County leaders unveil ambitious climate action plan updates

In a recent work session held on July 17, 2024, the Larimer County Board of Commissioners discussed updates to the Internal Climate Action Resilience and Education Plan, commonly referred to as the I CARE plan. The meeting, led by Chair Pro Tem Kristen Stevens and attended by various county officials, focused on the plan's evolution and its alignment with the newly launched Climate Smart Future Ready initiative.

Abby Stapleton, the county's sustainability program coordinator, provided an overview of the I CARE plan, which was adopted in 2022 and is designed to enhance sustainability within county operations. She emphasized that the plan is dynamic, with goals being updated and redistributed to better align with the external Climate Smart initiative. Notably, the plan has introduced a new visual categorization system for tracking goal progress, which includes statuses such as \"on track,\" \"emerging,\" and \"needs attention.\"

One of the key goals discussed was the implementation of all climate sustainability policies by 2030, alongside a commitment to fund over 90% of high-priority projects identified annually. This funding goal is based on the county's previous success in securing full funding for five projects last year.

Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally raised concerns about the financial implications of these goals, seeking clarity on the budgetary requirements for the upcoming projects. The county manager and sustainability officials assured the board that detailed budget proposals would be presented, highlighting the prioritization process for funding requests.

The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts across various departments to achieve sustainability goals, with a focus on transparency and accountability in tracking progress. As the county prepares for future budget discussions, the emphasis on climate action and resilience remains a high priority for the board.