Placer County Sustainability Plan

Purpose of the Sustainability Plan

As part of Placer's commitment to a healthy, safe, and prosperous future for its residents, the county has prepared the Placer County Sustainability Plan (PCSP). The PCSP demonstrates the County’s leadership and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance community resiliency to long-term changes associated with climate-related hazards.

The PCSP is a comprehensive road map that outlines various programs and policies that will be undertaken to achieve the most significant GHG emission reductions in the unincorporated county. In addition to reducing emissions, implementation of the PCSP will help achieve multiple community-wide benefits, such as lowering energy costs, reducing air and water pollution, supporting local economic development, and improving public health, safety, and quality of life.

This plan will serve to achieve five primary purposes:

1. Provide a road map to achieve GHG reductions.
2. Demonstrate the County’s conformance to California laws and regulations.
3. Implement the General Plan.
4. Identify effective, feasible GHG emission reduction measures for new development subject to environmental review.
5. Improve resiliency to climate-related hazards.

Overview of the Sustainability Plan

The Sustainability Plan is comprised of two main components: A Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reduction Strategy and an Adaptation Strategy. The GHG Reduction Strategy includes a GHG inventory, and measures for reducing current and future emissions. The reduction measures pertain to County operations as well as community activities within the unincorporated areas of Placer County. The reduction measures address emissions from the building energy, land use and transportation, water consumption, and waste generation sectors.

The PCSP’s Adaptation Strategy includes a Vulnerability Assessment that identifies the risks that climate change poses to Placer County’s populations and communities, infrastructure, economic assets, and ecosystems. The Assessment establishes which areas, populations and assets in the County are most vulnerable or susceptible to more frequent and severe hazards including wildfire, drought, extreme heat, bark beetle infestation, flooding, and severe winter weather, among others. Also included are a set of adaptation and resiliency goals, policies, and objectives based on the information specified in the Vulnerability Assessment, as well as a set of feasible implementation measures.