Hugging Face's logo

Spaces:
vanderbilt-dsi
/
climate-plan-summary-tool
Running

App Files Community
climate-plan-summary-tool / CAPS_Summaries /Atlanta, GA Resiliency Plan 2017_Summary.md
umangchaudhry's picture
umangchaudhry
Upload 79 files
63fb9ad verified
preview code
|
raw
history blame
38.1 kB

Question: Describe the physical and economic landscape of the jurisdiction as outlined in the plan. Include the name of the planning jurisdiction, its location, population, demographics, and average income. Include major geographic features such as mountains, rivers, deserts, and coastline, as well as any key infrastructure like airports or seaports. Highlight details about the local climate, including any mentions of aridity or water challenges. Additionally, summarize the city’s energy production (oil, gas, renewables) and natural resources, and provide information about industries and economic drivers that are crucial to the region.

Answer: Jurisdiction Name and Location:

  • City: Atlanta
  • State: Georgia, United States

Population and Demographics:

  • Current Population: 473,000 as of 2016
  • Projected Population Growth: The wider 20-county Atlanta region is expected to grow from 5.6 million to 8.0 million people by 2040.
  • Demographic Changes: Atlanta is one of the most ethnically integrated cities in the U.S., with significant demographic shifts including an increase in the majority-minority population in some counties.

Economic Landscape:

  • Economic Output: The City of Atlanta contributes 59 percent of the State’s economic output, despite comprising only 4.8 percent of the State’s population.
  • Major Economic Drivers: Atlanta is home to 15 Fortune 500 companies, serving as key contributors to the economic vitality of the Metro region.
  • Key Industries: The city has a robust industrial sector with ties to the railroads and a burgeoning business sector.

Geographic Features and Infrastructure:

  • Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the most traveled airport in the world for daily passenger flights.
  • Transportation Hub: Atlanta's strategic position contributes to its role as a transportation hub for both the country and the world.
  • Region Composition: Metro Atlanta consists of 29 counties.

Local Climate and Environmental Challenges:

  • The document does not explicitly mention aridity or specific water challenges, but it does discuss the need for managing stormwater and improving water system infrastructure.

Energy Production and Natural Resources:

  • Clean Energy Commitment: Atlanta has committed to achieving 100 percent use of clean energy citywide by 2035 and for municipal operations by 2025.
  • Innovative Energy Approaches: Includes retrofitting municipal facilities for energy efficiency, developing a property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing program, and installing solar on city facilities.

Industries and Economic Drivers:

  • Economic Growth: The region is experiencing robust growth in population and jobs, with an expected addition of 2.5 million people and 1 million jobs by 2040.
  • Major Corporations: The presence of major corporations serves as economic drivers and contributors to the region's civic, social, and philanthropic vitality.

The plan highlights Atlanta's strengths in regional growth and diversity while addressing key challenges such as economic inequality and infrastructure deficiencies.

Question: To what extent does the plan address resilience, mitigation, and adaptation? After providing a brief summary of how it addresses each component, classify the plan as a whole as one of the following: mitigation dedicated, adaptation/resilience dedicated, mitigation only climate action plan, mitigation primary climate action plan, equal mitigation and adaptation climate action plan, or sustainable/green plan.

Answer: Resilience

The plan emphasizes resilience by establishing a comprehensive framework to address the city's vulnerabilities and build capacity among residents and city systems. Key actions include fostering community cohesion, enhancing natural and man-made assets, and ensuring continuity of critical services. The resilience strategy is organized into four leading visions, such as "Build Our Future City Today" and "Design Our Systems to Reflect Our Values," which aim to create a more equitable and inclusive city while improving the efficiency and usability of city systems. Notable initiatives include improving responsiveness to stormwater flooding and creating an equity and resilience scorecard to guide decision-making. As stated, "The Strategy is organized into four leading Visions which reflect residents’ and stakeholders’ aspirations for Atlanta’s future" (Introduction Executive Summary).

Mitigation

While the plan includes some mitigation strategies, such as transitioning to 100 percent clean energy citywide by 2035 and promoting the use of solar energy, its focus on mitigation is less pronounced than adaptation and resilience. The plan mentions efforts to install sustainable energy- and water-efficient infrastructure and increase solar energy usage as part of its broader strategy. For instance, "Atlanta committed to transition to 100 percent clean energy citywide by the year 2035" (Target 4.3).

Adaptation

Adaptation is a significant focus of the plan, with multiple actions aiming to adapt city systems to climate impacts and improve citywide resilience. These include expanding greenspaces, improving stormwater management, and creating initiatives to protect and expand the city's tree canopy. A considerable effort is made to integrate climate adaptation into city planning, as seen in initiatives like the stormwater utility fee to fund comprehensive stormwater management programs. The plan's vision is to "facilitate the development of an equitable and inclusive city while preserving and expanding Atlanta’s natural environment" (Vision 3: Build Our Future City Today).

Classification

The plan can be classified as adaptation/resilience dedicated, as it primarily focuses on building resilience and adapting city systems to better withstand climate impacts, with a secondary emphasis on mitigation strategies.

Question: Does the plan describe a scenario of climate change the planning jurisdiction will face and for which it is planning climate policies for resilience, mitigation, and adaptation? If so, please summarize any such scenario.

Answer: The plan does not explicitly describe a specific scenario of climate change that the planning jurisdiction will face. However, it outlines a comprehensive strategy to build resilience, mitigate, and adapt to various climate-related challenges. The strategy is organized into four leading Visions, each with specific Targets and Actions designed to address the region's most pressing stresses and to build capacity to withstand future shocks. The plan emphasizes addressing economic inequality, housing insecurity, environmental stresses, and infrastructure deficiencies, among others, which are indirectly related to climate change impacts. The focus is on building a more resilient and equitable Atlanta that can adapt to future changes.

Question: What climate hazards does the plan identify as presenting climate risks for the planning jurisdiction? For each identified climate hazard, summarize the plan’s description of: 1. The climate hazard. 2. The climate risks it poses to the planning jurisdiction. 3. Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability to the identified climate hazard.Generate a numbered list of every hazard identified in the plan. Make the list as long as necessary to accomodate every single hazard.

Answer: 1. Drought

  • The climate hazard: "However, as one of the few U.S. metropolitan areas not built around a major local body of water, the city is particularly vulnerable to drought. Exceptionally low amounts of rainfall in the region since 2007 have put increasing pressure on the city’s water supply and recently caused Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division to declare a Level 2 drought." (Introduction Atlanta’s Resilience Challenges)

  • The climate risks it poses to the planning jurisdiction: The drought conditions have put increasing pressure on the city’s water supply, which is a critical concern given the city’s limited water reserve capacity.

  • Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability: The entire city is vulnerable due to its lack of a major local water body and limited water reserves.

2. Flooding

  • The climate hazard: "In September 2009, Atlanta experienced historic flash flooding, which resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and the loss of at least ten lives. The flooding was so extreme that in one 24-hour period some counties in the region saw more than 20 inches of rain." (Introduction Atlanta’s Resilience Challenges)

  • The climate risks it poses to the planning jurisdiction: Infrastructure damage, economic impacts, and loss of life are significant risks associated with flooding in the region.

  • Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability: Areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those with existing infrastructural deficiencies like "concrete surfaces, overfilled sewers, and blocked storm drains."

3. High Temperatures

  • The climate hazard: "Increasing temperatures and number of days with high temperatures pose a risk to Atlanta’s residents and the environment... Assuming greenhouse gas emission trends continue through 2100, within the next century Atlanta will be above 95 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three months per year." (Introduction Atlanta’s Resilience Challenges)

  • The climate risks it poses to the planning jurisdiction: High temperatures are especially dangerous for vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly, and those living without access to air conditioning will be disproportionately impacted.

  • Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability: Vulnerable populations, particularly those without access to air conditioning.

4. Water Supply Reliability

  • The climate hazard: "Reliability and access to water, however, will continue to be a resilience issue for Atlanta." (Introduction Atlanta’s Resilience Challenges)

  • The climate risks it poses to the planning jurisdiction: Ongoing concerns about consistent access to water, compounded by drought conditions, pose risks to public health and the local economy.

  • Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability: The general population is vulnerable due to the city's limited water reserve capacity, exacerbated by drought conditions.

Question: What resilience options are identified in the plan? For each option, summarize: 1. The specific climate threat it addresses; 2. Details on cost, timeframe, and location, including any references found in tables, charts, or images that might contain this data; 3. Other important attributes, such as economic, environmental, or infrastructural considerations.

Answer: Resilience Options Identified in the Plan

  1. Establish a system and evaluation process for joint-infrastructure investments by 2020

    • Climate Threat Addressed: Not explicitly mentioned, but improving infrastructure planning can help address climate impacts like extreme weather and infrastructure failure.
    • Cost, Timeframe, and Location:
      • Funding: Unfunded
      • Timeframe: Long-term; 2018 Q4
    • Other Attributes:
      • Resilience Value: Fosters Long-Term and Integrated Planning; Promotes Leadership and Effective Management
      • Lead Partners: CoA Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Delivery, All City general fund departments, Atlanta City Council
      • Metrics: Number of new cross-departmental programs implemented, $ change in long-term capital and operating budgets, $ change in short-term and long-term repair costs

  2. Improve responsiveness to Stormwater Flooding

    • Climate Threat Addressed: Stormwater flooding
    • Cost, Timeframe, and Location:
      • Funding: Partially Funded; CoA “SWIT”
      • Timeframe: Short-term; 2017 Q4 launch
    • Other Attributes:
      • Resilience Value: Enhances and Provides Protective Natural and Manmade Assets; Ensures Continuity of Critical Services
      • Lead Partners: CoA Department of Watershed Management, CoA Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness
      • Metrics: Number of potential projects identified resulting in reduction of legacy stormwater projects, number of projects identified and included in annual budgeting cycle, number of projects identified for FEMA pre-disaster mitigation funding

  3. Create a stormwater utility fee to develop and fund a comprehensive stormwater management program

    • Climate Threat Addressed: Flooding and water management challenges
    • Cost, Timeframe, and Location:
      • Funding: Fully Funded; CoA Department of Watershed Management
      • Timeframe: Medium-term; 2017 Q4 Phase 1 launch
    • Other Attributes:
      • Resilience Value: Ensures Continuity of Critical Services; Enhances and Provides Protective Natural and Man-Made Assets
      • Lead Partners: CoA Department of Watershed Management, CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience
      • Metrics: Volume of pollutants captured by installed Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMPs), number of BMPs installed, number of flooding incidents citywide and at FEMA recognized flood-prone areas, $ collected through stormwater utility fee

  4. Increase use and access to solar energy by 2020 through the creation of Solarize Atlanta

    • Climate Threat Addressed: Energy sustainability and GHG emissions
    • Cost, Timeframe, and Location:
      • Funding: Partially Funded; Program Participants
      • Timeframe: Short-term; 2017 Q4
    • Other Attributes:
      • Resilience Value: Meets Basic Needs; Ensures Continuity of Critical Services
      • Lead Partners: Solar CrowdSource, Environment Georgia, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience
      • Metrics: Number of residences, nonprofits, and businesses using solar energy, number of megawatts of solar capacity installed, number of rooftop installations in each sector

  5. Protect and expand Atlanta’s tree canopy

    • Climate Threat Addressed: Urban heat and air quality
    • Cost, Timeframe, and Location:
      • Funding: Fully Funded; CoA Tree Recompense Fund
      • Timeframe: Long-term; 2018 Q2 launch
    • Other Attributes:
      • Resilience Value: Enhances and Provides Protective Natural and Man-made Assets; Ensures Public Health Services
      • Lead Partners: CoA Department of City Planning, City of Atlanta, CoA Department of Parks & Recreation
      • Metrics: Number of acres of forested property purchased and under City management, number of trees planted on City-owned properties

These resilience options aim to address various climate threats through infrastructural improvements, environmental protections, and sustainable practices, contributing to economic, environmental, and social benefits for Atlanta.

Question: What mitigation options does the plan identify? For each identified mitigation option, summarize the information provided in the plan regarding cost, timing, location, and other important attributes.

Answer: Mitigation Options Identified in the Plan:

  1. Restaurant Water-Efficiency Program

    • Description: This program aims to reduce waste and water costs.
    • Cost: Fully Funded by 100 Resilient Cities and CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience.
    • Timing: Short-term, launched in 2017 Q4.
    • Location: City of Atlanta.
    • Important Attributes: Metrics include the number of WaterSense pre-rinse spray valves installed, toilets and urinals installed, restaurants participating, gallons conserved, and changes in water bills. (3.5.1)

  2. Stormwater Utility Fee

    • Description: The fee is created to fund green infrastructure improvements.
    • Cost: Fully Funded by CoA Department of Watershed Management.
    • Timing: Medium-term, Phase 1 launched in 2017 Q4.
    • Location: Citywide, especially in flood-prone areas.
    • Important Attributes: Metrics include the volume of pollutants captured by installed Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMPs), number of BMPs installed, flooding incidents, and revenue collected through the fee. (3.5.2)

  3. Solarize Atlanta

    • Description: This initiative increases the use and access to solar energy.
    • Cost: Partially Funded by Program Participants.
    • Timing: Short-term, launched in 2017 Q4.
    • Location: Targeted at residences, nonprofits, and businesses in Atlanta.
    • Important Attributes: Metrics include the number of residences, nonprofits, and businesses using solar energy, megawatts of solar capacity installed, and rooftop installations in each sector. (3.5.3)

  4. Clean Energy Atlanta – PACE Financing

    • Description: A $500 million commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program.
    • Cost: Not specified in the plan.
    • Timing: No specific timeframe mentioned.
    • Location: Constituents in Atlanta.
    • Important Attributes: Supports energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy, and water efficiency improvements. (Clean Energy Atlanta – PACE Financing)

  5. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Adoption

    • Description: Transitioning the City fleet to 20% electric vehicles and 12% other alternative fuel vehicles by 2020.
    • Cost: Not specified in the plan.
    • Timing: Target by 2020.
    • Location: City fleet.
    • Important Attributes: Policies to encourage public adoption of alternative fuel vehicles. (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Adoption)

  6. Sustainable Building Ordinance

    • Description: Requires City-owned properties to obtain LEED Silver certification for new construction and major renovation.
    • Cost: Not specified in the plan.
    • Timing: No specific timeframe mentioned.
    • Location: City-owned properties greater than 5,000 square feet.
    • Important Attributes: Properties greater than 25,000 square feet required to obtain LEED Certification for Existing Buildings. (Sustainable Building Ordinance)

  7. Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge

    • Description: Aims to improve energy and water efficiency by 20% by 2020.
    • Cost: Not specified in the plan.
    • Timing: Target by 2020.
    • Location: Commercial buildings in Atlanta.
    • Important Attributes: Over 114 million square feet of commercial building space committed. (Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge)

  8. Commercial Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency Ordinance

    • Description: Requires annual energy and water benchmarking, as well as audits, in commercial buildings.
    • Cost: Not specified in the plan.
    • Timing: Not specified.
    • Location: Commercial buildings greater than 25,000 square feet.
    • Important Attributes: Encourages improvements in energy and water efficiency. (Commercial Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency Ordinance)

  9. Solar Atlanta

    • Description: Installing 1.5 MW of solar capacity on 24 municipal properties.
    • Cost: Not specified in the plan.
    • Timing: No specific timeframe mentioned.
    • Location: Municipal properties in Atlanta.
    • Important Attributes: Demonstrates the City’s leadership in solar energy adoption. (Solar Atlanta)

Question: What mitigation options does the plan identify? For each identified mitigation option, summarize the information provided in the plan regarding cost, timeframe, location, and other important attributes.

Answer: The plan identifies several mitigation options, which are summarized below with their respective attributes:

  1. Clean Energy Atlanta – PACE Financing

    • Description: A $500 million commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program to fund energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy, and water efficiency improvements.
    • Cost: $500 million.
    • Lead Partner: Invest Atlanta, CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience.
    • Funding: Partially Funded.
    • Attributes: Targets improvements in energy and water efficiency.

  2. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Adoption

    • Description: Transitioning the City fleet to 20% electric vehicles and 12% other alternative fuel vehicles by 2020.
    • Lead Partner: CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience, Vision Ridge, The Electrification Coalition.
    • Timeframe: By 2020.
    • Attributes: Encourages public adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.

  3. Sustainable Building Ordinance

    • Description: Requires city-owned properties to obtain LEED Silver certification for new construction and major renovation in properties greater than 5,000 square feet; properties greater than 25,000 square feet must obtain LEED Certification for Existing Buildings.
    • Lead Partner: CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience.
    • Attributes: Promotes sustainable building practices.

  4. Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge

    • Description: Involves 114+ million square feet of commercial building space committed to improving energy and water efficiency by 20% by 2020.
    • Lead Partners: CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience, Central Atlanta Progress, Midtown Alliance, Livable Buckhead, Southface Energy Institute.
    • Timeframe: By 2020.
    • Attributes: Enhances energy and water efficiency in commercial buildings.

  5. Commercial Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency Ordinance

    • Description: Requires annual energy and water benchmarking, as well as energy and water audits in commercial buildings greater than 25,000 square feet.
    • Lead Partner: CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience.
    • Attributes: Aims to improve energy and water efficiency in large commercial buildings.

  6. Solar Atlanta

    • Description: Installing 1.5 MW of solar capacity on 24 municipal properties.
    • Lead Partner: CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience.
    • Attributes: Increases solar energy capacity on municipal properties.

  7. Energy Savings Performance Contract

    • Description: Upgrades to 100 municipal properties with energy efficiency, water efficiency, and operational improvements.
    • Lead Partner: CoA Mayor’s Office of Resilience, Office of Enterprise Assets Management, Department of Watershed Management, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
    • Attributes: Reduces carbon emissions while saving taxpayer dollars.
    • Funding: Partially funded.

These options provide a range of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, adoption of alternative fuels, sustainable construction practices, and increased use of renewable energy.

Question: What adaptation options does the plan identify? For each identified adaptation option, summarize: 1. The climate threat it is addressing. 2. Information provided in the plan regarding cost, timeframe, location, and other important attributes.

Answer: Based on the content provided, the plan identifies several adaptation options:

  1. Stormwater Management Program

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This adaptation option addresses stormwater flooding.
    • Attributes:
      • Cost: A stormwater utility fee is recommended to fund green infrastructure improvements.
      • Timeframe: Medium-term; 2017 Q4 Phase 1 launch.
      • Funding: Fully Funded; CoA Department of Watershed Management.
      • Other Important Attributes: The program aims to develop and fund a comprehensive stormwater management program, with metrics including the volume of pollutants captured, the number of BMPs installed, and the number of flooding incidents citywide and in U.S. federal Emergency Management Agency recognized flood-prone areas. (Target 3.5: Action 3.5.2)

  2. Use and Access to Solar Energy

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This adaptation option does not directly address a specific climate threat but aims to increase resilience through sustainable energy use.
    • Attributes:
      • Timeframe: Short-term; 2017 Q4.
      • Funding: Partially Funded; Program Participants.
      • Other Important Attributes: The plan involves increasing use and access to solar energy through the creation of Solarize Atlanta, with metrics including the number of residences, nonprofits, and businesses using solar energy, the number of megawatts of solar capacity installed, and the number of rooftop installations in each sector. (Target 3.5: Action 3.5.3)

  3. Protect and Expand Atlanta’s Tree Canopy

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This adaptation option indirectly addresses climate threats such as heatwaves and air quality issues by enhancing natural assets.
    • Attributes:
      • Timeframe: Long-term; 2018 Q2 launch.
      • Funding: Fully Funded; CoA Tree Recompense Fund.
      • Other Important Attributes: The plan includes purchasing acres of forested property and planting trees on City-owned properties, contributing to public health services and natural asset protection. (Target 3.4: Action 3.4.3)

  4. Community Disaster Preparedness Training

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This adaptation option addresses the threat of natural disasters.
    • Attributes:
      • Other Important Attributes: The plan aims to improve public safety and community preparedness by strengthening community cohesion through community-level disaster trainings and greater engagement with the local police force. (Target 4.4)

Question: What climate policies does the plan identify to advance climate justice? For each climate policy, summarize: 1. The climate threat it is addressing. 2. Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability to the identified climate hazard.

Answer: The plan identifies several climate policies aimed at advancing climate justice, which include:

  1. Community Preparedness and Cohesion:

    • Climate Threat Addressed: The plan addresses the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters.
    • Vulnerable Areas or Populations: The plan highlights racial inequities, particularly focusing on Black youth, with over 70% of total admissions for criminal offenses despite only making up 31% of the population. This suggests a focus on underserved communities and racial minorities who are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and social inequities.

    "Improve public safety and community preparedness by strengthening community cohesion through community-level disaster trainings, greater engagement with the local police force, and additional after-school youth programs and mentorship opportunities." (Executive Summary)

  2. Equitable Access to Clean Energy:

    • Climate Threat Addressed: The transition to clean energy addresses the threat of greenhouse gas emissions and their contribution to climate change.
    • Vulnerable Areas or Populations: The plan aims to ensure equitable access to clean energy through programs like Solarize Atlanta, which likely targets low-income residents to improve their access to renewable energy sources.

    "Increase use and access to solar energy by 2020 through the creation of Solarize Atlanta." (Summary of Actions)

  3. Workforce Development at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

    • Climate Threat Addressed: The policy addresses economic impacts related to climate change by focusing on employment opportunities and resilience.
    • Vulnerable Areas or Populations: Low-income workers are identified as a focus, ensuring they have adequate access to workforce development opportunities, which is crucial for economic resilience in the face of climate impacts.

    "Establishes policies to ensure the Airport provides adequate access and workforce development opportunities to low-income workers." (Executive Summary)

Each of these policies is designed to address specific climate threats while considering the vulnerabilities of affected populations, ensuring that the benefits of climate actions are shared equitably.

Question: Identify any potential unforeseen maladaptive climate policies. For each identified climate policy, summarize: 1. The climate threat it is addressing. 2. The resilience, mitigation, or adaptation option that the climate policy proposes. 3. Why it may cause inadvertent maladaption.

Answer: Based on the provided plan, here are potential unforeseen maladaptive climate policies:

  1. Policy: Protect and expand Atlanta’s tree canopy

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This policy addresses the threat to natural and man-made assets and aims to ensure public health services.
    • Option Proposed: The policy proposes to enhance and provide protective natural and man-made assets by increasing the number of acres of forested property and trees planted on City-owned properties.
    • Potential Maladaptation: While expanding the tree canopy can enhance urban cooling and improve air quality, it may inadvertently lead to maladaptation if it results in reduced land availability for affordable housing. This could exacerbate housing insecurity in a city already facing significant gentrification and displacement pressures, as noted in the plan: "Many Atlantans identified housing and housing insecurity as a primary concern, especially in the context of increasing gentrification and risk of displacement" (INTRODUCTION DEVELOPING RESILIENT ATLANTA).

  2. Policy: Create a stormwater utility fee to develop and fund a comprehensive stormwater management program

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This policy addresses the continuity of critical services and enhances protective natural and man-made assets in response to stormwater flooding.
    • Option Proposed: The policy proposes to ensure continuity of critical services by implementing a stormwater utility fee to fund stormwater management.
    • Potential Maladaptation: Introducing a utility fee may inadvertently increase the financial burden on low-income households, potentially exacerbating economic inequities if not carefully managed. The plan highlights the importance of addressing socio-economic inequity: "address poverty and socio-economic inequity in the city and thus improving racial, economic, and social equity is paramount" (INTRODUCTION DEVELOPING RESILIENT ATLANTA).

  3. Policy: Increase use and access to solar energy by 2020 through the creation of Solarize Atlanta

    • Climate Threat Addressed: This policy addresses the need for meeting basic needs and ensuring continuity of critical services.
    • Option Proposed: The policy proposes increasing solar energy use by facilitating the adoption of solar technology across various sectors.
    • Potential Maladaptation: While promoting solar energy is a valuable mitigation strategy, it may inadvertently lead to maladaptation if the implementation disproportionately favors affluent neighborhoods, leaving vulnerable communities without access. The plan stresses the need for equitable access: "reduce the barriers preventing Atlantans from achieving economic stability and security to increase access to opportunity" (INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY).

These examples illustrate how well-intentioned policies may lead to unintended consequences if not carefully planned and implemented with consideration of socio-economic and demographic factors.

Question: In what ways does the plan measure the success or failure of each adaptation, resilience, and mitigation option? List any specific metrics used, such as reductions in CO2 emissions, improvements in air quality, or other quantifiable impacts. Identify the exact units (e.g., tons, percentages, index values) mentioned in the plan for tracking these outcomes. Additionally, outline any concrete goals or targets set for each option, including deadlines or specific numerical objectives.

Answer: Metrics and Measures of Success:

  1. Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emissions:

    • Metric: Reduction in metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions
    • Objective: Part of the potential metrics for the 100% clean energy plan
    • Deadline/Target: Achieve 100 percent use of clean energy citywide by 2035, with a target for municipal operations by 2025 (VISION 4 TARGET 4.3).

  2. Solar Capacity Installation:

    • Metric: Number of megawatts (MW) of solar capacity installed on municipal buildings
    • Objective: Install 1.5 MW of solar capacity on 24 municipal properties (Solar Atlanta)
    • Deadline/Target: By 2020 (EXISTING ACTIONS FEEDING INTO TARGET 4.3).

  3. Energy-Efficiency Improvements:

    • Metric: Dollars available for energy-efficiency improvements
    • Objective: Funding availability for energy-efficiency improvements is part of the potential metrics for the 100% clean energy plan (VISION 4 TARGET 4.3).

  4. Water Audits:

    • Metric: Number of water audits conducted in commercial buildings greater than 25,000 square feet
    • Objective: Encourages improvements in energy and water efficiency through the Commercial Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency Ordinance
    • Deadline/Target: Improve energy and water efficiency by 20% by 2020 (Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge).

  5. Alternative Fuel Vehicles:

    • Metric: Percentage of City fleet transitioned to electric vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles
    • Objective: Transition 20% of City fleet to electric vehicles and 12% to other alternative fuel vehicles
    • Deadline/Target: By 2020 (EXISTING ACTIONS FEEDING INTO TARGET 4.3).

  6. Resilience and Sustainability Metrics:

    • Objective: Create a City-investment checklist to ensure equity and resilience in public investments
    • Metric: Number of adopted changes in the annual budget, number of completed projects fitting within the framework (VISION 4: DESIGN OUR SYSTEMS TO REFLECT OUR VALUES Target 4.1).

  7. Tree Canopy Expansion:

    • Metric: Number of acres of forested property purchased and under City management, number of trees planted on City-owned properties
    • Objective: Protect and expand Atlanta’s tree canopy
    • Deadline/Target: Long-term, 2018 Q2 launch (Target 3.4).

  8. Water Efficiency in Restaurants:

    • Metric: Number of WaterSense pre-rinse spray valves installed, number of WaterSense toilets and urinals installed, number of gallons conserved
    • Objective: Launch a restaurant water efficiency pilot program
    • Deadline/Target: Short-term, 2017 Q4 launch (Action 3.5.1).

  9. Stormwater Management:

    • Metric: Volume of pollutants captured by installed Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMPs), number of flooding incidents citywide
    • Objective: Create a stormwater utility fee to fund comprehensive stormwater management
    • Deadline/Target: Medium-term, 2017 Q4 Phase 1 launch (Action 3.5.2).

  10. Solar Energy Use Increase:

    • Metric: Number of residences, nonprofits, and businesses using solar energy, number of megawatts of solar capacity installed
    • Objective: Increase use and access to solar energy through Solarize Atlanta
    • Deadline/Target: Short-term, 2017 Q4 (Action 3.5.3).

Concrete Goals and Targets:

  • 100% Clean Energy: Achieve 100 percent use of clean energy citywide by 2035, with municipal operations by 2025 (VISION 4 TARGET 4.3).
  • Solar Installation: 1.5 MW of solar capacity on municipal properties by 2020 (Solar Atlanta).
  • Energy and Water Efficiency: Improve energy and water efficiency by 20% by 2020 (Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge).
  • Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Transition City fleet to 20% electric vehicles and 12% other alternative fuel vehicles by 2020.

These metrics provide a structured approach to evaluating the success or failure of various climate-related efforts in terms of quantifiable impacts and concrete objectives.

Question: Generate a table that summarizes the following features from the document: Location/City Name, Population, Threats Identified, Measures Identified

Answer:

| **Feature**            | **Details**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Location/City Name** | Atlanta                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **Population**         | - City population in 2016: 473,000<br>- Metro population today: 5.6 million<br>- Projected metro population by 2040: 8 million (Introduction: Executive Summary, Introduction: Atlanta's Resilience Challenges)                                   |
| **Threats Identified** | - Socio-economic inequity and poverty<br>- Housing insecurity and gentrification<br>- Limited transportation networks<br>- Lack of investment in infrastructure<br>- Economic inequality<br>- Demographic changes (Introduction: Developing Resilient Atlanta, Atlanta's Resilience Challenges) |
| **Measures Identified**| - Create an Equity and Resilience Scorecard<br>- Develop Interfaith Coalition<br>- Leverage crowdsourced data<br>- Launch a Participatory Budgeting pilot<br>- Audit Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Units<br>- Protect and expand Atlanta’s tree canopy (Summary of Actions)           |