Pacifica’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is an essential roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change. It outlines specific actions the City can take to address climate issues across various sectors like energy, transportation, waste, and water. The plan includes measurable goals, strategies for reducing emissions, and a way to track progress over time.

In July 2014, the Pacifica City Council adopted its first Climate Action Plan (CAP), which provided policy direction and identified 15 GHG reduction measures across four main sources: energy, transportation, solid waste, and water. These measures were designed to guide both the City and community in significantly reducing GHG emissions.

Since the adoption of the 2014 CAP, the City has implemented several tangible actions aimed at reducing GHG emissions. While the City has not had the ability to quantify the effects of these actions in recent years, such as through the 2016 Implementation and 2017 Implementation Reports, these efforts remain important contributions to the City’s ongoing work toward sustainability and GHG reductions.

Given advances in climate science, policy changes, and a growing need for climate adaptation strategies, the City Council established the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Task Force in May 2023 through Resolution No. 50-2023. The Task Force began its work in September 2023 to update the original plan and expand its scope to include climate adaptation measures alongside emissions reductions. The updated CAAP aims to be both ambitious in meeting emissions reduction goals and practical in terms of implementation.

Photo: MIG, a consulting firm specializing in community engagement and climate action planning, partnered with the City of Pacifica to facilitate focus groups for community feedback on the updated Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. These sessions brought together key stakeholders, including community-based organizations, youth, and residents, to share insights and co-create solutions for a more resilient and sustainable Pacifica. Loteria graphics and content were created by MIG Consulting, INC.

Task Force members

City Council appointed 11 volunteers (9 are currently serving) to implement the new Climate Action Plan for the City. For the past 20 months, these volunteers have dedicated their time, knowledge, and most importantly, their commitment to Climate Action for their community. The members are as follows:

Monica Meagher (Chair), Kai Martin (Vice Chair), Margo Meiman, Dave Plumb, Carl Schwab, Nancy Tierney, Rick Nahass, Maria Barr, and Kim Finale.

The 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) focuses on four key goal areas, each supported by subcommittees tasked with researching and implementing specific actions:

  1. Transportation and Land Use (TLUS)

  2. Emissions Reduction and Energy (ERES)

  3. Food and Consumption (FACS)

  4. Resilience and Adaptation (RAS)

Latest News & Updates

The public comment period for the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which opened on February 19 and closed on March 16, 2025, is now complete.

With feedback from the public, City Council, and staff, the CAAP Task Force has finalized a revised Draft Plan. The final draft reflects key updates to implementation strategies, equity considerations, and action-level detail across topic areas such as transportation, energy, emergency preparedness, and nature-based solutions.

Next Steps

On May 27th, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan was presented to City Council for review. While formal adoption did not take place at that meeting, the Task Force received valuable guidance on next steps and remains committed to continued progress.

Although the official adoption date is still to be determined, the Task Force will move forward with implementing key recommendations, aligned with Council’s direction. The dedication to climate resilience and sustainability remains a priority, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration with the community and Council to shape a more sustainable future for Pacifica.

Stay updated!

May 27 City Council Agenda here.

📄 View the Draft CAAP
📎 View the Draft CAAP Appendices
📝 View the May 27, 2025 City Council Staff Report

Anticipated Timeline:

  • Draft Complete: May 2025

  • City Council Consideration: May 27, 2025

  • Next City Council Consideration: TBD

  • Task Force Implementation Scope & Workplan Proposal: Summer 2025

  • Recruitment and Appointments: Early Fall 2025

How You Can Get Involved

This is your chance to help shape Pacifica’s climate future! Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Sign up for updates to stay informed about future developments and opportunities for involvement.

Submissions for the Youth Art Competition

Submissions for the Youth Art Competition on April 12th.

The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Task Force hosted a Youth Art Competition on April 12th, 2025, at the Community Center. The event brought the community together to engage in conversations about the City's Climate Action Plans. Centered around the theme and guiding question, "How can YOU make a difference for climate change in Pacifica?", the competition invited students from kindergarten through 8th grade to express their ideas through art. This free event required a parent or guardian to accompany each child. Art supplies were provided, though participants were also welcome to bring their own materials.

On April 26th, 2025, for Earth Day festivities hosted by Pacifica Beach Coalition (PelicanFest 2025) the community had their input for the selecting one art piece for the COVER of the Climate Action Plan and THE RESULTS ARE IN!!

  • Natalia Bueno (8 years old) & Amelia Perry (11 years old), congrats — your artwork was selected!

All art submissions will be reflected throughout the document and the public will have access to it in late May or early June of 2025.

Rebates & incentive programs

  1. California Could Give You Up To $2,000 for an E-Bike Again. Here’s When 2025 Applications Open | KQED *California E-Bike Incentive Project

“This California E-Bike Incentive Project, which is distributing $7.5 million to help lower- and middle-income families buy an e-bike, can help purchase which can help riders with faster commutes and make it easier to transport young kids or groceries. The voucher can be used at hundreds of participating e-bike retailers all over the state to cover the cost of an e-bike, with the program covering a wide range of e-bikes to match the needs of each rider.”

There is also an extra $250 if they meet additional income requirements!

To apply:

  • You must be a California resident 18 years of age or older.

  • You must report a household income of 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or less.

**This project has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date**

2. Used EV Rebate Program | Peninsula Clean Energy *ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY & THE CITY OF LOS BANOS

“Peninsula Clean Energy is offering $2,000 toward the purchase of a used plug-in hybrid or fully-electric vehicle for income-qualifying residents of San Mateo County.”

  • Instant rebate — purchase your EV at a participating dealer.

  • Purchase your EV from any dealer or retailer* and apply afterwards for rebates.

You can maximize MORE incentives with these additional programs to help with the cost!

3. Upgrade to 100% Renewable Power | Peninsula Clean Energy ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY RESIDENTS

Getting cleaner and cheaper energy has never been easier! Benefits include:

  • Your bills are lower

  • Energy is cleaner

  • Exclusive REBATES, financing, and more for YOU

  • Reinvesting in the community

You can also upgrade to ECO100. “For the average household, this premium is only about $4-5 more per month, or $6-7 more per month beginning in 2025.” PCE currently operates on a mix of energy sources between Hydroelectric (48.3%), and Eligible Renewable (51.7%) and does not use coal, nuclear, oil or natural gas. Your electricity would come from:

  • 50% Solar

  • 50% Wind

For specific information about this product, please contact Peninsula Clean Energy, 1-866-966-0110, info@pencleanenergy.com, www.PenCleanEnergy.com.

4. Room Heat Pumps 2.0 - Cooling and Heating in a Small Package Tickets, Wed, Jun 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

“Learn how easy-to-install room heat pumps can deliver powerful cooling and efficient supplemental heating at an affordable price.” RENTERS, THIS IS FOR YOU TOO!

  • Room heat pumps are low cost, easy to install products that deliver powerful cooling, and have the added advantage of providing supplemental heating when the temperatures fall. They come in window-mounted options or portable, roller style configurations which are easier to move and install.

  • These units are lower cost than full home heat pumps and can be installed DIY by plugging into a 120V outlet. They typically cost $500-700.

Register for their zoom event to learn more about how to get started.

More Links and Guides

For those looking to reduce waste at home, at work, or at school —

Here is what Others are doing in the Bay —

The CAAP Task Force meets on the third Tuesday of every month.

Location:
Community Development & Engineering Building
1800 Francisco Boulevard
Pacifica, CA 94044

Meeting agendas are emailed to subscribers and posted on the City’s website.

Plan Pacifica - Help Shape Pacifica’s Future!

The current process to update the Housing Element of the General Plan and Local Coastal Land Use Plan relies on vital input, visioning and feedback from the community.

  • Sign up for our mailing list here

  • Click here to contact us with questions or comments

  • See the Resource Library for related Sharp Park Specific Plan materialsContact & More Information