TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
2026 Climate Action Plan Work Plan.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe and Healthy Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure.
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SUMMARY:
summary
Share the 2026 Climate Action Plan Work Plan with Council.
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ISSUE:
Information only.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The 2026 Climate Action Plan Work Plan (Attachment 1) is ambitious, consisting of eleven tasks, five new projects, programs, or policies, and six continuations of programs. The tasks cover 24 of the 183 Climate Action Plan (CAP) strategies. Tasks and strategies identified in the workplan do not specify the exact approach and allow for flexibility in meeting goals. Additional flexibility is supported when leveraging outside funding, partnerships, or technical support. Progress on the work plan is reviewed at the bi-monthly CAP Committee meetings.
Several key tasks in the 2026 work plan include conducting a heat-mapping study, conducting a community emissions inventory, continuation of municipal energy efficiency programming, and engaging youth in the Climate Action Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On October 12, 2020, City Council adopted two goals for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Salem: (1) By 2035, Salem’s GHG emissions shall be reduced to 50 percent of the citywide greenhouse gas emissions for the baseline year of 2016, and (2) By 2050, Salem should be carbon neutral The Salem Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a long-term plan designed to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and increase Salem’s resiliency to climate change.
The Plan was accepted by City Council on February 14, 2022, and a Mayor appointed CAP Committee was created to oversee implementation. The CAP Committee meets bi-monthly to review strategies, receive updates from staff and community partners, and to guide implementation. The 2026 CAP Committee consists of Councilor Varney, Ward 8 (Chair), Councilor Tigan, Ward 1; Councilor Matthews, Ward 3; Councilor Nordyke, Ward 7; and Councilor Nishioka, Ward 2 (Alternate).
Each year, staff is directed to create a work plan to monitor progress and communicate direction of implementation on the Salem Climate Action Plan. The 2026 workplan was presented at the February 18, 2026, CAP Committee meeting.
Jason Pulley
AIC Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. 2026 Climate Action Plan Work Plan.