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Strategies & Actions

The Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) identifies strategies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across five sectors as detailed below.

Read the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan

Buildings & Energy Sector

Strategy B1.

Reduce energy use in existing residential buildings.

Residential energy use currently is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our region. While newer buildings may be constructed to meet greener standards, the majority of homes in the Thurston region were built before 1988, with one in five dating back 50 or more years. Looking at our emission reduction targets, more than two-thirds of the housing units that will exist in 2050 already exist today, so retrofitting existing buildings is a key strategy. While energy efficiency improvements can pay for themselves over time through reduced heating and cooling expenses, the upfront cost may be a barrier for many. More than a third of homes in the Thurston region are rented, which means their occupants may have less control over choosing appliances or making building improvements that increase efficiency. The actions described below will support a transition toward higher efficiency homes by providing more information to consumers about home energy use and incentives for efficiency upgrades.

Assessed Action B1.1
residential energy performance ratings
Require energy performance ratings and disclosures for homes at time of sale, lease, or rent so that owners, tenants, and prospective buyers are informed before making purchasing or rental decisions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B1.2
residential energy audits
Develop and adopt policies that require residential properties to undertake an energy audit at the time of sale or during a substantial remodel. Work with financial institutions to develop mortgage products that incorporate audited energy efficiency recommendations.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B1.4
rental housing energy efficiency incentives
Provide incentives such as property tax breaks for landlords who install energy conservation measures in rental housing.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B1.5
property tax credit
Create incentives such as a property tax credit for property owners who participate in energy efficiency.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B1.6
rental housing energy efficiency baseline
Require rental units to meet baseline levels of energy efficiency and make more stringent over time.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy B2.

Reduce energy use in existing commercial/industrial buildings.

Energy used to power businesses contributes to more than a quarter of our local carbon footprint (26 percent). Operations range from small retail and professional offices to sprawling warehouses. Improving efficiency across this sector will require approaches that target these different scales. The Thurston region currently has more than 42 million square feet of commercial and industrial area, but it is distributed unevenly. The greatest proportion of commercial building area is in the city of Olympia, while industrial space is concentrated in Lacey and Tumwater. As home to the headquarters of many state agencies, the Thurston region’s stock of office space includes a large share of public sector buildings—these organizations can show leadership by increasing efficiency and reduce long-term energy costs to taxpayers. While it is hard to predict our future needs for work space, commercial and industrial buildings must be adapted over the coming decades to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accommodate the more than 50,000 new jobs anticipated to be added in our region between now and 2045.

Assessed Action B2.1
commercial energy benchmarking & disclosure
Require energy performance ratings for commercial structures be disclosed so that owners, tenants, and prospective buyers are informed before making purchasing or rental decisions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B2.3
LED lighting
Install LED lighting in public-sector buildings and infrastructure (e.g., streetlights, traffic signals).
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B2.6
cool roofs
Create an incentive program for the installation of reflective roofs on commercial buildings to reduce building energy consumption and the urban heat island effect.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B2.8
performance standard
Set energy efficiency performance standards for commercial buildings with gross floor areas smaller than 50,000 square feet.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy B3.

Reduce energy use across building types

Increasing efficiency in our built environment will require builders and contractors to learn and adapt to new materials and practices. The following actions will help support that transition by providing technical assistance to share what works and celebrating development that takes on this challenge.

Assessed Action B3.1
energy education
Provide educational resources and technical assistance to industry professionals, building owners and managers on all aspects of energy efficient building design, retrofits, and operations for new and existing buildings.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B3.4
exemplary buildings
Partner with public, private, non-profit, and faith-based organizations to facilitate rapid deploy and public awareness of high-profile demonstration buildings that use innovative energy efficiency and/or technology to limit energy use.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B3.5
green building tracking.
Develop data methodology to monitor use and impacts of green building incentives, to inform future incentives and develop recommendations for policy or programs
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy B4.

Reduce energy use in new construction or redevelopment

To meet the needs of a growing population, our region will need to add approximately 30,000 new housing units by 2030 and nearly 55,000 new units by 2050, as well as around 23 million square feet of additional commercial and industrial space. Standards for energy efficiency in new development are generally set by the State Building Code Council, and requirements scheduled to go into place in 20212 set stricter emissions thresholds for most new buildings. Developers can incorporate greener practices more easily in new construction than existing structures, but such requirements can increase upfront costs—incentives and tools like the actions listed below can help to encourage the adoption of green building practices while balancing the need to keep housing affordable and local business costs down.

Assessed Action B4.4
green public buildings
Require that new local government facilities and other public buildings demonstrate green building technologies and practices.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B4.5
permitting incentives
Offer streamlined permitting, lower fees, or other incentives for projects that meet green building certification standards.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B4.6
energy efficiency tax exemptions
Create a local property tax reduction or credit for new buildings that meet an energy efficiency performance standard.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B4.7
land use incentives
Provide land use incentives (such as floor area ratio, density bonus, height bonus, or parking reductions) for zero-net carbon buildings or other applications that dramatically increase energy efficiency.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B4.9
permit counter technical assistance
Hire or contract with dedicated green building specialists to provide technical assistance through the permitting and development process.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B4.11
grid-connected appliances
Require smart appliances in new construction, especially water heaters that control timing of demand.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B4.12
multifamily submetering
Require submetering for new multifamily buildings so residents can track energy use.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy B5.

Increase the production of local renewable energy.

Shifting our reliance for electricity away from polluting fossil fuels toward renewable sources like wind and solar power is one of the most important strategies we have to reduce emissions. Action at the state level, with the adoption of the Clean Energy Transformation Act, will move us a long way toward this end, but smaller-scale installation of renewable energy infrastructure can help support the transition as well, while saving ratepayers money over time and increasing local resilience. As of 2020, more than a thousand residential customers and over 60 businesses in the Thurston region have installed solar panels that feed into the power grid, generating nearly 10 million kilowatt hours each year.3 The actions identified below are intended to set the stage for broader access to this technology.

Assessed Action B5.3
public building solar
Install solar photovoltaics on all available and feasible municipal sites, including building rooftops, city hall, schools, police and fire stations, community centers, municipal water pump sites, and transit depots.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B5.5
SolSmart
Evaluate and adopt elements of SolSmart program and adopt solar friendly practices.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B5.8
solar-ready
Amend local development code to require solar-ready construction for all building types.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B5.10
group purchasing
Develop/support a city-sponsored group solar purchasing program.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy B6.

Convert to cleaner fuel sources.

Greening our electrical grid is essential to achieving the climate targets, but electricity is not our only fuel source. Although it has a reputation for being “cleaner than coal,” natural gas also contributes to climate change, particularly by leaking methane, a powerful greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide, although less prevalent. Natural gas also can affect both indoor and outdoor air quality, causing impacts to public health.4 Approximately 32 percent of the Thurston region households rely on natural gas as their primary source of heat at home.5 Across the partner jurisdictions, that proportion is highest in Lacey (45 percent), although the greatest number of households that use natural gas are in unincorporated Thurston County (12,487 homes). Actions assessed for this plan would restrict new natural gas connections and encourage those with existing connections to shift to cleaner options.

Assessed Action B6.1
natural gas to electric conversions
Educate business owners and residents on the options for electric appliances and the benefit of pairing electrification with the installation of renewable energy. Create incentives to support fuel switching.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B6.2
electric appliances in new construction
Update municipal code to require electric appliances in new construction.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action B6.4
natural gas transition
Phase out new natural gas connections in new buildings over time.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Transportation and Land Use Sector

Strategy T1.

Set land use policies that support increased urban density and efficient transportation networks and reduce urban sprawl.

When people opt to live close to the places they work, shop, and meet up with others, they make fewer, and shorter, driving trips— this is how increased density leads to reduced greenhouse gases. Planning for more compact growth in urban centers supports many of our regional goals, by making our cities and neighborhoods more vibrant, creating a robust economy, and reducing development pressure on environmentally sensitive areas. This strategy reinforces other approaches for reducing transportation emissions, by improving the viability of transit and making it safer and easier to get around by foot or bicycle.

The land use vision set out in Sustainable Thurston includes the following targets:

  • By 2035, 72 percent of all (new and existing) households in our cities, towns, and unincorporated urban growth areas will be within a half-mile (comparable to a 20-minute walk) of an urban center, corridor, or neighborhood center.
  • By 2035, at least 17 percent of homes in Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater’s urban areas will be located in an urban corridor or center
  • Between 2010 and 2035, no more than 5 percent of new housing will locate in the rural area.

As of 2019, our region is not on track to achieve these targets. The concentration of housing within walking distance of urban centers, corridors, and neighborhood centers has stalled around 46 percent, although recent development in downtown urban areas is pointing the way toward increases in density.

Assessed Action T1.1
coordinated long term planning-future infill and urban sprawl reduction
Coordinate long-term plans with transit agencies to project where increased density would support more transit corridors. Then change zoning/density that would support new transit corridors and variety of household incomes. Promote long-term equity and healthy communities by developing incentives such as density bonuses for development where a percentage of the units will be permanently affordable for household incomes. Look for opportunities to meet the Sustainable Thurston land use vision by reducing urban sprawl.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T1.2
middle-density housing
reevaluate and change zoning as needed to allow for a range of housing types to promote social economic integration of housing near our region’s urban centers or moderate-density zones.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T1.3
eco districts
Identify potential Eco districts to advance innovative district-scale urban development, sustainability, and neighborhood equity. Then make necessary code/zoning changes to support their development and set ambitious performance outcomes to ensure their long-term success.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T1.4
20-minute neighborhoods
Increase the number of 20-minute neighborhoods (walkable environment, destinations that support a range of basic living needs and a residential density). Identify key infrastructure components needed to grow the number of 20-minute neighborhoods, then change zoning and codes if needed and coordinate with other jurisdictions to make public investments where necessary.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T1.9
ADUs
Amend development codes to allow for attached and detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in urban residential areas.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T1.11
land use efficiency
Set integrated goals to consider network efficiency and reduce urban sprawl in land use decisions, including how density in certain areas supports transit, increases efficiency of utility service, and other support facilities. Consider vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in identifying locations for large employment facilities.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy T2.

Increase efficiency of the transportation system.

The minutes spent waiting in traffic can add up to a substantial climate impact. Actions that improve congestion on our roads, either through investments in transportation infrastructure or by reducing the number of people driving at peak periods, will reduce emissions while also improving air quality and the ability of people and goods to get where they need to go.

Assessed Action T2.2
transportation efficiency
Fund programs and projects to increase transportation efficiency, reduce delay, and reduce emissions such as signalization coordination improvements along with application of speed harmonization techniques (ex. reevaluate speed limits, roundabouts vs signalized intersection, street connectivity). Added benefits are decreased idling time (pollution) and improve fuel efficiency (cost savings to driver).
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T2.4
vehicle efficiency outreach
Develop educational campaigns about benefits (reduced greenhouse gas emission, increase fuel efficiency, safety) of properly inflated tires, including signage at gas stations and local businesses and partnering with schools.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T2.17
teleworking/flex work
Increase opportunities for employee teleworking options and staggering workdays or schedules to reduce employees driving during peak traffic times.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T5.13
telecommuting infrastructure
Develop grants and provide financial resources for installation of infrastructure necessary to support telecommuting. <>
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy T3.

Increase adoption of electric vehicles.

As our energy sources become cleaner, with electricity coming mostly from renewables, vehicles powered by gas and diesel will become our greatest local source of emissions. One of the easiest shifts we can make is to also power our transportation using electricity. As of April 2020, the Thurston region has 2,162 registered electric vehicles or EVs.6 This number will need to increase substantially over the coming years to make a dent in transportation emissions. At the state level, the Zero Emission Vehicle standard adopted in 20207 will likely push auto companies toward offering a greater range of electric vehicles to consumers. Even as new EVs become more prevalent at dealerships, we know that generally one-third of the miles traveled in an average year in our region are driven in vehicles that are more than ten years old.8 The actions assessed for this plan will help set the stage locally for greater adoption of EVs by reducing technical and economic barriers.

Assessed Action T3.1
EV parking new construction
Require large commercial and residential buildings to dedicate a percentage of parking spots for electric vehicle charging.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.2
free EV parking
Allow free parking for all electric vehicles at local government buildings and in city centers to encourage the adoption of all electric vehicles. Increase cost of parking for non-EV vehicles.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.5
EV-ready building code
Require all new residential construction be built EV ready. Create a simple and consistent residential charging station permitting process to reduce costs and time to development.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.7
EV integration
Reevaluate regulations and make necessary changes to ensure charging stations are able to be permitted in locations where they are needed.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.10
zero emission fleets
Investigate options then set appropriate timetables and policies for municipal and other governmental entities to replace public fleets with cleaner, energy-efficient vehicles to reduce long term fuel costs, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.11
EV education
Partner with environmental and other agencies to increase consumer awareness about EV options and incentives for use and purchase
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.14
EV mass purchase discounts
Create a group purchase program for residents to get deep discounts on EVs, other fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T3.15
EV purchase incentives
Partner with car sale and lease dealerships to provide incentives for purchase of electric vehicles by Thurston County residents. Look to establish pilot programs with those neighborhoods, individuals with greatest VMT potential.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy T4.

Increase the use of public transit.

Public transportation connects people with jobs, school, healthcare, and community services in ways that are more carbon efficient than driving alone. Applying many of the actions assessed for this strategy, Intercity Transit’s 2019-2024 Strategic Plan predicts a minimum 40 percent increase in ridership in the next five years. Continued investment in transit will most aid those who don’t have access to other forms of transportation due to disabilities, age, or income, but also brings broader community benefits, such as better access to employment, workforce recruitment, and improvements in air pollution.

Assessed Action T4.1
increase transit
Increase local public transit routes/frequency with a focus on ensuring the greatest number of riders have access to a low-carbon transportation option. Any expansion of service should include an analysis of climate impacts to ensure the program does not result in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T4.3
transit connections
Identify and implement first/last mile, low carbon solutions to connect neighborhoods without the population to support fixed routes transit options. Engage homeowners associations for representation and feedback. Any expansion of service should include an analysis of climate impacts to ensure the program does not result in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T4.4
fareless system
Maintain a fareless system for public transit.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T4.10
rider education/benefits
Maintain and expand a regional online page that lists all the mode shift education efforts and employer benefits opportunities (Thurston Here-To-There). Include a comments section for suggestions to further transit education and ridership.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T4.15
promote transit benefits
Work with employers and transit agencies to develop ways to incentivize employee ridership (ex. rebates for employees who give up use of employer parking facilities).
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy T5.

Increase use of active forms of travel (such as, bicycling, walking).

Currently, most Thurston region residents drive alone to work and use a car for most other trips. While many residents enjoy walking and bicycling for recreation, just three percent of commute trips are made using these active modes.9 Making it easier for people to walk and bike for typical errands, rather than driving a car, will help reduce emissions while also supporting our regional goals and improved public health. These actions can benefit low income and other marginalized communities by reducing the need to rely on a private vehicle. The actions identified below will help address gaps and barriers in our current network.

Assessed Action T5.1
walk/bike infrastructure
Coordinate bicycle and pedestrian plans of the cities and Thurston County into a large regional plan to expand walking and bicycling infrastructure, including separated and protected opportunities. Coordinate efforts to maximize funding mechanisms and opportunities.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T5.2
barriers to active transportation
Develop a regional inventory to identify gaps in connectivity for safe cycling and walking. Then develop a strategy to prioritize projects and a plan for funding.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T5.4
school drop-off alternative modes
Maintain and expand a walking/bicycling incentive program with safety education for families.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action T5.11
mode-shift targets and car-free areas
Reevaluate long term plans and update to prioritize people walking and riding bikes. Set goals for mode shift and plans on how to achieve those goals like developing car-free corridors in commercial and mixed-use areas to encourage mode shift.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Water and Waste Sector

Strategy W1.

Increase the efficiency of water and wastewater infrastructure.

While water and wastewater management contribute only a small piece of our regional greenhouse gas inventory, the energy used to power these utilities are large contributors to the carbon footprint of individual jurisdictions. The actions identified below center on ways for city and county governments to reduce waste and save money, while reducing their own emissions.

Assessed Action W1.1
municipal energy efficiency
Conduct efficiency improvements to municipal water and sewage treatment systems. Prioritize components that consume the most energy and have high greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy W2.

Reduce water consumption.

While water and wastewater management contribute only a small piece of our regional greenhouse gas inventory, the energy used to power these utilities are large contributors to the carbon footprint of individual jurisdictions. The actions identified below center on ways for city and county governments to reduce waste and save money, while reducing their own emissions.

Assessed Action W2.2
water audits
Conduct water audits of city and county facilities to determine prioritization of capital improvements.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy W3.

Reduce emissions from wastewater treatment operations.

While water and wastewater management contribute only a small piece of our regional greenhouse gas inventory, the energy used to power these utilities are large contributors to the carbon footprint of individual jurisdictions. The actions identified below center on ways for city and county governments to reduce waste and save money, while reducing their own emissions.

Assessed Action W3.1
nitrous oxide capture
Research and implement nitrous oxide mitigation strategies and strategies to avoid or reduce nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater processing. Present findings and cost vs benefits analysis to policy makers to determine what changes should be made.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy W4.

Divert more solid waste from landfills.

Although emissions generated outside the Thurston region by manufacturing and transporting goods consumed here are not measured as part of our current inventory, many people involved in developing this plan were interested in addressing the impacts of consumption and waste. In Sustainable Thurston, our region set a goal to move toward zero waste, but currently, we are not on track to meet this goal. Waste collected on a per capita basis has increased from a low of 1,140 pounds per person in 2012 to 1,318 pounds per person in 2016.10

Assessed Action W4.4
waste audits
Provide waste audits for business owners and education on practices that decrease waste (such as composting, recycling, and reuse).
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action W4.10
waste less food program
Expand Thurston County’s “Waste Less Food” program.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy W6.

Reduce consumption of carbon-intensive goods and services.

Although emissions generated outside the Thurston region by manufacturing and transporting goods consumed here are not measured as part of our current inventory, many people involved in developing this plan were interested in addressing the impacts of consumption and waste. In Sustainable Thurston, our region set a goal to move toward zero waste, but currently, we are not on track to meet this goal. Waste collected on a per capita basis has increased from a low of 1,140 pounds per person in 2012 to 1,318 pounds per person in 2016.10

Assessed Action W6.6
supply chain
Provide free technical assistance to local businesses in reducing the carbon intensity of their supply chains.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Agriculture, Forests, and Prairies Sector

Strategy A1.

Reduce emissions from agricultural practices.

Agriculture in Thurston County is remarkably diverse—it includes everything from large commercial dairy and egg operations to orchards to specialty vegetables grown on small urban lots. Our average farm size is small at 14 acres. Around 500 farms have livestock—mostly cattle and chickens—and a large portion of agricultural land is managed minimally for grazing and growing hay.11 While farms can reduce their impact with better management of animal waste and fertilizer, they can also play a role in offsetting the community’s emissions as a whole. Land management practices like cover cropping, no-till and minimum tillage conservation practices, crop rotations, soil amendments, and changes in grazing management have been shown to increase the rate of carbon stored in plants and soil. In 2020, the Washington State Legislature established the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program, which will aid farmers and ranchers in adopting practices that increase carbon storage.

Assessed Action A1.2
nutrient management
Provide education and incentives (e.g., grants, loans, technical assistance) to encourage practices that reduce emissions from manure and fertilizer.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy A2.

Support agricultural practices that sequester carbon.

Agriculture in Thurston County is remarkably diverse—it includes everything from large commercial dairy and egg operations to orchards to specialty vegetables grown on small urban lots. Our average farm size is small at 14 acres. Around 500 farms have livestock—mostly cattle and chickens—and a large portion of agricultural land is managed minimally for grazing and growing hay.11 While farms can reduce their impact with better management of animal waste and fertilizer, they can also play a role in offsetting the community’s emissions as a whole. Land management practices like cover cropping, no-till and minimum tillage conservation practices, crop rotations, soil amendments, and changes in grazing management have been shown to increase the rate of carbon stored in plants and soil. In 2020, the Washington State Legislature established the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program, which will aid farmers and ranchers in adopting practices that increase carbon storage.

Assessed Action A2.1
regenerative agriculture
Expand regenerative agricultural practices among farmers that aim for a “whole farm” approach. Provide education on how to increase organic matter content and water retention in soils within urban and agricultural settings.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy A5/A6/A7.

Preserve tree canopy and manage forests and prairies to sequester carbon.

Trees have been called the lungs of our planet, and they also can be very effective at removing carbon from the air and storing it in the soil. Historically, tall stands of Douglas fir, cedar and other tree species covered far more of Western Washington than they do today. Conserving existing tree canopy and forest areas and restoring areas that have been cleared can help to offset emissions from other activities, while providing a host of benefits for our local environment from storing and cleaning water to providing habitat for many sensitive species. Prairies can sequester large amounts of carbon in the roots of plants, and this sequestering is less vulnerable to fires than trees. Furthermore, working to preserve prairies will not only help several endangered species survive, it will reduce opportunities for urban sprawl. In enacting this strategy, it will be important to balance the carbon sequestering capacity of forests and prairies with the emission reducing potential of dense urban development and renewable energy infrastructure.

Assessed Action A5.1
reforestation & afforestation program
Develop a coordinated reforestation/afforestation program. Begin by identifying priority areas where reforestation and afforestation may have carbon reduction benefits.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action A6.5
municipal canopy
Maximize tree canopy on jurisdiction owned or managed land, where appropriate in balance with other jurisdictional goals.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action A6.9
tree canopy preservation
Develop a tree canopy ordinance that establishes a baseline for current urban canopy and sets goals for future canopy to increase resilience. Combine direct cooling value (urban heat island mitigation) with carbon sequestration value when evaluating urban tree management.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action A7.3
prairie preservation
Support aggressive implementation of habitat conservation plans that provide for preservation and restoration of prairie habitat for endangered and threatened prairie species. NOTE: the sequestration role of prairies was not assessed for the plan, and language and actions related to prairies were added after the multicriteria analysis for the plan wer completed, at the direction of the Steering Committee.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Cross-Cutting Sector

Strategy G1.

Conduct education and outreach across climate mitigation areas.

This plan focuses on the ways local government can reduce local contributions to climate change but achieving those reductions will require action from people at all levels. Many local businesses, community partners, and residents have already expressed their desire for climate action and demonstrate their commitment to improving our community. This strategy acknowledges the need for the partner jurisdictions to understand and work out how climate policies and programs can be tailored to best meet the needs of the people they serve, and how to communicate in ways that inspire the change we need to meet our goals.

Assessed Action G1.7
social research and behavior change campaigns
Work with higher education institutions to research effective behavior change through marketing and education. Use this information in developing campaigns to reduce high emissions greenhouse gases.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy G4.

Enhance monitoring and evaluation of climate mitigation measures and outcomes.

The actions included under this strategy will not reduce emissions directly, but they will help our community understand whether we are making progress toward achieving our goals. They also aim to fill information gaps identified over the course of this planning process and highlight ways to correct our course as we learn more.

Assessed Action G4.1
emissions inventory
Prepare and publish an annual emissions inventory that tracks greenhouse gas emissions by jurisdiction and source category. Review and update emissions inventory methodology as necessary to address improvements to data or methodologies, improve consistency, incorporate changes to state or federal policies, or report on issues of local interest.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action G4.2
performance measures
Develop performance measures to determine progress toward greenhouse gas reduction targets and other regional goals. Regularly update and publicize for community to track their progress.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action G4.3
other emission sources and sinks
Expand sources and sectors in future emissions inventories to inform future regulatory policy to reduce greenhouse has emissions. Connected to actions T1.5 and W6.1, and sequestration actions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action G4.4
vulnerable populations
Develop a data and monitoring mechanism that is specific to marginalized groups and their needs related to climate change and climate reality (e.g., access to transportation, access to air conditioning, proximity to cooling centers) and develop a plan to address these vulnerabilities with solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
Assessed Action G4.6
social cost of carbon
Develop and adopt policies that require the use of a “social cost of carbon measure” in zoning, development, construction, and transportation decisions.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority

Strategy G5.

Advocate for climate-mitigating state and federal policy.

While this planning process has helped answer the question of what local governments can do to address sources of climate change, it also has shed light on the limits of local authority when it comes to triggering large-scale transitions in our energy and transportation systems. The partnership among four jurisdictions that has powered this process is one of our greatest tools. By working together to advocate for strong state and federal climate action, we can amplify our influence on policy debates to come.

Assessed Action G5.5
legislative agenda
Prioritize climate mitigation policy in the municipalities’ legislative agenda each year. Instruct municipal lobbyists to track and report on climate bills, and advocate for those bills that will help reduce local emissions. Work with other jurisdictions across the state to add this to the priorities for the Association of Washington Cities and Washington State Association of Counties.
Impact
GHG
Impact
Other
E
SE
EB
A
O
Y
E
Ecosystem
SE
Social Equity
EB
Economic Benefits
A
Adaptation
O
Other Regional Goal
Y
Youth Priority