The County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that result from activities within the unincorporated area as a result of County operations. The CAP identifies specific measures, that in combination with State legislative actions, will result in total GHG reductions that meet established 2020 and 2030 reduction targets. CAP measures are organized under five GHG emission sectors including Built Environment & Transportation, Energy, Solid Waste, Water & Waste Water, and Agriculture & Conservation. 

Each CAP measure has an implementation timeframe, and the CAP established a strict monitoring protocol that includes annual reporting, biennial inventory updates, and CAP updates every 5 years beginning in 2025. This monitoring framework allows the County to track progress and respond to changes in legislation, technology or underperforming measures while meeting the 2020 and 2030 reduction targets, and 2050 goal.

On September 30, 2020, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to set aside its approval of the County’s 2018 Climate Action Plan (2018 CAP) and related actions because the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (2018 CAP SEIR) was found to be out of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In response to this Board action, staff are preparing a Climate Action Plan Update (CAP Update) to revise the 2018 CAP and correct the items identified by the Court within the Final 2018 CAP SEIR that were not compliant. The 2018 CAP and EIR are being revised in partnership with residents, and business and environmental groups. The County continues implementing sustainability measures to effectively reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) as part of its ongoing commitment to the environment. The court ruling struck down part of the 2018 CAP’s EIR but did not find fault with its 26 GHG reduction measures. Learn more about the CAP Update.

GHG EMISSION SECTORS

Click on the GHG emission sector tiles below to learn more about each GHG emission sector and individual CAP measures.