Title
Authorizing the Committee on the Environment and the Committee on Licenses and Inspections to conduct joint hearings on building decarbonization in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The crisis of climate change continues to threaten the health and wellbeing of the planet and the citizens of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050; and
WHEREAS, 75% of Philadelphia’s carbon footprint comes from buildings and industry; and
WHEREAS, Because buildings are a dominant driver of carbon emissions in Philadelphia, the City must prioritize policy changes that lead to net zero emissions buildings - defined as energy efficient, all-electric, and supplied by clean energy - both through new construction and existing building renovation; and
WHEREAS, A building’s carbon footprint comes from multiple sources, such onsite energy usage, embodied carbon in materials, the carbon footprint of construction work, and management of construction and demolition waste to name a few; and
WHEREAS, Citizens of Philadelphia are among the most energy burdened in the county, meaning they spend a high percentage of their household income on energy costs and the moratorium on utility shutoffs has been lifted; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has set some regulations to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in municipal and commercial buildings, such as the building benchmarking law and the building energy performance policy, as well as upgrading its building codes; and
WHEREAS, While these policies are important foundations, additional policies, especially those to support the transition of low-income homeowners and renters to safer, healthier, and more comfortable net zero emissions homes, need to be evaluated in order to set Philadelphia on a path to carbon neutrality; and
WHEREAS, A wide range of stakeholders will be crucial to crafting successful policies to create net zero emissions buildings, including architects, developers, labor, energy services companies, utilities, waste management companies, materials suppliers, homeowners and renters, community development corporations, and building owners and operators; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, The City Council of Philadelphia will hereby authorize the Committee on the Environment and the Committee on Licenses and Inspections to conduct joint hearings on building decarbonization in the City of Philadelphia
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