability and prosperity. Elements of the Plan that Emphasize Equity Equity is integrated throughout Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan. For example, the following plan elements emphasize and address equitable climate action: • An ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction target that acknowledges the responsibility of developed societies to minimize harmful impacts to those who did not contribute to the problem. • Actions that focus on supporting vulnerable populations , who will disproportionately suffer from many climate change impacts. • Including equity in prioritization criteria for evaluating potential actions. • Progress indicators that track equitable implementation of the plan, such as percent of Ashland residents experiencing health issues or with access to cooling centers. • An implementation plan that calls for equity to be considered in the implementation phase of every action. 44 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANVISION FOR THE FUTURE