What We’re Doing to Reach Our Goals

Informed by the assessments, a Climate Action Plan was formed to carry out a 50% reduction in emissions with equity and resiliency as priorities. The strategies were divided by nine sectors, each with suggestions for City Council members, City Hall staff, Businesses, and Individuals.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

Bee Branch

· This project provided much needed flood mitigation to affected communities while also building up our greenspace and tree canopy. 

Renewable Natural Gas

· In 2021, the City began to capture methane gas being emitted from the landfill. Once cleaned, it is sold as Renewable Natural Gas. This is a huge win for lowering our greenhouse gas emissions as it is profitable and practical.

Public Transportation Reroute

· The city used traveler data to analyze important transit routes. Our public transportation was updated introducing programs like Rack and Ride. There was a 16% increase in ridership over 5 years.

Climate Action Coordinator

· The City added a position in the Office of Sustainability that will focus on coordinating the goals of the 50% by 2030 Community Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. Working with both the community and other departments they will advocate for our climate needs and goals in many different sectors of the city.

WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON

Renew DBQ

· The city is currently working with local solar installers and residences with low-to-moderate incomes to install solar panels. Solar array designs are being finalized and installed. The program is seeking additional funding. (Updated 1/2024)

City Fleet Electrification

·  In 2020 the City of Dubuque conducted a feasibility study for fleet electrification. We continue to explore opportunities for charging infrastructure and adding EVs to the fleet. (Updated 1/2024)

Tree Giveaway

· The Office of Sustainability partnered with DBQ Trees Forever to provide vouchers to homeowners to purchase Iowa native trees and provide care information. Beginning Spring 2024, the City will begin a massive tree planting effort, thanks to a $1.5 Million grant award from the US Forest Service. Check the Branching Out Dubuque page for more information. (Updated 1/2024)

FUTURE PROPOSALS

These are things we can encourage our city officials to do and to keep in mind when thinking about policy implementation!

Advocate for stronger state policy for renewable energy

Implement energy efficiency standards for all sectors

Promote financial incentives for energy efficiency

Increase utility scale renewable energy systems

Support city wide electric vehicle transition

Decrease vehicle travel city wide and increase neutral mode transportation with commuter incentives

Increase pedestrian access and safety

Expand recycling options city wide

Divert the captured landfill gas for efficient use

Establish stronger waste education

Divert and reduce 50% of waste

Incentivize water conservation

Prepare a comprehensive wastewater management system

Identify and support flood risk areas

Update public infrastructure designs to meet climate change projections

Improve wastewater pollution prevention

Develop metrics to determine and implement climate change impact assessments into city planning

Keep the city’s emergency response plans updated and accounting for climate change impacts

Incentivize climate adaptive infrastructure for residential buildings

Implement air quality monitoring

Strengthen farm to table pathways

Revise zoning ordinances and identify space for more community gardens

Find funding for a shared food processing facility

Combine farmland conservation and Imagine Dubuque priorities

Create a tree preservation ordinance

Incentivize untraditional and sustainable lawns for homeowners

Identify high temperature areas and use permitting to implement heat island mitigation strategies

Transition city property maintenance to carbon gardening practices 

Identify funding sources to give credit to underserved markets and populations in efforts to advance the climate action plan

Establish a restore building for salvaged resources

Increase workforce development for the climate economy

Explore a carbon impact fee

Create an ordinance to expand residential food scrap collection

Develop city infrastructure and capital budgets that include climate risk and considerations for future climate conditions

Work with donors, philanthropists, and non-profit organizations to build a climate action and equity fund