Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 26-000018
MEETING DATE:	01/27/26
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors
board of supervisors district(s):	All Districts
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	OC Waste & Recycling (Approved)
Department contact person(s):	Tom Koutroulis (714) 834-4122
	Tara Tisopulos (714) 290-0446

Subject: Adopt the County of Orange Climate Action Planning Document

ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

No Legal Objection

Discussion

3 Votes Board Majority

Budgeted: N/A

Current Year Cost: N/A

Annual Cost: N/A

Staffing Impact:

# of Positions:

Sole Source: N/A

Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

Funding Source: N/A	County Audit in last 3 years: No
Levine Act Review Completed: N/A

Prior Board Action: 9/24/2024 #26

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

Find that the proposed project is Statutorily Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 21083 and 21150 of the Public Resources Code and Section 15262 of the CEQA guidelines.

Adopt the County of Orange Climate Action Planning Document. Direct staff to begin the Implementation Phase and analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act.

SUMMARY:

The Climate Action Plan at the County level is a proposed structured approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for climate impacts and promoting sustainability across the County.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The County of Orange (County) Climate Action Plan (CAP) has progressed through two primary phases. Phase 1, referred to as the Preliminary CAP, was presented to the Board of Supervisors on September 24, 2024, as a Receive and File item. This initial phase established the technical and analytical foundation of the plan, including the identification of key sectors and emission sources to guide future climate actions. Phase 2, the current and more comprehensive phase, builds upon this foundation by outlining a detailed, actionable framework for reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. It incorporates emissions inventories and forecasts, quantifies possible reduction measures, sets performance goals, identifies four key municipal measures and presents potential targeted strategies for both County municipal operations and unincorporated areas of the County. The baseline for the plan is the 2018 GHG emissions inventory, developed in accordance with the Local Government Operations Protocol (LGO Protocol), which accounts for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, reported in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.

In addition to emissions reductions strategies, a key addition in Phase 2 is the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA), which builds on the County’s existing hazard planning frameworks, including the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Excessive Temperature Emergency Annex, Caltrans District 12’s Vulnerability and Adaptation Reports and the South Orange County Coastal Resilience Strategic Plan. The CVA evaluates local climate risks such as extreme heat, wildfires and smoke, air pollution, sea level rise and flooding within the broader context of national trends. Based on the findings of the CVA, several CAP measures have been updated to better align with identified vulnerabilities and support the County’s overall climate resilience objectives.

The municipal component of the CAP describes proposed target emissions from County operations and County-owned facilities. Once approved by the Board, the plan will move toward implementation and following review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), can serve as a qualified GHG reduction plan enabling more efficient environmental review for future site-specific projects. The municipal section identifies four core municipal measures for future implementation after full CEQA review, which together account for almost 98% of projected municipal emissions reductions. Each proposed municipal measure is supported by detailed future implementation pathways, including assigned lead agencies, potential partner organizations and funding sources. These strategies span multiple operational areas, including energy efficiency, transportation, solid waste management, environmental justice, natural resource conservation and climate resilience.

The community component of the CAP addresses GHG emissions within the unincorporated areas of the County. Unlike the municipal section, it does not include proposed targets and will not be implemented as a CEQA qualified portion of the plan due to the County’s limited jurisdiction over certain emission sources such as private vehicle use, energy consumption in privately owned buildings and land use decisions managed by other entities. Instead, this component proposes that the County pursue a voluntary, incentive-based and partnership-driven approach that aligns with state and regional climate goals. This strategy will allow the County to implement locally appropriate measures, provide co-benefits to the community and build the foundation for future climate planning without imposing new mandates or regulations. It also offers baseline data, context and strategic direction for identifying priority areas and engaging in long-term planning efforts.

The County, through its 22 departments and respective divisions, functions as a regional service provider and planning agency, delivering essential services including public safety, health, social services, waste management and aviation. The CAP demonstrates the County’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions, improving air quality, protecting vulnerable populations and natural resources and preparing for the growing risks associated with climate change. It also strengthens the County’s ability to pursue state and federal funding for climate initiatives while reinforcing its leadership role in addressing environmental challenges. Orange County currently receives one of the lowest contributions of tax dollars coming into the state at only $0.05 per dollar whereas other counties receive $0.14 per dollar. This CAP serves as the County’s strategic approach to reducing costs, implementing innovative concepts and competing for public dollars. It seeks to improve the County’s fiscal future, while improving the lives of its residents .

The County ensured a transparent and inclusive climate planning process by presenting the Preliminary CAP through public forums in each Supervisorial District and a countywide forum in 2024, followed by additional community and stakeholder engagement in 2025. Feedback gathered during these events was incorporated into the evolving plan to reflect local priorities and concerns. These efforts demonstrate the County’s commitment to a collaborative, inclusive and transparent climate planning process.

The Implementation Phase of the CAP will finalize emission targets and implementation plans alongside appropriate CEQA review. The final CAP and CEQA documents will be presented to the Board in the future. Following Board approval, the CAP will be CEQA Qualified, which will set target levels of GHG emissions below which a project's contribution is considered not cumulatively considerable. This will allow agencies to rely on the CAP and CEQA document for implementation projects included in the CAP, as well as for other applicable projects.

Compliance with CEQA: The Board of Supervisors’ approval of this plan is not committed to any course of action until the CEQA analysis is complete. As a planning document it is intended to guide future implementation actions yet to be taken. The proposed project is Statutorily Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 as a feasibility and planning study. Following Board approval of the planning document, the municipal components of the adopted CAP will undergo a full evaluation under CEQA The CAP as approved will not be legally binding on later activities. It is anticipated that a final CAP and appropriate CEQA document will be brought to the Board for final approval in the future.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

N/A

STAFFING IMPACT:

N/A

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment A - Climate Action Plan