The Just Transition Overview
The passing of the Climate Emergency Resolution impacted the Just Transition Plan (JTP) that was in development since late 2018. The original aim of the JTP was to create an equitable transition to 100% renewable electricity through inclusive engagement and identifying actions to minimize the impact of the transition on underserved and underrepresented populations. The Climate Emergency Resolution created the opportunity to expand the focus of the JTP to include broader equitable climate action for frontline communities most impacted by climate change. Instead of creating a separate plan, the final equitable climate action recommendations were integrated into the Climate Action Recommendations Report.
The development of the JTP has occurred in two phases:
- Learn Where We Are Today
To learn about the current level of access to electrical energy services and programs, City staff reviewed national and local reports to identify potential lack of access to electric energy services and the interconnection between energy and community health and other basic needs. Next, to better understand low-to-medium income residents, in the summer of 2019 the City distributed a survey to 562 residents and held ten listening sessions.
2. Develop Program Recommendations
The development of program recommendations started in the Fall of 2019 by holding four Environment & Us Workshops to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of integrating equity into environmental actions and policy.
On October 8, 2019, Longmont City Council passed the Climate Emergency Resolution. This provided the opportunity to expand the focus of the just transition effort to equitable climate action. The final equitable climate action program recommendations were created by a Just Transition Plan (JTP) Committee, as detailed in the JTP Committee Equity Recommendations section of the Climate Action Recommendations Report.
Equitable Climate Action Team (ECAT)
The Equitable Climate Action Team (formally the JTP Committee) was formed in January of 2020. The team is a City staff led group of community members that work to assist in implementing equitable climate action through community education, outreach, and the evaluation of City programs to ensure equitable outcomes.
