As the Coronado City Council wrestles with how far and how fast to push the city\u2019s climate goals, it must weigh action against the practical limits of staff time, resources, and measurable outcomes.<\/p>\n
The City Council on Nov. 18 considered whether to update its Climate Action Plan (CAP) after an update on its current progress. After nearly an hour of discussion, the council decided to delay a full CAP overhaul and to focus on high-impact projects and review peer cities\u2019 approaches.<\/p>\n
An update to the CAP is not required by law, and would cost an estimated $100,000. The plan was adopted in 2022 and aims to reduce the city\u2019s emissions by 40 percent (based on a 2016 baseline) by 2030. Most reductions in the plan rely on state actions, with 26 percent relying on the city\u2019s reduction measures.<\/p>\n
Since implementation, many of the CAP\u2019s projects have been completed: The city has so far evaluated electric public transit options and piloted the Island Express<\/a> mini shuttle service as part of its climate goals. The city is currently soliciting proposals<\/a> to determine whether the electric shuttle could become permanent, a decision which hinges on financial feasibility.<\/p>\n Coronado has also streamlined its permitting for rooftop solar and electric vehicle charging stations. It has launched a green energy incentive program that grants free and expedited permitting for green energy projects and launched free tree events. In 2024, the city gave 369 trees to 150 residents over the course of two events.<\/p>\n Also included in the plan was electrification and expansion of the ferry service. Flagship Cruises & Events, which operates Coronado\u2019s ferry service, is expected to launch two electric ferries<\/a> next year.<\/p>\n Pending projects include increasing the supply of bike parking (the initial assessment is complete), installing rooftop solar on city buildings, and increasing the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in the city\u2019s fleet. Coronado opted to replace its vehicles as its current ones age out, and the city has purchased two electric and seven hybrid vehicles since 2022.<\/p>\n A goal of recognizing green buildings and green businesses has not yet been initiated. The city also applied for grant funding for electric vehicle charging stations, which has been delayed multiple times, raising concerns that the funds may not ever come to fruition.<\/p>\n Some council members and residents questioned whether updating the CAP was the best use of funds.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not urgent or required right now,\u201d said Karen Rogers, a board member of the environmental action nonprofit Emerald Keepers, during public comment, \u201cand I see it as expensive and it doesn\u2019t take any action.\u201d<\/p>\n She instead suggested that the city use its money to assess more urgent, impact-focused goals.<\/p>\n The council\u2019s discussion underscored a common theme in government meetings: Resources versus goals. Although council members held different priorities, they all agreed that spending money on consultants to update the CAP was not the right move.<\/p>\n