A C40-Ready Framework for Local Climate Action in Santa Monica

Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole outlines the city's actions and policies to realize its ambitious C40 goals.

1 minute read

October 10, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By Clare Letmon


Pacific Ocean

Paper Cat / Shutterstock

Santa Monica recently passed its landmark Climate Action & Adaptation Plan, a blueprint for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Focusing on achieving zero waste, sustainable transportation, and zero net carbon buildings, the plan outlines a range of specific policies and actions to realize these ambitious goals. It also recognizes that climate change is already happening and outlines ways to ensure Santa Monica is "climate ready" through water self-sufficiency, preparing for coastal flooding and promoting low-carbon food supply and green ecosystems. 

Santa Monica’s City Manager Rick Cole tells The Planning Report: "our community never loses sight of our connection to the natural environment on which our quality of life and standard of living depend. We have a comprehensive plan for moving forward, but the hardest work lies ahead."

Read the full interview at The Planning Report.

Thursday, October 3, 2019 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

49 seconds ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

1 hour ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

2 hours ago - The Texas Tribune