2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP)
On this page:
- Introduction
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Sustainable & Resilient Frontline Communities
- Preparing for Climate Change
- NEW! 2023 SCAP Biennial Report
- Download the 2020 SCAP
- Past King County Climate Plans and Reports
- How to cite the 2020 SCAP
Introduction
King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) is a five-year blueprint for County climate action, integrating climate change into all areas of County operations and work with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The SCAP outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action to residents and partners.
King County updated its Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) in 2020. The 2020 SCAP – the guiding policy document for King County actions and investments on climate - was proposed by Executive Constantine in August 2020 and unanimously adopted by the King County Council in May 2021.
King County’s SCAP is updated every five years to reflect the County’s continuous learning approach to climate action. The updates to the 2020 SCAP were rooted in the understanding that climate change is an urgent local and global challenge and that climate change is a threat multiplier that creates complex challenges, particularly for communities affected by historic and current inequities.
If you are interested in periodic email updates on King County climate action, please subscribe to King County's climate action email topic .
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Sustainable & Resilient Frontline Communities – A Climate Justice Framework
Preparing for Climate Change
2023 SCAP Biennial Report
The 2023 Biennial Report provides an update on all commitments made in the 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan, including status updates on all priority actions and updated data on performance measures. The status report paints a familiar picture: the County is working to reduce emissions, leading on climate equity, and preparing for the impacts of climate change but we need to do more to invest in the County and community we want to leave to future generations.
The report provides updates on strategies, priority actions, and performance measures across the three sections of the 2020 SCAP (Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sustainable & Resilient Frontline Communities, and Preparing for Climate Action), while adding a short update on the recently adopted Green Jobs Strategy.
Each of the four sections is organized in the following format:
- Accomplishments: Provides a high-level summary of key accomplishments for the Section since adoption of the 2020 SCAP.
- Looking Ahead: Includes a snapshot of key priorities and issues looking ahead to the next two years.
- Measuring Progress and Performance: Includes a dashboard of overall performance ratings for all priority actions, an update on each priority action across the section focus areas, and updated data on performance measures.
As part of King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan and priority action 1.2.3, King County staff worked with technical and community partners to convene a Joint Aircraft Emission Technical and Community Task Force aimed at beginning to address climate emissions and non-CO2 warming around airport communities across King County. The final task report outlines key considerations and high-level recommendations in this hard to decarbonize sector.
Download the 2020 SCAP
How to cite the 2020 SCAP
Complete Plan:
King County Climate Action Team (eds.). 2020. King County 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan. King County, Washington.
Section I. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Kuharic, M. (ed.) and the Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Team. 2020. Section I: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In: King County 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan. [King County Climate Action Team (eds.)]. King County, Washington.
Section II: Sustainable & Resilient Frontline Communities:
Stroble, J., S. Rahman (eds.), and the Climate Equity Community Task Force. 2020. Section II: Sustainable & Resilient Frontline Communities. In: King County 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan. [King County Climate Action Team (eds.)]. King County, Washington.
Section III. Preparing for Climate Change:
Whitely Binder, L.C. (ed.), and the Climate Preparedness Steering Committee. 2020. Section III: Preparing for Climate Change. In: King County 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan. [King County Climate Action Team (eds.)]. King County, Washington.
For more information about King County's 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan Update, please contact climatechange@kingcounty.gov.