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November 19, 2019

RESOLUTION NO. 3768
A RESOLUTION of the Port of Seattle directing the Executive to implement the
Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive.
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle in the Century Agenda commits to create economic
opportunity for all, steward our environment responsibly, partner with surrounding
communities, institutions, governments and businesses, to promote social responsibility, to
conduct ourselves transparently, and to hold ourselves accountable; and
WHEREAS, the urgency of the climate crisis drives the need for innovative and farreaching solutions; and

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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission is committed to reducing our carbon
footprint by in vesting in solutions to become the greenest and most efficient port in the
nation and we are further committed to assisting and incentivizing those we do business to
reach these goals; and

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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission unanimously chartered the Energy and
Sustainability Committee by motion on January 26, 2016 tasking the Committee primarily to
develop and propose policy directives to guide the Port of Seattle's greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions reductions effort, with a focus on energy efficiency and alternative energy
generation; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has been a leader in assessing greenhouse gas emissions
associated with capital projects and operations, and implementing mitigation strategies that
reduce emissions that contribute to climate change; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions in alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement and other regional governments;
and
WHEREAS, by 2050, the port committed to make its directly controlled emissions
carbon neutral and to reduce its indirectly controlled sourced by 80 percent. We also have a
short-term goal in 2020 to reduce direct emissions by 15% and a medium-term goal to reduce
direct and indirect emissions by 50. We are currently negotiating the purchase of renewable
natural gas that could get us to our 2030 goals in 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted recommendations of the
Committee on December 19, 2017, directing staff to develop a Sustainability Project
Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive

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Framework to assist the port in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals
by integrating sustainability considerations into key Port decisions is essential to achieving the
Port's long-term environmental and sustainability goals; and
WHEREAS, integrating sustainability into capital and operational decisions early in the
process building can reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts, and can create
positive impacts on our climate and natural environment; and
WHEREAS, the Sustainability Project Framework is also intended to increase
transparency for the public and Port leadership regarding energy and sustainability related
decision making on Port projects; and
WHEREAS, transparency for the public is a bedrock principle of this policy, the
Commission will review in public alternatives and trade-offs that describe how a project can
meet its GHG and sustainability goals; and
WHEREAS, to further support transparency the Commission will review in public how
those sustainability goals are being accomplished and annually review upcoming large projects
that will likely come for authorization in any given year; and
WHEREAS, the policy will give the Port Commission the ability to transparently
authorize sustainability decisions for capital, operational decisions, procurement and leases by
considering short term financial implications and long term environmental and societal
benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle's focus on equity issues obligates the Port to consider its
impact on society and to collaborate with communities to promote diversity, inclusion, and
equity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Port of Seattle Commission:
The Port of Seattle hereby directs the Executive Director to implement the Sustainable
Evaluation Framework Policy Directive attached as Exhibit A.
ADOPTED by the Port of Seattle Commission at a duly noticed public meeting thereof,
held this
______ day of
_______________________________ , 2019, and duly
authenticated in open session by the signatures of the commissioners voting in favor thereof
and the seal of the commission.

Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive

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Port of Seattle Commission

Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive

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