Climate Action Planning

Charleston County is creating its first Climate Action Plan through a collaborative process involving various stakeholders from the business, education, non-profit, and local government sectors.

Steps for Climate Action Plan:

Now that Charleston County has established baseline greenhouse gas emissions through its first Greenhouse Gas Inventory, it will be starting Climate Action Planning.

What are greenhouse gas emissions?

Greenhouse gases are dispersed in the Earth's atmosphere and trap solar radiation. The quantity of greenhouse gases determines the Earth's climate and human activities are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases and changing the global climate. Increased greenhouse gases cause global average surface temperature and atmospheric temperature to rise.

Why track greenhouse gas emissions?

It is important to track greenhouse gas emissions so we know the County's baseline emissions. Understanding what current emissions are will allow us to set goals for future emissions reduction and monitor if we are making progress in meeting those goals.

Climate action planning includes creating:

1. A Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee (RSAC)

   Members of the RSAC include:

   • Sally Brooks, County staff member
   • Diamond Curry, Chamber of Commerce
   • Vacant, Higher education institution
   • Kyle James, BCDCOG
   • Adrian Cain, Homebuilders Association
   • Scott Curtis, Resilience technical expert
   • Scott Runyon, Energy
   • Stewart Weinberg, Sustainability technical expert
   • Joe Boykin, County Council member

   For more information visit the RSAC webpage.

2. A Staff Expert Climate Advisory Team (SECAT)

   The SECAT is comprised of County staff, non-profit groups, higher education, and local municipalities:

   • City of Charleston
   • City of North Charleston
   • Town of Mount Pleasant
   • Town of James Island
   • MUSC
   • BCDCOG
   • Charleston Climate Coalition
   • Charleston County Fleet
   • Charleston County Facilities
   • Charleston County Economic Development
   • Charleston County Planning
   • Charleston County Finance
3. Emissions reduction goals

   Charleston County is working with members of the RSAC and SECAT to create emissions reductions goals for 2035 and 2050.

4. Emissions strategies within each sector to achieve the goals

   Creating and prioritizing emissions strategies based on reduction potential, feasibility, funding, co-benefits, and equity.