### 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:** **Planning Jurisdiction: City of Chicago** The document provided does not include specific details about the population, demographics, or average income of Chicago. However, it mentions that Chicago has a significant economic landscape with a focus on sustainable practices and job creation in various sectors. ### **Geographic Features and Infrastructure:** - **Location:** Chicago is located in the state of Illinois, United States. - **Key Infrastructure:** - **Airports:** O'Hare and Midway International Airports are notable, with over $1.5 billion invested to support sustainability and maintain Chicago's competitive position as a global airport hub (Economic Development and Job Creation). - **Waterways:** The Chicago River is highlighted as a resource, with plans to transform it into a second waterfront and enhance its accessibility (Water and Wastewater). ### **Local Climate and Water Challenges:** - **Climate:** The plan emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change impacts and urban heat island effects, and preparing for high-intensity storm events (Climate Change). - **Water Challenges:** There is a focus on reducing water waste through investment in water and sewer infrastructure, and enhancing stormwater management to reduce sewer overflows and basement flooding (Economic Development and Job Creation, Water and Wastewater). ### **Energy Production and Natural Resources:** - **Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy:** - The city's energy strategy includes improving citywide energy efficiency by 5% and municipal buildings by 10%, and creating an additional 20 MW of renewable energy (Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy). - Chicago is home to significant solar generating capacity, including the nation's largest urban solar field, with plans to expand solar panel coverage (Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy). ### **Industries and Economic Drivers:** - **Major Industries:** - **Transportation and Utilities:** Includes major job sectors like rail construction (Economic Development and Job Creation). - **Manufacturing:** Historically a strength of Chicago, contributing to the sustainable economy (Economic Development and Job Creation). - **Business Services:** A key sector linked to sustainability and clean energy (Economic Development and Job Creation). - **Economic Initiatives:** - The Chicago Infrastructure Trust aims to invest approximately $225 million in energy efficiency at city assets, potentially generating 2,000 jobs and significant cost savings (Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy). ### **Economic Development Goals:** The plan outlines goals to establish Chicago as a hub for the growing sustainable economy and accelerate the economy by assisting people and companies in adopting sustainable practices (Economic Development and Job Creation). Overall, the plan highlights Chicago's commitment to sustainability through infrastructure upgrades, energy efficiency, and the development of its transportation and clean energy sectors. ### 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 addresses resilience by setting goals for preparing the city and its residents for climate change impacts. It aims to "protect the city and its residents by preparing for changes in the climate" and includes actions such as preparing for human impacts of climate change, maintaining biodiversity, and strengthening infrastructure resiliency to extreme weather (Climate Change, Goals). **Mitigation:** The plan emphasizes mitigation through goals to "reduce carbon emissions from all sectors" and "improve local air quality by accelerating performance towards federal standards and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions." Key actions include increasing energy efficiency, creating renewable energy, and closing coal-fired power plants (Climate Change, Goals). **Adaptation:** Adaptation is addressed by preparing the city for expected climate changes, such as hotter summers and more severe storms. The plan includes actions like supporting climate research, engaging the community, and implementing solutions to manage flooding and the urban heat island effect (Climate Change, Goals). **Classification:** The plan can be classified as an **equal mitigation and adaptation climate action plan** as it effectively balances efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with strategies to prepare for and adapt to the changing climate. ### 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:** Yes, the plan describes a scenario of climate change that Chicago could face. It states: "Research suggests that Chicago could experience a significant shift in climate and increasing frequency of severe storms. High emissions projections show that by the end of the century, Chicago summers will be similar to those in Baton Rouge today." The plan emphasizes the need for Chicago to work proactively to respond to climate change by "advancing policies and solutions to prepare for a changing climate and protect our people, infrastructure, and natural resources" (CLIMATE CHANGE GOAL 24). ### 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. **Severe Storms** - **Climate Hazard:** The plan suggests that Chicago could experience an "increasing frequency of severe storms." - **Climate Risks:** Severe storms pose risks to infrastructure and the natural environment, as they can lead to flooding and other forms of damage. - **Areas or Populations with Most Climate Vulnerability:** The plan does not specify particular areas or populations affected by severe storms, but implies a general impact on infrastructure and natural resources. 2. **Heatwaves** - **Climate Hazard:** High emissions projections indicate that by the end of the century, "Chicago summers will be similar to those in Baton Rouge today." - **Climate Risks:** This shift poses risks such as increased heat-related illnesses and stress on the city's infrastructure and natural resources. - **Areas or Populations with Most Climate Vulnerability:** The plan does not specify, but it mentions preparing for human impacts by supporting people with information and services like cooling centers, suggesting urban and densely populated areas might be more vulnerable. 3. **Urban Heat Island Effect** - **Climate Hazard:** The plan mentions the need to reduce the "urban heat island effect" as part of preparing infrastructure for climate change. - **Climate Risks:** The urban heat island effect can exacerbate heatwaves, leading to higher temperatures and increased energy consumption. - **Areas or Populations with Most Climate Vulnerability:** The plan does not specify, but urban areas with dense infrastructure are typically more affected by the urban heat island effect. ### 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. **Prepare for Changes in the Climate** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** The resilience option focuses on preparing for the human impacts of climate change, including the increasing frequency of severe storms and the shift in climate that may lead to hotter summers similar to those in Baton Rouge (Chapter: CLIMATE CHANGE - GOAL 24). - **Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** Specific details on cost, timeframe, and exact location are not explicitly mentioned in the document. However, the plan discusses enhancing the infrastructure to manage flooding from high-intensity storm events and reducing the urban heat island effect (Chapter: CLIMATE CHANGE - GOAL 24). - **Other Important Attributes:** The plan emphasizes protecting the natural environment to maintain biodiversity and strengthening resiliency to extreme weather events. This includes infrastructural enhancements and community support through cooling centers and information services (Chapter: CLIMATE CHANGE - GOAL 24). 2. **Enhance Stormwater Management** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This option addresses the threat of sewer overflows and basement flooding caused by heavy rainfall and storm events (Chapter: WATER AND WASTEWATER - GOAL 14). - **Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** Specific cost and timeframe details are not provided in the document. The location focuses on areas prone to flooding and stormwater issues within the city of Chicago (Chapter: WATER AND WASTEWATER - GOAL 14). - **Other Important Attributes:** Improving stormwater management is critical for protecting water quality and reducing the risk of flooding, thereby enhancing the resilience of infrastructure and communities (Chapter: WATER AND WASTEWATER - GOAL 14). 3. **Protect Water Quality and Enhance Access to Lake Michigan** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This option addresses the potential degradation of water quality due to climate impacts, such as pollution and increased sedimentation from severe weather events (Chapter: WATER AND WASTEWATER - GOAL 16). - **Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** While specific cost and timeframe details are not outlined, the initiative focuses on enhancing access and protecting the water quality of Lake Michigan, which is vital for Chicago's water supply (Chapter: WATER AND WASTEWATER - GOAL 16). - **Other Important Attributes:** Ensuring the protection of Lake Michigan’s water quality is essential for the health and well-being of residents, as well as for maintaining biodiversity and natural habitats (Chapter: WATER AND WASTEWATER - GOAL 16). These resilience options highlight Chicago's commitment to preparing for and adapting to climate change impacts, particularly focusing on infrastructure, biodiversity, and community support systems. ### 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:** The plan identifies several mitigation options, which are summarized below: 1. **Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Initiatives** - **Cost and Timing:** No specific costs or timing are mentioned for these initiatives. - **Location:** Citywide, including municipal buildings. - **Attributes:** The plan includes improving citywide energy efficiency by 5% and improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings by 10% (_"Improve citywide energy efficiency by 5%"_ and _"Improve overall energy efficiency in municipal buildings by 10%"_). 2. **Renewable Energy Installations** - **Cost:** Not specifically mentioned, but the plan aims to create an additional 20 MW of renewable energy. - **Timing:** Consistent with the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard goals. - **Location:** City properties and publicly owned properties. - **Attributes:** The plan includes installing renewable energy generation and exploring locally-produced renewable energy opportunities (_"Install 10 MW of renewable energy on City properties"_ and _"Explore locally-produced, renewable energy opportunities"_). 3. **Retrofit Chicago Commercial Buildings Initiative** - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing:** Increase energy efficiency by 20% in the next five years. - **Location:** Various buildings listed in the private sector. - **Attributes:** Part of the Better Buildings Challenge, encouraging public and private organizations to commit to energy savings (_"Retrofit Chicago’s Commercial Buildings Initiative"_). 4. **Green Roofs and Cool Roof Ordinance** - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing and Location:** Ongoing implementation across Chicago. - **Attributes:** The city has almost 360 green roofs, and the ordinance supports the installation of green roofs and reflective materials (_"Chicago has almost 360 green roofs covering more than 5 million square feet"_). 5. **Vehicle Efficiency and Clean Fuel Initiatives** - **Cost and Timing:** Not specified. - **Location:** Citywide and at Chicago's airports. - **Attributes:** Includes improving traffic signal timing, achieving a hybrid or compressed natural gas taxi fleet, and installing electric vehicle charging stations (_"Improve traffic signal timing for cars and buses"_ and _"Install a dense network of electric vehicle charging stations"_). 6. **Reducing Municipal Fossil Fuel Consumption** - **Cost and Timing:** Not specified. - **Location:** City operations. - **Attributes:** Involves reducing the number of vehicles in the City's fleet and replacing a portion of on-road fleet vehicles with green fleet annually (_"Reduce the number of vehicles in the City’s fleet"_ and _"Replace 3% of on-road fleet vehicles with green fleet annually"_). 7. **Reducing Airport Emissions** - **Cost and Timing:** Not specified. - **Location:** Chicago's airports. - **Attributes:** Strategies include reducing airport energy consumption, diverting waste, and maintaining a fleet with low-emission vehicles (_"Advance strategies to reduce airport energy consumption by 15%, divert 50% of airport waste, and maintain a fleet with 20% low-emission vehicles"_). These mitigation options are part of Chicago's broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability across various sectors. ### 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 with varying details on cost, timeframe, location, and other attributes: 1. **Closure of Coal-Fired Power Plants:** - **Description:** The Fisk and Crawford coal-fired power plants, major sources of carbon emissions, have been closed. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timeframe:** Closed by the end of 2012. - **Location:** Located in Chicago. - **Attributes:** "Prior to their closure, 90 percent of all carbon emissions from industrial sources in the City came from the power plants." This action benefits the city with reduced air pollution and is a commitment to clean energy. (*CLIMATE CHANGE » GOALS*) 2. **Retrofit Chicago Commercial Buildings Initiative:** - **Description:** This initiative is part of the Better Buildings Challenge to increase energy efficiency by 20% in five years. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timeframe:** Increase energy efficiency by 20% in the next five years. - **Location:** Includes various buildings across Chicago. - **Attributes:** Partners include ComEd, Natural Resources Defense Council, and others. Aims to save energy costs and improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings. (*ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CLEAN ENERGY*) 3. **Green Roofs and Cool Roof Ordinance:** - **Description:** Promotes the installation of green roofs and use of reflective materials. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timeframe:** Ongoing since 2005. - **Location:** Across Chicago, prominent installations include City Hall and O'Hare Airport. - **Attributes:** Chicago has the most green roofs in North America, and the ordinance supports sustainable materials in urban development. (*SUSTAINABLE CHICAGO*) 4. **Renewable Energy Installations:** - **Description:** Install 10 MW of renewable energy on City properties. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timeframe:** By 2015. - **Location:** City properties in Chicago. - **Attributes:** Includes reducing solar permit approval time and complexity of zoning for solar installations. (*CLIMATE CHANGE » GOALS*) 5. **Vehicle Efficiency Improvements:** - **Description:** Increase vehicle efficiency to reduce emissions. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timeframe:** Ongoing. - **Location:** Chicago. - **Attributes:** Includes improving traffic signal timing, achieving a taxi fleet with a high percentage of hybrid or compressed natural gas vehicles, and installing electric vehicle charging stations. (*TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS » GOALS*) 6. **Chicago Clean Diesel Contracting Ordinance:** - **Description:** Implements a Clean Fleet Score and bans high-polluting equipment and vehicles on City projects. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timeframe:** Starting in 2014. - **Location:** City projects in Chicago. - **Attributes:** Aims to reduce emissions from city projects by improving the quality of equipment used. (*CLIMATE CHANGE » GOALS*) These mitigation options demonstrate Chicago's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving sustainability across various sectors. ### 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:** The plan identifies several adaptation options under the goal to "PROTECT THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS BY PREPARING FOR CHANGES IN THE CLIMATE." Below is a summary of the adaptation options, including the climate threat they address and additional information provided in the plan: ### Adaptation Options 1. **Preparing for the Human Impacts of Climate Change** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This adaptation option addresses the threat of increasing temperatures and more frequent and severe heat waves. - **Information Provided:** - **Actions:** The plan includes supporting people with information and services, such as cooling centers. - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details are provided. 2. **Preparing the Natural Environment for Climate Impacts** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This option addresses threats to biodiversity and ecosystems due to climate change. - **Information Provided:** - **Actions:** The plan focuses on preparing the natural environment for climate impacts and maintaining biodiversity. - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details are provided. 3. **Preparing Infrastructure for Climate Change** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This option addresses the threat of urban heat islands, flooding from high-intensity storms, and extreme weather events. - **Information Provided:** - **Actions:** The plan includes reducing the urban heat island effect, managing flooding from high-intensity storm events, and strengthening resiliency to extreme weather. - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details are provided. These adaptation options are part of a broader strategy to proactively respond to climate change and protect Chicago's people, infrastructure, and natural resources. The plan emphasizes advancing policies and solutions to prepare for a changing climate. ### 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 does not explicitly mention specific climate policies aimed directly at advancing climate justice, nor does it provide details on climate threats or areas/populations with the most climate vulnerability in relation to climate justice. Instead, the plan broadly addresses climate change and related goals such as reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and preparing for climate impacts. The plan does include some elements that could be related to climate justice, such as community engagement and the closure of coal-fired power plants to improve air quality, but it does not explicitly frame these actions in a climate justice context. Here are relevant excerpts: - **Reducing Carbon Emissions and Community Engagement**: - The plan aims to "reduce carbon emissions from all sectors" which includes "increase community engagement to make Chicago more sustainable" (_"GOAL 22"_). This can indirectly address climate justice by involving communities in sustainability efforts. - **Improving Air Quality**: - The closure of Fisk and Crawford generating stations is highlighted as a significant milestone towards improving air quality (_"GOAL 23"_). While this action addresses air pollution, the plan does not specify which populations are most vulnerable to this threat. - **Protecting Residents from Climate Changes**: - The plan indicates preparing for climate changes by supporting people with information and services such as cooling centers (_"GOAL 24"_). This may help vulnerable populations during extreme heat but is not explicitly linked to climate justice. Without specific mention of climate justice, it is not possible to draw direct relationships between the identified climate policies and areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability as per the document provided. ### 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 document provided, no specific climate policies have been explicitly identified as maladaptive. However, it is possible to analyze the proposed options for potential unforeseen maladaptive outcomes: 1. **Policy: Reducing urban heat island effect and managing flooding from high-intensity storm events** - **Climate Threat:** This policy addresses the climate threat of increased urban temperatures and flooding due to high-intensity storm events. - **Option:** The resilience option proposed includes preparing the infrastructure to reduce the urban heat island effect and managing flooding. - **Potential Maladaptation:** While addressing the urban heat island effect and flooding, there might be a risk of maladaptation if, for example, the measures implemented inadvertently lead to increased energy consumption (e.g., increased use of air conditioning) or if flood management infrastructure negatively impacts local ecosystems or water quality. 2. **Policy: Increasing vehicle efficiency** - **Climate Threat:** This policy is aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. - **Option:** The mitigation option involves strengthening infrastructure to advance vehicle efficiency. - **Potential Maladaptation:** There is a potential for maladaptation if the focus on vehicle efficiency results in increased reliance on personal vehicles rather than promoting more sustainable public transportation options, thus potentially increasing overall emissions and urban congestion. These potential maladaptations are speculative based on the types of strategies typically employed in these scenarios. The document does not specify direct instances of maladaptation. ### 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:** **Adaptation, Resilience, and Mitigation Metrics and Goals** 1. **Carbon Emissions Reduction:** - **Metric:** Reduction in carbon emissions from all sectors. - **Goal/Target:** Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% relative to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. (Chicago Climate Action Progress) 2. **Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory:** - **Metric:** Breakdown of emissions by sector (Energy, Transportation, Waste, Water & Wastewater). - **Units:** Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent. - **Goal/Target:** Continuous tracking towards the overall reduction target. (Chicago 2010 Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory) 3. **Air Quality Improvement:** - **Metric:** Reduction in particulate matter and nitrous oxide emissions. - **Goal/Target:** Reduce Chicago Transit Authority bus particulate matter emissions by 50% and nitrous oxide emissions by 30% while maintaining bus service levels. (Goal 23) 4. **Energy Efficiency:** - **Metric:** Improvement in energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. - **Goal/Target:** Improve citywide energy efficiency by 5% and increase energy efficiency in municipal buildings by 10%. Retrofit Chicago aims for 20% energy efficiency improvements in participating buildings. (Goals 3 and 4) 5. **Renewable Energy:** - **Metric:** Installation of renewable energy capacity. - **Goal/Target:** Create an additional 20 MW of renewable energy consistent with the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard. (Goal 5) 6. **Public Transit Ridership:** - **Metric:** Increase in average daily transit ridership. - **Goal/Target:** Rebuild and enhance the Chicago Transit Authority infrastructure, including the Red Line and Bus Rapid Transit corridors. (Goal 6) 7. **Urban Agriculture:** - **Metric:** Increase in acres of urban agriculture. - **Goal/Target:** Double the number of acres of urban agriculture. (Goal 18) 8. **Tree Canopy and Biodiversity:** - **Metric:** Protection and restoration of natural habitats and tree canopy. - **Goal/Target:** Restore at least 40 acres of land on Northerly Island, protect the tree canopy, and enforce invasive species ordinances. (Goal 19) 9. **Water and Wastewater Management:** - **Metric:** Reduction in water use and enhancement of stormwater management. - **Goal/Target:** Decrease water use by 2% annually and reduce sewer overflows and basement flooding. (Goal 13 and 14) 10. **Waste Reduction and Recycling:** - **Metric:** Increase access to recycling and improve waste reduction policies. - **Goal/Target:** Incorporate standard green practices in all City operations. (Goal 20 and 21) 11. **Urban Forest Carbon Sequestration:** - **Metric:** Tons of carbon sequestered annually by Chicago’s urban forest. - **Units:** 700,000 Tons of carbon sequestered annually. (Chicago Climate Action Progress) These metrics and goals are aimed at tracking the success of Chicago's efforts in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation, with specific numerical targets and deadlines. ### Question: Generate a table that summarizes the following features from the document: Location/City Name, Population, Threats Identified, Measures Identified **Answer:** ```markdown | Feature | Description | |----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Location/City Name** | Chicago | | **Population** | Not specified in the document | | **Threats Identified** | - Climate change, including significant shifts in climate and increasing frequency of severe storms (*Climate Change section*) | | | - Air pollution due to historical operation of coal-fired power plants (*Climate Change Goal 23*) | | | - Threat to natural habitat from invasive species, pollution, and urban development (*Parks, Open Space, and Healthy Food Goal 19*) | | **Measures Identified** | - Reduce carbon emissions from all sectors and partner with universities for climate research (*Climate Change Goal 22*) | | | - Close coal-fired power plants and reduce emissions from Chicago Transit Authority buses (*Climate Change Goal 23*) | | | - Prepare for climate impacts by developing infrastructure and natural environment resilience (*Climate Change Goal 24*) | | | - Increase the number of protected bike lanes, establish a bus rapid transit network, and improve air quality (*Introduction*) | | | - Drive habitat restoration and enforce invasive species ordinances (*Parks, Open Space, and Healthy Food Goal 19*) | ```