Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 3768
1
2
A RESOLUTION of the Port of Seattle directing the Executive to implement the
3
Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive.
4
5
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle in the Century Agenda commits to create economic
6
opportunity for all, steward our environment responsibly, partner with surrounding
7
communities, institutions, governments and businesses, to promote social responsibility, to
8
conduct ourselves transparently, and to hold ourselves accountable; and
9
10
WHEREAS, the urgency of the climate crisis drives the need for innovative and far-
11
reaching solutions; and
12
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission is committed to reducing our carbon
13
footprint by in vesting in solutions to become the greenest and most efficient port in the
14
nation and we are further committed to assisting and incentivizing those we do business to
15
reach these goals; and
16
17
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has been a leader in assessing greenhouse gas emissions
18
associated with capital projects and operations, and implementing mitigation strategies that
19
reduce emissions that contribute to climate change; and
20
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission unanimously chartered the Energy and
21
Sustainability Committee by motion on January 26, 2016 tasking the Committee primarily to
22
develop and propose policy directives to guide the Port of Seattle’s greenhouse gas (GHG)
23
emissions reductions effort, with a focus on energy efficiency and alternative energy
24
generation; and
25
26
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse
27
gas emissions in alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement and other regional governments;
28
and
29
30
WHEREAS, by 2050, the port committed to make its directly controlled emissions
31
carbon neutral and to reduce its indirectly controlled sourced by 80 percent. We also have a
32
short-term goal in 2020 to reduce direct emissions by 15% and a medium-term goal to reduce
33
direct and indirect emissions by 50. We are currently negotiating the purchase of renewable
34
natural gas that could get us to our 2030 goals in 2020; and
35
36
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted recommendations of the
37
Committee on December 19, 2017, directing staff to develop a Sustainability Project
38
Item Number: 8b_reso
Meeting Date: November 19, 2019
Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive Page 2 of 3
Framework to assist the port in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals
39
by integrating sustainability considerations into key Port decisions is essential to achieving the
40
Port’s long-term environmental and sustainability goals; and
41
42
WHEREAS, integrating sustainability into capital and operational decisions early in the
43
process building can reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts, and can create
44
positive impacts on our climate and natural environment; and
45
46
WHEREAS, the Sustainability Project Framework is also intended to increase
47
transparency for the public and Port leadership regarding energy and sustainability related
48
decision making on Port projects; and
49
50
WHEREAS, transparency for the public is a bedrock principle of this policy, the
51
Commission will review in public alternatives and trade-offs that describe how a project can
52
meet its GHG and sustainability goals; and
53
54
WHEREAS, to further support transparency the Commission will review in public how
55
those sustainability goals are being accomplished and annually review upcoming large projects
56
that will likely come for authorization in any given year; and
57
58
WHEREAS, the policy will give the Port Commission the ability to transparently
59
authorize sustainability decisions for capital, operational decisions, procurement and leases by
60
considering short term financial implications and long term environmental and societal
61
benefits; and
62
63
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle’s focus on equity issues obligates the Port to consider its
64
impact on society and to collaborate with communities to promote diversity, inclusion, and
65
equity;
66
67
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Port of Seattle Commission:
68
69
The Port of Seattle hereby directs the Executive Director to implement the Sustainable
70
Evaluation Framework Policy Directive attached as Exhibit A.
71
72
ADOPTED by the Port of Seattle Commission at a duly noticed public meeting thereof,
73
held this ______ day of _______________________________ , 2019, and duly
74
authenticated in open session by the signatures of the commissioners voting in favor thereof
75
and the seal of the commission.
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive Page 3 of 3
83
84
85
86
87
Port of Seattle Commission
88
