Ensuring Effective Implementation of City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan

In 2022, two environmental groups challenged the City of San Diego’s adoption of a Climate Action Plan with ambitious goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions but no effective implementation plan. The CEQA action led to a settlement in which the City agreed to make regular reports on its progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The settlement also includes an objective trigger that requires the City to change course if current measures aren’t doing enough. Using CEQA, the environmental groups thus ensured the City will make meaningful progress in implementing the Climate Action Plan and be able to change course if necessary.