Pacifica’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is an essential roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change. It outlines specific actions the City can take to address climate issues across various sectors like energy, transportation, waste, and water. The plan includes measurable goals, strategies for reducing emissions, and a way to track progress over time.
In July 2014, the Pacifica City Council adopted its first Climate Action Plan (CAP), which provided policy direction and identified 15 GHG reduction measures across four main sources: energy, transportation, solid waste, and water. These measures were designed to guide both the City and community in significantly reducing GHG emissions.
Since the adoption of the 2014 CAP, the City has implemented several tangible actions aimed at reducing GHG emissions. While the City has not had the ability to quantify the effects of these actions in recent years, such as through the 2016 Implementation and 2017 Implementation Reports, these efforts remain important contributions to the City’s ongoing work toward sustainability and GHG reductions.
Given advances in climate science, policy changes, and a growing need for climate adaptation strategies, the City Council established the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Task Force in May 2023 through Resolution No. 50-2023. The Task Force began its work in September 2023 to update the original plan and expand its scope to include climate adaptation measures alongside emissions reductions. The updated CAAP aims to be both ambitious in meeting emissions reduction goals and practical in terms of implementation.
Photo: MIG, a consulting firm specializing in community engagement and climate action planning, partnered with the City of Pacifica to facilitate focus groups for community feedback on the updated Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. These sessions brought together key stakeholders, including community-based organizations, youth, and residents, to share insights and co-create solutions for a more resilient and sustainable Pacifica. Loteria graphics and content were created by MIG Consulting, INC.
Task Force members
City Council appointed 11 volunteers (9 are currently serving) to implement the new Climate Action Plan for the City. For the past 20 months, these volunteers have dedicated their time, knowledge, and most importantly, their commitment to Climate Action for their community. The members are as follows:
Monica Meagher (Chair), Kai Martin (Vice Chair), Margo Meiman, Dave Plumb, Carl Schwab, Nancy Tierney, Rick Nahass, Maria Barr, and Kim Finale.
The 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) focuses on four key goal areas, each supported by subcommittees tasked with researching and implementing specific actions:
Transportation and Land Use (TLUS)
Emissions Reduction and Energy (ERES)
Food and Consumption (FACS)
Resilience and Adaptation (RAS)
Latest News & Updates
The public comment period for the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which opened on February 19th and closed on March 16th, is now over.
Next Steps
Review and feedback implementation
On March 25th, 2025, the Task Force will make adjustments to the draft plan based on the comment made by the public, City staff, and direction from the City Council. The final version of the plan will be prepared for formal adoption by the City Council in late Spring 2025. The draft has then been sent to Rincon Consultants, INC., who have been asked to complete the following to support the CAAP Task Force in finalizing the draft CAAP. Their goals are to:
Compile research into a structured and formalized format and to document methodologies used for the research. The Consultants will be conducting interviews with each subcommittee during this process.
Transform the document into a policy document to improve organization, incorporate visuals, graphics, and provide clarity.
Perform a critical analysis to evaluate completeness of proposed actions to ensure it aligns with policy objectives, and if its implementable for the City.
Anticipated Timeline:
Final Draft Preparation: Early Spring 2025
Council Consideration & Adoption: Late Spring 2025
How You Can Get Involved
This is your chance to help shape Pacifica’s climate future! Here’s how you can get involved:
Sign up for updates to stay informed about future developments and opportunities for involvement.
Events happening in April
The Youth Art Competiton facilitation is over. If you couldn’t attend, your child can still participate! Email Brittany Hernandez (bhernandez@pacifica.gov) & Maria Barr (mbarr@ci.pacifica.ca.us) to coordinate supply pick-up if needed and canvas drop-off during April 14–20 at the Community Development Department office located at 1800 Francisco Boulevard, Pacifica, CA, 94044.
Submissions for the Youth Art Competition on April 12th.
For those who participated in this event, we will post more information about selection on this website!
Task Force at Pelican Fest — Bring your friends and family out on April 26th, 2025, for Earth Day festivities hosted by Pacifica Beach Coalition. We have a booth available for Climate Jeopardy, and more! PelicanFest 2025: An Earth Day Celebration at Linda Mar State Beach - Pacific Beach Coalition. The community will have their input for the selecting one art piece for the COVER of the Climate Action Plan! All art submissions will be reflected throughout the document and the public will have access to it in late May or early June of 2025.
Photo: MIG Consulting, Inc.
Contact & More Information
The CAAP Task Force meets on the third Tuesday of every month.
Location:
Community Development & Engineering Building
1800 Francisco Boulevard
Pacifica, CA 94044
Meeting agendas are emailed to subscribers and posted on the City’s website.
Links and Guides
For those looking to reduce waste at home, at work, or at school —
Here is what Pacifica and the rest of the Bay Area is doing —
Plan Pacifica - Help Shape Pacifica’s Future!
The current process to update the Housing Element of the General Plan and Local Coastal Land Use Plan relies on vital input, visioning and feedback from the community.
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See the Resource Library for related Sharp Park Specific Plan materials