Read FOCC’s Public Comment on the Comp Plan Climate Element
I am respectfully writing on behalf of Friends of Clark County (FOCC), a local non-profit advocacy organization representing its thousands of supporters who are residents of Clark County, WA to comment on the proposed Climate Chapter (14) of the 2025
Comprehensive Plan Update.
Friends of Clark County is in alignment with the goals and policies presented in the proposed chapter, as drafted for review on June 10 for the Councilors with the following exception(s):
● In place of the goal stated in Chapter 14.1.2, we strongly support the Greenhouse Gas Emissions targets that model those of the City of Vancouver (“Option 3” as labeled by Community Planning in its drafted Climate Chapter presented to the County Council in the August 10, 2025, Work Session).).
● This is a more ambitious goal than originally created by the State of Washington, ensuring we are able to meet the required net-zero goal on time.
● Our recommendation moves the needle to reach carbon neutrality by 2040, as opposed to the minimum State goal of 2050, and as included in the current draft of the Clark County Comprehensive Plan, 2025
- We are recommending a goal of 80% reduction in gas emissions from county operations by 2030
- We are recommending a goal of carbon neutrality from the community by 2040.
According to Community Planning, the existing GHG emissions policy forecast with proposed County reduction actions is both optimistic and currently insufficient in meeting the net-zero by 2050 goal in alignment with the statewide target established in RCW 70A.45.020. Additionally, a not insignificant portion of Clark County emissions are produced by sources out of County control, such as transportation, agriculture, State energy requirements, and tree loss. Establishing ambitious reduction targets could create a sense of urgency, provide benefits like air quality improvements sooner, and allow time to adapt further if the County falls short of interim targets. There is no
statutory penalty for not meeting the interim targets, only benefits. There is no time to delay climate improvement.
We reiterate, in order to emphasize the urgency in adopting reductions goal for Clark County for these reasons:
- Delaying action and implementation of emissions reductions targets even by 10 years (goal as written) will mean higher expenses and more drastic action required in order to mitigate the worst local climate projections and their social costs. Clark County is plentiful in natural assets that are highly vulnerable to climate risks as already outlined in this plan which necessitates a prompt and
proactive mitigation response. Our farmlands, forests, and floodplains are at severe risk. A target goal of 2040 means a better coordinated response to high-risk scenarios on multiple fronts. Taking steps to increase open space, tree canopy, and reduce concrete and asphalt levels will reduce the effects of increased heat. - Our population growth during this time will necessitate considerable long-term expenditure on infrastructure. Committing to a 2040 neutrality goal will facilitate smarter and more effective infrastructure development planning that accommodates county growth projections. It will also help maintain our county’s regional economic competitiveness.
We ask that Clark County’s Councilors and staff support this revision to the draft within the Climate Chapter. The further out we establish a county neutrality goal, the higher our burden of expenses will be. The importance of recognizing the need for change in order to mitigate increased severe climate events and the negative social, economic, and ecological impacts associated with climate change cannot be understated. We simply cannot afford to wait or postpone climate mitigation action, therefore it is imperative that the county act within its power at the urgency and scale necessary to best protect the residents of Clark County into the future.
Ann Foster, President
Friends of Clark County