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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Cover PageAGENDA ITEM COVER PAGE File ID: #2434 Resolution Sponsored by: Commissioner Ken Russell A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION OPPOSING THE UNITED STATES' WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PARIS AGREEMENT OF 2015 ON CLIMATE CHANGE; REITERATING COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS; RECOMMITTING TO THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMPACT; SUPPORTING ACCELERATION OF CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY; AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION AS TO AVAILABLE PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE ALLIANCES. City of Miami Legislation Resolution Enactment Number: R-17-0271 City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com File Number: 2434 Final Action Date:6/8/2017 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION OPPOSING THE UNITED STATES' WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PARIS AGREEMENT OF 2015 ON CLIMATE CHANGE; REITERATING COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS; RECOMMITTING TO THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMPACT; SUPPORTING ACCELERATION OF CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY; AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION AS TO AVAILABLE PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE ALLIANCES. WHEREAS, The City of Miami, Florida ("City"), is on the front lines in the battle against climate change, and is especially vulnerable to long-lasting climate changes impacting coastal communities as a result of sea level rise; and WHEREAS, frequent flooding, more frequent and powerful hurricanes, erosion, extreme heat, and decreased fresh water availability due to increased evaporation and saltwater intrusion have caused major shifts in the City's climate change priorities; and WHEREAS, the City has long acknowledged that global climate change, the sustainability of our environment and economy, and our overall quality of life are affected by the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy deployment, and adaptive measures as a part of national, state, and local strategies; and WHEREAS, on March 23, 2017, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 17-0146 formally recommending that the City join the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact as a municipal partner endorsing the Mayor's Climate Action Pledge; and WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement of 2015 ("Paris Agreement") was negotiated by representatives of one hundred ninety-five (195) national parties at the 21st Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement represents a significant step forward in global climate action where, for the first time in history, nearly every participating nation committed to taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change moving forward; and WHEREAS, the United States Presidential Administration's recent decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement reverses decades of American diplomatic leadership, cedes the development of a clean energy economy to China, Europe, and other nations, and raises the potential for harm to the American people and economy by increasing the likelihood of damaging climate impacts in the United States; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes the unique role of forward -thinking local, state, and national governments in providing leadership on climate and energy issues, the importance of a dual approach of reducing emissions and adapting to impacts to achieving long-term climate resilience, and the need for significant and immediate transformation of our energy sector; and WHEREAS, the City acknowledges the many regional and international efforts undertaken by local, state, and national governments, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations to pursue climate action consistent with the Paris Agreement, despite the recent withdrawal of the United States government; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The City Commission opposes the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Section 2. The City Commission reiterates its previous commitments to combating climate change and its effects on the residents of the City and other coastal communities. Section 3. The City Commission hereby recommits to the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Section 4. The City Commission supports acceleration of local and regional efforts to advance clean energy resources and the transition to a clean energy economy. Section 5. The City Commission directs the administration to evaluate regional and international alliances pursuing climate action consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and to propose recommendations for the City's participation in such alliances to the City Commission for consideration. Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor.' APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: ndez, City Attor ey ) 6/7/2017 1 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.