Sustainable Plans, Reports,

Transportation & Air Quality (PM 3.26, PM 3.27)

What Tempe is Doing:

The rapid increase in development and urban density continuously puts pressure on Tempe’s car-centric culture. Considering transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, actions need to be taken to reduce emissions in our transportation network. Enhancing and adding new public transit options will allow people to be connected without single-occupancy vehicles and the associated GHG emissions.

Investments in low-carbon mobility can lead to reduced air pollution, reduced health risks associated with vehicle emissions, decreased traffic congestion, among other benefits.

Ultimately, investing in public transit leads to an increase in overall quality of life in urban areas. Tempe intends to create a multimodal transportation system to support sustainable, accessible, and low-carbon means of travel.

Performance Measures

20-minute city (3.26): Achieve a rate of dwellings from which residents can meet all basic daily, non-work needs within 20-minutes utilizing a multimodal transportation system (walk, bicycle, or use public transit).

Baselines:
Sidewalk Pedestrian: 84.8% (FY 2020/21)
All-Street Bicycle: 98.9% (FY 2020/21)
Low Stress Bicycle: 89.6% (FY 2020/21)
Public Transit: 76.6% (FY 2020/21)

Targets:
Sidewalk Pedestrian: 90% by 2029/30
All-Street Bicycle: 100% by 2029/30
Low Stress Bicycle: 95% by 2029/30
Public Transit: 82% by FY 2029/30

Traffic Delay Reduction (3.27): Achieve a Travel Time Index along major streets that is less than or equal to 1.25 with all individual segments less than 2.0 as measured during morning and evening rush hour periods.

Baselines:

Major Streets (A.M.): 1.23 (CY 2019)
Major Streets (P.M.): 1.40 (CY 2019)
Segments Greater than 2.0 (A.M.): 1 (CY 2019)
Segments Greater than 2.0 (P.M.): 15 (CY 2019)

Targets:

Major Streets (A.M.): 1.25 by CY 2033
Major Streets (P.M.): 1.25 by CY 2033
Segments Greater than 2.0 (A.M.): 0 by CY 2033
Segments Greater than 2.0 (P.M.): 0 by CY 2033

Baseline (2019):
City Average (A.M.): 1.23 / City Average (P.M.): 1.40 / Segments > 2.0 (A.M.): 1 / Segments > 2.5 (P.M.): 15
Target(2033):
City Average (A.M.): 1.25 / City Average (P.M.): 1.25 / Segments > 0 (A.M.): 1 / Segments > 2.5 (P.M.): 0
Current: Unavailable

Water Conservation (PM 4.03)

What Tempe is Doing:

Water conservation means reducing use, but this does not capture the whole picture of water management. Managing water means minimizing the damages associated with water shortage or overuse, while maximizing efficient, beneficial water usage. Encouraging this matters because it helps us prepare for and move towards:

Water as a valuable commodity in the face of climate change and increased demand
Efficiency in water distribution
Reduction of overall water usage
Requiring less energy to transport less water
Conserving water and energy

By optimizing our usage in these ways, water resources can be allocated so future generations have their water needs met while also meeting our needs today. Water security can be ensured through innovative water conservation projects and tools to help residents stay cool, save money, and use water responsibly.

Performance Measures:

Water Conservation (4.03): Achieve or exceed water conservation targets for Single Family, Multifamily and Landscape customer class water use as measured by gallons per capita per day (GPCD).

Baselines:
Single-Family Residential: 170 GPCD (CY 2019)
Multi-Family Residential: 92 GPCD (CY 2019)
Landscape: 3,477 GPAD (CY 2019)

Targets:
Single-Family Residential: 160 GPCD by CY 2026
Multi-Family Residential: 75 GPCD by CY 2026
Landscape: 3,171 GPAD by CY 2026

Current:
Single-Family Residential: 145.4 GPCD
Multi-Family Residential: 81.2 GPCD
Landscape: 3,328 GPAD

Solid Waste & Recycling (PM 4.04)

What Tempe is Doing:

Waste is something one may never think about again once the plastic bag is tied and thrown into the trash bin, loaded onto the garbage truck, and sent to the landfill. But at the landfill, our trash releases methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, as it decomposes. Additionally, what is currently sent to the landfill can be repurposed to become a resource in the circular economy.

To combat the impacts of waste on our environment, Tempe has Solid Waste programs to improve upon recycling and yard waste, plus ensuring household products are disposed of properly. In addition to the city saving money by having informed residents, the residents themselves will save money with city incentives, like the SMART program that reduces the cost of curbside pick-up, leading them to learn more about waste reduction strategies and emit less GHG emissions. Investing in better Public Works operations is instrumental to keep trash out of the landfill to save the environment, money, and resources.

Performance Measures

Solid Waste Landfill Diversion (4.04): Achieve or exceed the Council-adopted Solid Waste landfill diversion targets.

Baseline (2017/2018): Residential – 21.7% / Commercial – 9.2% / Citywide – 15.1
Target (2025/2026): Residential – 25% / Commercial – 15% / Citywide – 20%
Current: Residential – 21.3% / Commercial – 6.9% / Citywide – 20%

Social & Cultural Sustainability (PM 4.09)

What Tempe is Doing:

Considering that climate change disproportionally affects frontline communities and people of color, city government has the responsibility to meet the needs of all residents and ensure that resources are available to everyone. Residents need to have the capacity to have their basic needs met, so Tempe must find ways to make sure everyone has access to education services and workforce development resources.

Tempe strives to embed equity within city operations and investments for Tempe's youth. Tempe is investing in social sustainability through

workforce development
human services
housing
education
recreation

Efforts to build community resilience and increase the impact of frontline communities on city decision-making are efforts that make Tempe a model city in Arizona for equitable community engagement.

Performance Measures:

Housing Inventory Ratio (4.09): Achieve a Housing Inventory Ratio for Affordable, Workforce, and Market-rate housing categories that meet the recommendations made for a three-person household in the most recent study.

Baseline (2017)
Affordable - 49.3% / Workforce – 34.2% / Market-rate & Luxury – 16.5%

Target (2040)
Affordable - 49.3% / Workforce – 34.2% / Market-rate & Luxury – 16.5%

Current
Affordable - 49.5% / Workforce – 19.7% / Market-rate & Luxury – 24.%7

Land Use & Built Environment (PM 4.11 & PM 4.14)

What Tempe is doing:

Tempe can improve the city’s resilience to extreme heat by preparing buildings, community spaces, and residential areas for rising summer temperatures.

This can be done by:

improving the shade canopy
building resilient energy hubs
integrating green infrastructure and green building design into future developments to guarantee the city will be safe as temperatures rise.

Because heat-related injuries are more common among vulnerable groups, from either the heat itself or from pollution made worse with hotter temperatures, it is vital to invest in green buildings, green infrastructure, and heat-relief programs. Tempe must make investments that increase resilience to extreme heat today to improve our quality of life and reduce the worsening impacts of extreme heat.

Tempe is also making strides in urban forestry and urban agriculture. Cooling our city and growing food right here in Tempe ensures we are productively using our land while improving the quality of life for our residents.

Performance Measures:

Tree and Shade Canopy (4.11): Achieve a citywide 25% tree and shade canopy by 2040.

Baseline: 13.4% (2017)
Current: 14.4%
Target: 25% (by 2040)

Facilities Condition Index (4.14): Achieve an average Facilities Condition Index (FCI) less than or equal to the national benchmark standards.

Baseline: 14.83% (2018)
Current: 15.22%
Target: 10% by 2030

Values of the Sustainability & Resilience Division

Links to Community Resources

City of Tempe Resources

Tempe.gov/conservation
- Water educational resources for teachers and kids
- Water conservation resources for residents and businesses
- Water consultations
- Rebates
Tempe.gov/NeighborhoodAssociations
- Work together with residents to improve and maintain the quality of neighborhoods
- Membership is open to all Tempe residents
Tempe.gov/volunteer
- Volunteer opportunities
City of Tempe Boards and Commissions
- Make recommendations on climate action issues
- Apply to serve in an advisory capacity
Tempe.gov/TempeTrees
- Cost Match Tree Program provides 50% of the cost of a 15-gallon or 24” boxed-sized tree for single family residents in Tempe
Tempe.gov/SolidWaste
- Solid waste and recycling programs

Other Resources:

Energy Resources

Check to see if you are eligible for solar rebates and tax credit programs

Conservation Resources

Arizona Sustainability Alliance: azsustainabilityalliance.com
- Promotes sustainable living through action and advocacy
- Donation and volunteer opportunities
Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA): cazca.org
- Leads engagement, collaboration, and strategy to protect, restore, and promote open spaces
- Donation and volunteer opportunities
Chispa Arizona (League of Conservation Voters): chispaaz.org
- Takes action to secure just and equitable access to clean air, water, healthy neighborhoods and a safe climate
- Donation and volunteer opportunities
Citizens’ Climate Lobby: citizensclimatelobby.org
- Focuses on influencing national climate policies
- Donation and volunteer opportunities
The Nature Conservancy: nature.org
- Tackles climate change and biodiversity loss
- Donation and volunteer opportunities
Keep Tempe Beautiful: keeptempebeautiful.org
- Commits to ending littering, improving recycling, and beautifying Tempe
- Donation and volunteer opportunities

Food Equity Resources

Double Up Food Bucks Arizona: doubleupaz.org
- Allocates free fruits, vegetables, herbs, dried beans to SNAP/EBT Card recipients
- Share program information in your community by ordering promotional material
Farm Express Bus: activatefoodaz.org/farm-express
- Provides access to affordable produce to residents with little to no access to healthy food

CAP Update (2022) References

Executive Summary
- City of Tempe. (n.d).Sustainable Tempe. Retrieved from https://www.tempe.gov/government/transportation-and-sustainability/sustainability/sustainable-tempe-plans-and-reports
- City of Tempe. (n.d.). Performance Measures. Retrieved from https://performance.tempe.gov
Introduction
- Appel, Z., Dietz, R., Gansky, B., Hartland, K., King, J., Lascala, F., Logan, G., Nguyen, T. (2021).January - April Engagement Strategies Report for the Tempe Climate Action Plan 2021 Update Final Report [Unpublished manuscript]. Arizona State University.
- Boogaard, S., Anson Pang, Y. S., Steiner, B., & Dialesandro, J. (2020). (tech.). Tempe Urban Development II: Establishing an Urban Heat Exposure Severity Score for Infrastructure Prioritization in Tempe, Arizona, Using NASA Earth Observations and LiDAR (pp. 1–26). Tempe, AZ: NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server.
- City of Tempe. (2020).Annual Report 2020 Office of Sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/81031/ 637317194785270000
- City of Tempe. (2019).Climate Action Plan. Retrieved from https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/78674/63711497544410000
- City of Tempe. (n.d.)Equity in Action Equitable Engagement Framework.
- City of Tempe. (n.d). Sustainable Tempe. Retrieved from https://www.tempe.gov/government/transportation-and-sustainability/sustainability/sustainable-tempe-plans-and-reports
- City of Tempe. (n.d.) Southwest Guide to Developing Climate Action Plans [Unpublished manuscript].
Community Actions
- HA Update
  - Phoenix, AZ
    - Watershed Management Group. (n.d.). Green infrastructure practices take root in Phoenix. Retrieved from https://watershedmg.org/article/green-infrastructure-practices-take-root-phoenix
  - Norfolk, VA
    - Georgetown Climate Center. (n.d.). Green Infrastructure Toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.georgetownclimate.org/adaptation/toolkits/green-infrastructure-toolkit/regulatory-tools.html
  - Oakland, CA
    - City of Oakland. (2019). Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan. Retrieved from https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Oakland-GSI-Plan-Final-20190930_sm.pdf
  - Tucson, AZ
    - City of Tucson. (n.d.). Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/pages/gsi
  - Scottsdale, AZ
    - City of Scottsdale. (n.d.). Commercial IgCC Green Construction Code. Retrieved from https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/green-building-program/green-codes
    - National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2014, December 17). City of Scottsdale - Green Building Incentives (Arizona). OpenEI. Retrieved from https://openei.org/wiki/City_of_Scottsdale_-_Green_Building_Incentives_(Arizona)
  - San Jose, CA
    - City of San Jose. (n.d.). Green Building. Retrieved from https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/environmental-services/energy/green-building
    - City of San Jose. (n.d.). Private Sector Green Building. Retrieved from https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/environmental-services/energy/green-building/private-sector-green-building/private-sector-checklist
  - Israel
    - Surkes, S. (2020, December 27). Green building standard becomes mandatory for more construction. The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/green-building-standard-becomes-mandatory-for-more-construction/
  - Denver, CO
    - Transformation Management & Design, Inc. (2019). RTD Mobility Hub Guidelines. Retrieved from https://cdn.rtd-denver.com/image/upload/v1696295897/Reimagine_RTD_Digital_Report_18451_vfbwgn.pdf
  - Austin, TX
    - City of Austin. (2019). Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. Retrieved from https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Transportation/ASMP/ASMP_Chapters/FINAL_ASMP_LowFormatVersion.pdf
  - San Diego, CA
    - SANDAG. (2021). 2021 regional plan. Retrieved from https://sdforward.com/mobility-planning/2021-regional-plan
  - Orlando, FL
    - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. (2021, April 16). Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Nearly $150 Million in Awards to Florida Communities for More Resilient Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2021/governor-ron-desantis-announces-nearly-150-million-awards-florida-communities-more
  - Austin, TX
    - Athens, L. & Baumer, Z. (2021, August 11). Response to Climate Resilience Resolution 20210408-028 [Memorandum]. Office of Sustainability. http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/pio/document.cfm?id=36537474
  - Baltimore, MD
    - Curran, C. & Pottiger, M. (n.d.). ‘Resiliency Hubs’ Forming Around Baltimore. Capital News Service. Retrieved from https://cnsmaryland.org/interactives/fall-2019/hubs/index.htmlCity of Baltimore. (n.d.). The Baltimore City Community Resiliency Hub Program. Retrieved from https://www.baltimoresustainability.org/baltimore-resiliency-hub-program/
  - Puerto Rico Mercy Corps. (n.d.).United States. Retrieved from https://www.mercycorps.org/where-we-work/united-states
Grants and Partnerships
- Partnerships
  - Arizona Forward. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://arizonaforward.org
  - Arizona State University. (n.d.)Sustainable Cities Network. Retrieved from https://sustainability-innovation.asu.edu/sustainable-cities/
  - Arizona Thrives. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://azthrives.org
  - C40. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.c40.org
  - CDP. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.cdp.net/en/
  - Chispa Arizona (n.d.) Retrieved from https://chispaaz.org
  - Climate Mayors. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://climatemayors.org
  - Downtown Tempe Authority (DTA). (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.downtowntempe.com
  - Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org
  - ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.iclei.org
  - Institute for Sustainable Communities.(n.d.)Western Adaptation Alliance. Retrieved from https://sustain.org/program/western-adaptation-alliance-waa/
  - Local First Arizona. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://localfirstaz.com
  - National League of Cities (NLC). (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.nlc.org
  - Race to Zero Campaign (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). (n.d.) Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign
  - Tempe Chamber of Commerce. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://tempechamber.org
  - Unlimited Potential. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.unlimitedpotentialaz.org
  - Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN). (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.usdn.org
  - US Green Building Council. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.usgbc.org

City of Tempe, AZ

& Performance Measures

2022 Climate Action Plan Update

Residential Energy Equity Roadmap

Microgrids: Resilient Energy Hubs Report

Hoja de Ruta de Equidad Energética Residencial

Cool Kids 2025

Indigenous Foodways Yearbook 2020

Performance Measures that relate to general sustainability

What Tempe is Doing:

Performance Measures

What Tempe is Doing:

Performance Measures:

What Tempe is Doing:

What Tempe is Doing:

Performance Measures:

What Tempe is doing:

Performance Measures:

City of Tempe Resources

Energy Resources

Conservation Resources

Food Equity Resources