Comm No 0017.01 - Response - R&D - CA-3 - Climate Change and Resiliency

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Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawaii DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 (808) 961-8366 • Fax (808) 935-1205 E-mail: chresdev@hawalicounty.gov MEMORANDUM Date: December 3, 2018 To: Douglass Shipman Adams, Chair, Hawai`i. County Charter Commission From: Diane Ley, Director, Department of Research and Developmen Ron Whitmore, Deputy Director, Department of Research and RE: Climate Change Responsibilities, Programs, Actions for the Department of Research and. Development Diane L. Ley Director Ron Whitmore Deputy Director CD We are writing in response to your November 16, 2018 mein() seeking our input regarding the Department. of Research and Development's role in coordinating the County's response to climate change and the programs and activities the department directly or indirectly participates in with regard to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change. The Mission of the Department of Research and Development Section 6-8.3 of the County Charter charges the Director of Research and Development (R&D) to: (a) Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative decision-making, and program and policy-making. (b) Provide staff leadership for public and private development programs, enterprises and plans, including economic, social and cultural proposals, which enhance and improve the county community. In addition, Flawai `i County Code Chapter 2, Article 8 outlines the role of the "Sustainability Action Committee" that sits "in an advisory capacity to the director of the department [of Research and Development} on matters that support a sustainable economy, society and environment....The sustainability action committee shall make recommendations and support the department's integration of planning and implementation of sustainable principles in its work...." R&D, therefore, informs planning, policy, and programmatic decision-making with data -driven research and collaborates in the development and funding of initiatives seeking environmental, community, and economic sustainability. It does this through programs advancing knowledge management, economic development, energy, and sustainable development. Please refer to our September 14, 2018 presentation to the Commission for additional details about the mission and focus of the Department of Research and Development. The Department of Research and Development's Role in. Coordinating Climate Change Responses Mayor Kim understands and supports the County's state -mandated obligation to transition to 100% renewable power generation and net carbon neutrality by 2045. He also recognizes the critical need to plan for climate change impacts like sea level rise, severe storms, drought, and rising air and sea temperatures. Mayor Kim has joined the mayors of the other three counties in committing to the Paris Climate Change Agreement and in establishing a goal of 100% renewable transportation by 2045. Bearing in mind R&D's mission, Mayor Kim asked the Department to coordinate the development and implementation of climate change strategies with other County agencies and external partners. To do that, R&D draws on resources available through local, national, and international sustainability networks as well as the expertise of a growing "climate team." That team within R&D currently includes the County's Energy Specialist, an AmeriCorps*'VISTA Climate Change Specialist, and the Deputy Director. R&D is. Comm. No. 17.1 Hawai''i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer