Sustainability, Climate, and Environment
The Sustainability, Climate, and Environment (SCE) Element
The Sustainability, Climate, and Environment (SCE) Element establishes city-wide goals and policies designed to advance Kirkland’s continued efforts in maintaining a biologically sound natural environment. Combined with future-focused development principles that guide the built environment, these policies ensure a livable and sustainable community for generations to come.
Cities can only be sustainable if their growth considers the environment that they depend upon for clean air, fresh water, food supplies, and other ecosystem services. Globally, the sustainability of human life— including that of vulnerable populations— requires both equitable distribution of economic resources and protection of a healthy environment.
Equally important, communities like ours must implement resiliency and adaptability policies into our plans so that we can collectively adapt to the ever-changing environment in a socially responsible manner.
SCE Policies emerge from three main components of the element: Natural Systems Management, the Built Environment, and Climate Change
Natural Systems
Restore and protect our natural systems and critical areas including streams, wetlands, habitat areas, trees and Lake Washington for maximum ecological value and function.
Built Environment
Provide regional leadership in the built environment by incentivizing and in some cases requiring sustainable development that meets the most rigorous high performing building standards.
Climate Change
Prepare our community for the inevitable climate impacts facing our region (rising sea levels, severe weather events, extreme heat events, droughts, wildfires), reduce the use of energy and fossil fuels while embracing renewable energy such as solar and wind. Reinforce climate action programs, initiatives and steps the community can take to help Kirkland reach its carbon reduction goals.
2044 Update: SCE Element Topics
There are seven study issues or policy concepts that staff has explored through the update to the SCE Element. The list of SCE study issues below was confirmed by Planning Commission and City Council at a joint meeting in July 2023.
- Analyze the impacts of moving the community toward electrification and away from fossil fuel use and how it affects the integrity of the energy grid
- Encourage more intense water conservation measures
- Update policies for Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure such as EV charging stations and other electric mobility options such as bicycles and scooters
- Update climate policies that mitigate impacts related to climate change
- Update climate preparedness policies that make the community more resilient to climate change
- Incorporate many of the sustainability and environmental requirements from the NE 85th Street Station Area Plan in the rest of the City
- Preserve and enhance the tree canopy and other open spaces to reduce carbon emissions
The draft revised SCE Element goals and policies are available in the menu below.
4 Result(s) Found
Draft versions of the updated Sustainability, Climate, and Environment Goals & Policies will be posted below as they are developed by City staff and discussed by Planning Commission and City Council.