The purpose of the Climate Action Plan is to present researched strategies that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions originating in Menlo Park, based on the findings of the city's greenhouse gas emissions inventory analysis which is completed annually. The plan provides strategies that may be implemented over the next few years by the city, its residents, and its businesses. The Climate Action Plan will be updated yearly as research continues to provide more emissions reduction data and as new technologies arise and economic conditions change.

Climate Action Plan goals

The table below describes the Climate Action Plan goals and the 2021 scope of work. More details are available in the amended 2030 Climate Action Plan.

2030 Climate Action Plan goals	Scope of Work for 2021 Implementation
Explore policy/program options to convert 95% of existing buildings to all-electric by 2030	Achieve the following milestones to project completion: May 2021: Complete cost effectiveness analysis on various policy/program pathways toward achieving 95% electrification by 2030. June 2021: Environmental Quality Commission provides advice to City Council on cost effectiveness analysis and potential pathways to achieve electrification goals for existing buildings. July/August 2021: City Council reviews policy/program
Set citywide goals for increasing electric vehicles to 100% of new vehicles by 2025 and decreasing gasoline sales 10% a year from a 2018 baseline	Defer implementation to the Beyond Gas Initiative (BGI) under Joint Venture Silicon Valley.
Expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging for multifamily and commercial properties	Monitor the effectiveness of state and regional charging infrastructure incentives Will promote/market the incentives to multifamily property owners
Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 25% or an amount recommended by the Complete Streets Commission	Reduce VMT through the SB2 Housing grant, completion of the Transportation Management Association feasibility study, and implementation of VMT guidelines for new development
Eliminate the use of fossil fuels from municipal operations	Utilize current resources and available budget toward eliminating fossil fuels in building the new Menlo Park Community Campus. Replace fossil fuel appliances/assets at the end of life with non-fossil fuel options unless infeasible A pilot program to transition landscaping equipment from gas to electric
Develop a climate adaption plan to protect the community from sea level rise and flooding	Update The Safety Element in Menlo Park’s General Plan to bring it into compliance with recent changes in General Plan law, including SB 379 (Climate Adaptation and Resiliency.)  Continue progress on the Menlo Park SAFER Bay grant application Continue to participate in and monitor OneShoreline A City Council study session is anticipated to be held by July 2021 on the City’s local hazard mitigation plan

Climate Action Plan milestones

• 2005 - Menlo Park completes baseline greenhouse gas inventory
• 2009 - City adopts Climate Action Plan
• 2013 - City adopts 27% greenhouse gas reduction target
• 2015 - Variable frequency drive systems installed in Burgess Pool and Belle Haven Pool
• 2015 - New chillers and variable frequency drive system installed at City Hall/Administration Building and Library
• 2015 - New energy monitoring system installed at City Hall/Administration building and Library
• 2015 - Solar photovoltaic installations completed at the Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center, Civic Center parking lot (solar carport), Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, Onetta Harris Community Center, and City Corporation Yard
• 2016 - City Council approves of Caltrain Go Pass for city staff
• 2016 - Electric vehicle charger installations for Civic Center and downtown Parking Plaza 2
• 2017 - New zoning ordinances include green sustainable building requirements
• 2017 - City adopts community zero waste plan
• 2020 - Reach code implementation requires electrification in new buildings
• 2020 - City adopts sustainable green fleet policy