To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Report of the Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force, as recommended by the Directors of the Departments of Conservation and Development and Public Works
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RECEIVE report of the Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force, as recommended by the Directors of the Departments of Conservation and Development and Public Works.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct fiscal impact because this is an informational report. Implementation of items in the report would result in both expenditures related to those activities and associated savings. For example, a department that installs LED lighting would incur a cost associated with installing the new lights and, because the lights use less energy, savings would accrue over time.
BACKGROUND:
The Board of Supervisors adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution (Resolution) on September 22, 2020. Among other things, the Resolution established an Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force (Task Force) consisting of all department heads, or their senior deputies, to coordinate their efforts focusing on the urgent implementation of the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). The Task Force was directed to report back to the Board of Supervisors (Board) twice a year as a discussion item on the Board agenda. In late 2020, the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) in partnership with the Department of Public Works (Public Works) convened the Task Force. The Task Force has reported to the Board of Supervisors every six months, starting in March 2021, with the exception of September 2023.
In late 2021, the Task Force agreed to support the Green Government Group (G3) Champions, employee volunteers who help their departments adopt best practices that support the County’s climate action goals. The G3 Champions program launched in April 2022. Both the Task Force and the G3 Champions are supported by a steering committee of staff from the departments of Conservation and Development, Public Works, County Administrator, Health, Human Resources, and Library. This steering committee meets regularly to review progress and develop and deliver program content.
Interdepartmental Climate Action Task Force
The Task Force meets every six months. At its August 26, 2025, meeting, the Task Force received an overview of ongoing projects that support CAAP goals, and an update from the Department of Public Works on projects supported by the Sustainability Fund. There is more detail in the attached presentation.
G3 Champions
The G3 Champions meet every other month. Below is an overview of meetings since the last report to the Board of Supervisors in May 2025.
- The G3 Champions meeting on June 11 included a hands-on exercise for sorting recyclables and organics, intended for Champions to present to their colleagues.
- The G3 Champions meeting on August 13 included presentations on: interdepartmental County projects that are helping meet CAAP goals; the employee commute survey; and how one G3 Champion incorporates the G3 Champion mission into her department’s work.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to receive the report would deny the Board the opportunity to support and celebrate the work of County staff in meeting the County’s climate action goals and provide feedback on future efforts.