City's Climate Action Strategy

Climate Action Plan

The City adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that provides a strategic roadmap and menu of climate action options the City can prioritize for implementation.  If you have any questions regarding the City’s CAP, contact Karen Stewart at 425-257-7186 or kstewart@everettwa.gov.

Climate change on a global scale

Climate change is often talked about, but seldom understood. To break down the definition, climate is the "average" weather for a certain region. This includes everything from temperature to rain patterns. Although Earth's climate has been expected to change over time, it has been changing at a much more alarming rate due to rising levels of carbon dioxide, among other things. This has resulted in rising sea levels, droughts, extreme rainfall, and so much more. It has been determined, according to research done by the Washington State Department of Ecology, that reducing greenhouse emissions is the most significant way in which climate change can be reduced, or at the least, slowed.

Fighting climate change in Washington state

Through a mix of local and state-level leadership making the environment a top priority, as well as initiatives, issued by Governor Jay Inslee, and local cities taking action, Washington state is working to be ahead of the curve in the battle against climate change. Cities across the state, and the world, have joined together and signed onto America's Pledge on Climate

Learn more about how climate change is effecting our beautiful state on the Department of Ecology's website. According to an executive summary released in 2012, our state is "addressing this challenge and has adopted policies to reduce energy use, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and build a clean energy economy." Breaking it down even further, Everett has been taking notes and working to be progressive in the ways that we approach this challenge.

What current actions is Everett taking?

Since January 2001, the City of Everett has worked tirelessly to reduce its carbon footprint as a City organization, and has even come up with a Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations. We have done this not only through taking a "green" approach when it comes to our facilities and vehicles, but also in encouraging our more than 1,200 employees to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation, to work.

Everett is moving to electrify its Everett Transit bus fleet. Seven new all-electric buses will replace older diesel buses over the next two years, and we will continue to move toward a total replacement of carbon-emitting buses.

City staff is also working with the City Council to develop an updated Climate Action Plan (see above) that will keep us on an assertive path forward in reducing emissions in City operations and in educating the public about daily habits that can make a difference. We will also be seeking to work with Snohomish County, our neighboring cities and the state to adopt workable and effective strategies to reduce our carbon footprint.

View Everett's Carbon Wedge Analysis

Everett climate forecast Opens in new window(Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations)

Published materials include:

Learn more on the City's Climate Action Commitment page.

How is the City working to go green?

  1. Motor Vehicles Department (MVD)
  2. Reduce miles traveled
  3. Facilities going green
  4. Conserving fuel
  5. Parks resource reduction

The City of Everett has many ways to approach and combat climate change on a city government level. The biggest affect on climate change is related to transportation and how we travel.

According to the Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations (PDF), "the Snohomish PUD provides low-carbon electricity (81% hydropower as of 2014), and Everett’s carbon dioxide emissions primarily derive from transportation and direct natural gas use for heating. As a result, Everett could consider the following as top priorities for reduction:

1. Embracing cleaner vehicles and lower carbon fuels for transport

2. Reducing vehicle miles traveled

3. Reducing direct natural gas use for heating through energy conservation and building efficiency

The chart below offers strategies with potential partners that correspond to the top priority recommendations:

Climate reduction priorities
When every new vehicle with current emissions and better MPG is placed in service, it removes a vehicle with worse emissions and worse MPG from service.

Over time, regular fleet replacement has brought a reduction in emissions and a reduction in fuel usage. However, fleet additions (diesel and gas vehicles and equipment) have caused an increase in fuel usage that have negated some of the fuel savings and reduction in emissions of newer vehicles and equipment.

Below are ways that the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has been working to replace vehicles in the fleet:

  • Assisted with the specifications and purchase of electric-powered non-road vehicles and equipment
  • Assisted with the specifications and purchase of non-plug in hybrid vehicles, including 11 Toyota Prius and 16 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Police use only)
  • Assisted with the specifications and purchase of 4 electric, plug-in, low-speed vehicles, that are street legal
  • Ordered one fully electric vehicle and one plug-in hybrid vehicle for use by MVD as staff/pool vehicles, as well ordering one two station electric vehicle charger
  • Evaluate the cost/benefit of biodiesel B5 blend on a “by delivery” basis as compared to ULSD

What's next?

Your thoughts might be, "How can I play a part in reducing climate change in our region?" We have some great ideas for you to consider!

Provided is a list of things that you can to do reduce your carbon footprint on the world:

  • Trip chaining
    • Do you have several different stops that you know you're going to have to make? Why not wait until you can make them all at once in a single, swift errand run. Trip chaining cuts down on the amount of emissions your car produces from having to warm up after it's started each time. It's more convenient for you and the environment.
  • Out with the old light, in with the LED
    • Replacing light bulbs in your home are a small, but efficient, way to help work against climate change. Snohomish PUD has an instant-rebate program that rewards you with new lights and an efficient residency. Visit their website to check out other rebates and incentives to make your home more energy efficient as well.
  • It's electric!
    • Consider ditching the gas and going electric with your yard equipment. Electric lawnmowers, for instance, are less noisy, lower maintenance, and of course, don't use gas, which makes for releasing less damaging fumes into the air.
  • High efficiency appliances
    • Look for in-home appliances, such as washers and dryers, dishwashers, and more, that have the "He" logo on them, indicating high efficiency. These appliances save water and are more kind to the environment.
  • Take alternate modes of travel
    • Whether that's walking, riding your bike, taking the bus, or just carpooling with a friend or coworker, you can do your part to lessen your carbon footprint.