Sustainability Strategic Plan

We all share the air, water, and natural resources with each other and wildlife. We need to manage resources thoughtfully so we don't damage them or use them up.

Keeping our air and water clean will make Kirkland healthier for people and wildlife. Using less energy leaves more to share and lowers our climate impact. Reducing our waste and recycling what we can makes the most of materials.

The Plan reduces energy use and emissions, protects the natural environment, and prioritizes how to use materials.

To be sustainable, the community needs a robust economy where people can earn a living. Having many types of businesses in the city supports residents and other businesses. People can meet their needs locally if a variety of goods and services are available.

The Plan incorporates goals for supporting our local business community. The City can help businesses follow good environmental practices.

A sustainable community represents all its members. Everyone should have access to clean air, clean water, natural spaces, and healthy food. No one group of people should bear the burden of pollution. Walking, biking, and rolling around Kirkland should be safe for all.

The Plan prioritizes actions that will improve environmental outcomes for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC) in our community. The City can better listen to people who historically haven't been represented in decision-making. The Plan includes steps to make the community healthier and inclusive.

Learn more about environmental justice at the City.

Purpose

In 2015, the City identified in its Comprehensive Plan update the benefit of having a Sustainability Master Plan. Such a plan could identify best practices that allow Kirkland’s many sustainability strategies to be implemented, measured, and, if needed, adjusted to achieve a livable and sustainable community. The City Council identified the creation of a Sustainability Master Plan as part of the City’s 2019-2020 Work Program.

As a result, the City Manager directed City staff to consult with key stakeholders in our community, including Kirkland neighborhood associations, environmental groups, the business community, the development community, and others, to:

1. Identify community priorities for environmental, economic, and social sustainability;
2. Explore specific actions that the City might undertake to support the identified priorities; and
3. Prioritize the action items in a clear implementation plan.

Past Environmental Planning at the City

This is the not the first time the City has created a plan that addressed environmental issues in Kirkland. The Natural Resources Management Plan was adopted in 2002 and many other plans since then have touched on issues such as climate, stormwater, transportation, urban forestry, and housing. These topics are inextricably connected to sustainability. This Sustainability Master Plan is different from all the previously adopted City plans because it pulls together all these broad focus areas into one plan and it includes an Implementation Section that helps decision-makers prioritize which actions to pursue in the near, medium, and long term.

Extensive outreach was performed in the community and internally to City staff to learn what we should be focused on to create a more sustainable Kirkland and the action steps that we could take to achieve this goal. Staff utilized the Themed Resident Engagement Kirkland (TREK) methodology and, with the assistance of the City Manager’s Office, hosted two major events, conducted nine focus groups, and published an online survey. All of these provided for robust public participation in the creation of the SMP.

The second major outreach event was a Sustainability Summit held as part of the City’s annual City Hall for All event. Conducted in a similar style as the Sustainability Forum, this event focused on showing the community what staff had done with the information that was provided at the Sustainability Forum, and included a Sustainability Fair, where community members could learn what actions they could take to reduce their impacts on the environment.

After these major outreach events, staff continued to work with a group of local community members that are also involved in environmental issues and in conjunction with groups such as the Sierra Club and People for Climate Action – Kirkland. This group of committed community members served as a sounding board for many good ideas generated by the community and contributed immensely to the development of this plan.

Development of the Plan and Public Process

View background information from various City Council meetings:

City staff developed the Sustainability Master Plan after collecting input from the community around environmental goals. Subject matter experts (staff members and community experts) provided input on the goals and technical actions. Council provided direction at multiple steps in the process and reviewed the document extensively.

All actions in the plan were evaluated and rated using the sustainability decision-making tool. Ratings were completed by a minimum of two staff members.

The plan is colorful, full of imagery, and designed to be readable by all members of the community. It is considered a living document, and will be updated in the future.