 Board sets new goal for further greenhouse gas reduction; wants more expansive climate plan
PIMA COUNTY May 6, 2025 – The Pima County Board of Supervisors in a 4-1 vote at its May 6 regular meeting renewed its commitment to reduce the effects of County operations on the climate and directed County staff to take actions and adopt policies that seek to mitigate or reverse the effect of climate change in the County.
Pima County first addressed climate change in 2007 when it adopted a Sustainability Action Plan for County Operations (SAPCO). The Board has repeatedly renewed the plan since then which has resulted in reduced water consumption, reduced waste and increased recycling, increased the stock of energy efficient buildings, increased use of renewable energy, most prominently solar, and increased the County’s fleet of electric vehicles.
The new resolution directs staff to move beyond a sustainability plan and craft a Climate Action Plan for County Operations (CAPCO) that, among other things, meets or exceeds the goals of 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and increases the County’s 2030 target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to 60 percent of 2021 levels. The previous target was 52 percent.
“Pima County has been a leader for nearly 20 years in taking direct action to reduce the impact of County operations on the climate. Today’s climate resolution continues to ensure the County not only leads by example but continues to follow the science and enact new and updated policies that address the broad range of effects climate change has on the health and well-being of County residents,” said Pima County Board Chair Rex Scott.
Climate change is more than just increased heat. Increasing heat, especially heat persistence, is causing a cascade of deleterious effects affecting public health, economic growth, environmental health, water supplies, and prosperity.
“Working to reverse climate change or reduce its effects makes economic sense,” said Scott DiBiase, director of the County Department of Environment Quality. “You won’t get a bill in the mail that says, ‘climate change costs,’ but you’re still paying for it. Think about how you have to run your air conditioner many more days of the year now, or how you have to water your landscape more to keep it alive during the longer, hotter summer, even if its xeriscape. That costs you money. It costs businesses more, too, and they pass those costs on to the consumer. We all pay the price for climate change one way or another.”
The new CAPCO plan will build on the priorities of SAPCO with an eye toward expanding beyond just County operations. Among the priorities are increased energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction; addressing extreme heat effects, including protecting the public health; tackling invasive species that are increasing wildfire risks and damage; ensuring future water supplies and overcoming periods of extreme drought; and reducing waste.
The resolution has 11 directives to County staff. Besides increasing the 2030 reduction to 60 Percent, other directives include:
- Develop strategies to address the growing risks of extreme heat, drought, and increased wildfire risk;
- Improve community resilience in vulnerable populations, public health, the regional workforce, and economic vitality;
- Develop internal County structures to ensure the goals of the CAPCO are met and improved upon;
- Continue to explore the innovative and effective strategies for carbon reduction;
- Expand the County’s climate efforts beyond County operations and develop regional partnerships that prioritize mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
- Seek funding opportunities beyond the County General Fund to implement innovative and effective strategies for carbon reduction projects.
The resolution requires staff to make quarterly reports to the Board on CAPCO progress.
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