What We’re Doing to Reach Our Goals
Informed by the assessments, a Climate Action Plan was formed to carry out a 50% reduction in emissions with equity and resiliency as priorities. The strategies were divided by nine sectors, each with suggestions for City Council members, City Hall staff, Businesses, and Individuals.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Bee Branch
· This project provided much needed flood mitigation to affected communities while also building up our greenspace and tree canopy.
Renewable Natural Gas
· In 2021, the City began to capture methane gas being emitted from the landfill. Once cleaned, it is sold as Renewable Natural Gas. This is a huge win for lowering our greenhouse gas emissions as it is profitable and practical.
Public Transportation Reroute
· The city used traveler data to analyze important transit routes. Our public transportation was updated introducing programs like Rack and Ride. There was a 16% increase in ridership over 5 years.
Climate Action Coordinator
· The City added a position in the Office of Sustainability that will focus on coordinating the goals of the 50% by 2030 Community Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. Working with both the community and other departments they will advocate for our climate needs and goals in many different sectors of the city.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON
Renew DBQ
· The city is currently working with local solar installers and residences with low-to-moderate incomes to install solar panels. Solar array designs are being finalized and installed. The program is seeking additional funding. (Updated 1/2024)
City Fleet Electrification
· In 2020 the City of Dubuque conducted a feasibility study for fleet electrification. We continue to explore opportunities for charging infrastructure and adding EVs to the fleet. (Updated 1/2024)
Tree Giveaway
· The Office of Sustainability partnered with DBQ Trees Forever to provide vouchers to homeowners to purchase Iowa native trees and provide care information. Beginning Spring 2024, the City will begin a massive tree planting effort, thanks to a $1.5 Million grant award from the US Forest Service. Check the Branching Out Dubuque page for more information. The first planting and kick-off event is Saturday, 8/24/2024
FUTURE PROPOSALS
These are things we can encourage our city officials to do and to keep in mind when thinking about policy implementation!
Advocate for stronger state policy for renewable energy
Implement energy efficiency standards for all sectors
Promote financial incentives for energy efficiency
Increase utility scale renewable energy systems
Support city wide electric vehicle transition
Decrease vehicle travel city wide and increase neutral mode transportation with commuter incentives
Increase pedestrian access and safety
Expand recycling options city wide
Divert the captured landfill gas for efficient use
Establish stronger waste education
Divert and reduce 50% of waste
Incentivize water conservation
Prepare a comprehensive wastewater management system
Identify and support flood risk areas
Update public infrastructure designs to meet climate change projections
Improve wastewater pollution prevention
Develop metrics to determine and implement climate change impact assessments into city planning
Keep the city’s emergency response plans updated and accounting for climate change impacts
Incentivize climate adaptive infrastructure for residential buildings
Implement air quality monitoring
Strengthen farm to table pathways
Revise zoning ordinances and identify space for more community gardens
Find funding for a shared food processing facility
Combine farmland conservation and Imagine Dubuque priorities
Create a tree preservation ordinance
Incentivize untraditional and sustainable lawns for homeowners
Identify high temperature areas and use permitting to implement heat island mitigation strategies
Transition city property maintenance to carbon gardening practices
Identify funding sources to give credit to underserved markets and populations in efforts to advance the climate action plan
Establish a restore building for salvaged resources
Increase workforce development for the climate economy
Explore a carbon impact fee
Create an ordinance to expand residential food scrap collection
Develop city infrastructure and capital budgets that include climate risk and considerations for future climate conditions
Work with donors, philanthropists, and non-profit organizations to build a climate action and equity fund