Introduction
First, we commend Montgomery County for preparing the CAP. Addressing climate change is of critical importance, and Montgomery County should play an important part in this endeavor. A thoughtful and comprehensive plan can be the foundation for effective action.
Second, we are pleased that some key contributors to climate change have been recognized and included in the analysis and proposed actions. These include energy, transportation, and solid waste.
Our primary concern, however, is that the CAP:
- is not a true plan of action;
- does not build upon appropriate and consistent impact and cost measures;
- does not draw upon lessons learned from past experience;
- overemphasizes process and underemphasizes the impact;
- has significant omissions;
- is inattentive to some critical actions; and
- lacks sufficient specificity.
- may fail to fully include Black, indigenous and people of color communities (BIPOC), labor and youth as active partners and decision-makers in the climate implementation plan. These groups must be at the table to help identify and design climate actions that also address key issues such as jobs, housing, transit, health, energy poverty, and food access. They must also have a voice in evaluating how potential co-benefits and ‘equity enhancing measures’ described in the plan will be realized.
In short, a well-honed and articulate CAP can be an important guide for the County’s future actions for addressing climate change. But substantial modification of the current draft CAP will be needed if it is going to be a blueprint for the array of critical actions required to achieve major results.