Thousand Oaks Unveils Comprehensive Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) for Public Review
March 19, 2024
The City of Thousand Oaks proudly announces the release of its draft Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP, “Plan”) for public review.
CONTACT:Helen Cox, Sustainability Division Manager, (805) 449-2471; hcox@toaks.gov
Alexandra South, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Director, (805) 449-2120; asouth@toaks.gov
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 19, 2024 – The City of Thousand Oaks proudly announces the release of its draft Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP, “Plan”) for public review. This plan establishes the community’s vision for climate mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability in the City through the planning horizon year of 2045 and has been developed to support the goals and policies contained in the City’s General Plan 2045, which was adopted by City Council in December 2023. The CEAP sets forth strategies to curb climate change-related emissions and protect the environment and includes measures to adapt and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The CEAP drew upon insights from a stakeholder group comprising twenty-two community members representing a broad cross-section of residents and businesses, and from public input received from community workshops, outreach events, and surveys.
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to the community’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, constituting over 60% of total emissions, followed by the natural gas sector, which accounts for 21% of emissions. Aligned with California's GHG reduction goals, the CEAP targets a 42% reduction in emissions relative to 2010 levels by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2045.
The CEAP proposes strategies in five different sectors - energy used in buildings, transportation, solid waste, water, and the outdoor environment. Examples include:
- Implement smart growth policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
- Support the adoption of clean/electric vehicles through increased development of charging infrastructure.
- Phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers to reduce emissions and improve air quality and health.
- Promote climate-appropriate landscaping to reduce the import of water and provide local ecosystem support.
- Establish resilience hubs/cooling centers to provide essential resources during extreme weather events.
Successful implementation of the CEAP strategies will position Thousand Oaks to achieve its 2030 target and put it on a trajectory towards the 2045 target. To learn more about the Plan, the public is encouraged to participate in an upcoming workshop at the Grant R. Brimhall Library (1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362) at 6:00 p.m. on April 3rd. The Plan is available online at www.toclimateaction.org.
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