Item B: Land Use/Transportation Framework

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ATTACHMENTA An Action Plan for Eugene A Report from the Land Use and Transportation Sub-Committee (LUTSCO) of the Eugene Sustainability Commission. Adopted by the Sustainability Commission, April 21, 2010 The twin challenges of global climate change and declining world oil supply require effective local land use and transportation policies and actions to sustain our community’s economic, environmental and social health. Though many view these challenges as beyond the scope and ability of local government to address, they do inspire us to make decisions that will benefit the community, regardless of our ability to have an impact on a global scale. Historically, land use and transportation planning have not been well integrated, which has impeded efforts to use land and energy in the wisest ways. Going forward, we need community decision processes based on a clear understanding of the close interrelationship between land use and transportation systems and the impact of our choices on climate and energy consumption. On this foundation, our community can take actions to reduce its energy consumption and impacts on climate. Our community can also become better positioned to weather the economic and other challenges that may arise from repercussions of climate change and declining oil supply beyond the scope of local control. Integrated Challenges of Energy and Climate Change Require Integrated Decision Making and New Thinking The content of this document is built on a foundation of the following factors that were developed as the result of LUTSCO’s input from community policy makers, community members and widely available scientific data. 1. Climate change will adversely affect cities Scientific consensus on global climate change has generated action among policy makers at all scales in virtually every nation. City governments are at the forefront of climate action planning – and rightfully so, as a carbon-constrained economy and costly climate events will come home to roost at the municipal level. 2. Energy supplies and costs are becoming increasingly volatile Energy experts see global energy supply and demand on a collision course, with some predicting a repeat of 2008’s price spikes coming to world oil markets as soon as the economy recovers. All current information suggests that an economic recovery will be slow in coming and that the new economy will have higher unemployment, with its attendant social issues. Many observers believe we are entering a volatile time in energy markets, creating an urgent need to rethink business models and consumption patterns. 3. The nexus of land use and transportation is the key focal point Our economy’s greenhouse gas emissions result overwhelmingly from our dependence on fossil fuels, so these challenges are inextricably intertwined. Specifically, it is buildings and transportation – our Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100428\S100428B-attA.doc1