Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 3768
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(As Amended: November 19, 2019)
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A RESOLUTION of the Port of Seattle Commission establishing a Sustainable
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Evaluation Framework Policy Directive.
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle in the Century Agenda commits to create economic
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opportunity for all, steward our environment responsibly, partner with surrounding
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communities, institutions, governments and businesses, to promote social responsibility, to
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conduct ourselves transparently, and to hold ourselves accountable; and
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WHEREAS, the urgency of the climate crisis drives the need for innovative and far-
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reaching solutions; and
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission is committed to reducing our carbon
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footprint by in vesting in solutions to become the greenest and most efficient port in the
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nation and we are further committed to assisting and incentivizing those we do business to
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reach these goals; and
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has been a leader in assessing greenhouse gas emissions
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associated with capital projects and operations, and implementing mitigation strategies that
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reduce emissions that contribute to climate change; and
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission unanimously chartered the Energy and
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Sustainability Committee by motion on January 26, 2016 tasking the Committee primarily to
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develop and propose policy directives to guide the Port of Seattle’s greenhouse gas (GHG)
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emissions reductions effort, with a focus on energy efficiency and alternative energy
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generation; and
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse
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gas emissions in alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement and other regional governments;
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and
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WHEREAS, by 2050, the port committed to make its directly controlled emissions
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carbon neutral and to reduce its indirectly controlled sourced by 80 percent. We also have a
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short-term goal in 2020 to reduce direct emissions by 15% and a medium-term goal to reduce
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direct and indirect emissions by 50. We are currently negotiating the purchase of renewable
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natural gas that could get us to our 2030 goals in 2020; and
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Item Number: 8c_reso
Meeting Date: January 28, 2020
Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted recommendations of the
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Committee on December 19, 2017, directing staff to develop a Sustainability Project
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Framework to assist the port in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals
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by integrating sustainability considerations into key Port decisions is essential to achieving the
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Port’s long-term environmental and sustainability goals; and
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WHEREAS, integrating sustainability into capital and operational decisions early in the
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process building can reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts, and can create
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positive impacts on our climate and natural environment; and
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WHEREAS, the Sustainability Project Framework is also intended to increase
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transparency for the public and Port leadership regarding energy and sustainability related
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decision making on Port projects; and
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WHEREAS, transparency for the public is a bedrock principle of this policy, the
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Commission will review in public alternatives and trade-offs that describe how a project can
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meet its GHG and sustainability goals; and
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WHEREAS, to further support transparency the Commission will review in public how
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those sustainability goals are being accomplished and annually review upcoming large projects
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that will likely come for authorization in any given year; and
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WHEREAS, the policy will give the Port Commission the ability to transparently
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authorize sustainability decisions for capital, operational decisions, procurement and leases by
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considering short term financial implications and long term environmental and societal
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benefits; and
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle’s focus on equity issues obligates the Port to consider its
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impact on society and to collaborate with communities to promote diversity, inclusion, and
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equity;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Port of Seattle Commission:
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The Port of Seattle hereby directs the Executive Director to implement the Sustainable
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Evaluation Framework Policy Directive attached as Exhibit A.
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Resolution 3768, Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive Page 3 of 3
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ADOPTED by the Port of Seattle Commission at a duly noticed public meeting thereof,
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held this ______ day of _______________________________ , 2020, and duly
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authenticated in open session by the signatures of the commissioners voting in favor thereof
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and the seal of the commission.
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Port of Seattle Commission
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