Climate Action Plan Update - CAP 2.0

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

This project has concluded. More more information, visit cupertino.org/climateaction.

Cupertino's Climate Action Plan 2.0 was adopted by City Council on August 16, 2022. Thank you to all the contributing community members who helped shape this important document.
Please visit cupertino.org/climateaction to stay up to date with the implementation progress.



The City of Cupertino’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 is designed to be a blueprint of our community’s response to the challenges posed by climate change, recognizing our responsibility as an emissions generator and as a guardian of our locality and all of its members. We need you, the citizens of Cupertino, to help us form the blueprint!

What is a

Cupertino's Climate Action Plan 2.0 was adopted by City Council on August 16, 2022. Thank you to all the contributing community members who helped shape this important document.
Please visit cupertino.org/climateaction to stay up to date with the implementation progress.



The City of Cupertino’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 is designed to be a blueprint of our community’s response to the challenges posed by climate change, recognizing our responsibility as an emissions generator and as a guardian of our locality and all of its members. We need you, the citizens of Cupertino, to help us form the blueprint!

What is a climate action plan?

At its basic level, climate action planning seeks to identify emissions reduction strategies that are informed by the goals, values, and priorities of our community. Cupertino has 5 Climate Action Plan objectives:

  • Demonstrate environmental leadership
  • Save money and promote green jobs
  • Comply with the letter and spirit of state environmental initiatives
  • Promote sustainable development
  • Support regional climate change efforts

Why is it important?

Climate Action Plan helps us to prioritize and monitor the progress we make as a City to a better, healthier, world. Climate action helps to:

  • Create a healthier environment
  • Improve human health
  • Create economic opportunities
  • Help families thrive



This work is not possible without the help from people like you.

How you can get involved and help develop climate action in Cupertino

  1. Take the Survey below to provide direct feedback
    • This survey will be a valuable form of communication to let us know what you are thinking. The third CAP 2.0 survey is now available for anyone to take. This survey will be open from April 19 to May 13.
  2. Attend Workshops and City Meetings listed under Key Dates
    • We will have 3 public workshops planned as part of this update process:
      • Workshop 1 will provide you with a baseline understanding of our climate action in Cupertino, we will gather ideas, hear your priorities, and concerns. This workshop was held on July 29 at 5:30 p.m.
      • Workshop 2 is dedicated on collaborative planning. We plan to dive into the measures and actions that could be included. This workshop is scheduled for October 11 at 5:30 p.m.
      • Workshop 3 is a time to give feedback on the draft CAP update and help plan for implementation. Look for us in the community at the following places:
        • Cupertino Earth Day Festival - April 23, from 11-3
        • Cupertino Library
        • Cupertino Senior Center
        • De Anza College Campus
        • and more!
  3. Follow the Project to get email notification for more upcoming opportunities
    • We will send you periodic updates throughout the process, alert you about upcoming workshops, and provide you with surveys where you can give direct feedback.

This project has concluded. More more information, visit cupertino.org/climateaction.

Please let us know your questions, comments, or thoughts about Cupertino's Climate Action Plan update. Your feedback is valuable to us and we could not do this work with out you. 

We ask for your email address when leaving a question or comment so we can write back to you. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    * The City has tree planting program. I would like to see all parking strips that are paved over be converted to permeable surfaces and then plant trees in these reworked areas. I notice this in my area particularly on homes that are rentals. * More intersections that allow traffic to flow, that is “no right on red signs” on McClellan Bubb and Stelling be changed to no right on red when bicyclists are present * Manage traffic flow better with “round about”, blinking yellow or red lights not solid red lights. * Take out sod from every City building i.e. the Quinlan Center. Replace this sod with milkweed for Monarch and drought tolerant plants and plants that attract pollinators. * All City Parks must include a segment of the park for drought tolerant plants and plants that attract pollinators. * The City of Santa Monica has a “Cash for Grass” program where they rebate residents to take out their lawns and put in a bio diverse landscape. Artificial Turf is not included for these reasons. https://www.smgov.net/Departments/OSE/categories/water.aspx .https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/OSE/Categories/Landscape/Why_Artificial_Turf_is_not_rebated.pdf * Solid waste; offer City residents a place to recycle their clothing. https://www.roadrunnerwm.com/blog/textile-waste-environmental-crisis

    RB asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Climate Action Plan update. We appreciate your input and will take your comments into consideration as we draft our CAP 2.0. We hope you stay involved as the process moves forward. The City could not accomplish a project like this without engaged residents like yourself.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    What is considered “native” for native trees? Native 100 years ago? 200 years ago? “Climate appropriate trees” may be more appropriate.

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    The selection of trees, how we define “native” species, and consideration of climate and drought tolerance of the trees will be part of the Urban Forestry Management Plan development process, in consultation with the City Arborist.  

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Regarding prioritizing low-income areas of Cupertino with less existing tree canopy: Equity is not only at the [socioeconomic] level but also at the [geographic] level. Some areas of the city do have less trees and those areas should be prioritized. Perhaps, the areas with denser population should be prioritized too since they tend to have more pedestrian traffic and could benefit from more tree canopy to absorb more carbon dioxide.

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    Need for tree cover can include variables such as population density, percentage of impervious surface, pedestrian and bike traffic, and protection of vulnerable populations. Geographic distribution of tree cover will be considered as part of the Urban Forestry Management Plan. This is especially important given our findings that urban heat island effect will only increase as hot days become more frequent.  

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Regarding engaging with local CBOs with connections to low-income communities of color: Engagement should cover the entire city to understand what types of trees each neighborhood might prefer. Ideally, residents in each neighborhood and/or street chooses a few favored trees so that each street has its own characteristics, as seen in other cities.

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    Thank you for this feedback. We have updated the draft Measure to include public outreach in addition to identifying the most appropriate climate-adapted species.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Could we somehow require zero-loss in carbon storage with each new SB 9 project?

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    As part of development of an Urban Forest Management Plan, we recommend providing City Council with options that could minimize the loss of trees during construction and development activities. We understand that the Planning Division currently seeks out replacement of trees on a 2:1 basis when reviewing new development proposals.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Where do we plan to plant these 24,000 trees?

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    During the public comment process and staff review of the draft measures, the project team determined that number of trees may be possible with available land space (according to a high-level analysis on our TreePlotter tool), but not feasible to achieve in that time-frame. The draft measure was modified to focus on developing an Urban Forest Management Plan. The development of this UFMP will provide detailed analysis on the proper tree species for a climate-adapted Cupertino, and provide detailed guidance on locations, funding, and planting strategy for an urban forest that provides carbon sequestration benefits. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    What's the basis to determine that we need to add 1,000 new publicly accessible Level 2 and 3 electric vehicle charging ports by 2020, given that the goal is to achieve 35% ZEV by 2035? How many of these 1,000 charging stations would be installed at commercial areas by those commercial property owners? How many would need to be installed on city-owned properties or on the public right of ways, I suppose?

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    Installation of EV chargers is forecasted to take place by both private property owners public agencies, and institutions. A more detailed analysis will be presented in the technical appendix to the draft CAP. The City has a number of tools available to reach this target, such as streamlining permit processes or developing effective public/private partnerships to seek out grant funds. The installation, timing, siting, and other aspects of installation of these chargers will be determined through a planning process as part of the implementation of the updated CAP 2.0.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Some locations might need the super-fast chargers like DCFCs, but it probably would be just a backup method since most will charge where they live, which were not possible with gas-powered cars?

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    Many electric car owners will do most of their charging at home using Level 1 or Level 2. Electric car owners who live in multi-family homes, however, may not have access to home charging outlets and rely on public Level 2 or DC chargers in their neighborhood or at their workplace. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is actively working on analysis and planning to address this discrepancy in available electric vehicle charging access for renters in multi-family homes. As part of our CAP update, we will incorporate measures and actions to support SVCE’s efforts to ensure that electric vehicle charging is accessible and convenient regardless of where a person lives or works in Cupertino.  

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Based on research (https://freewiretech.com/difference-between-ev-charging-levels/), most homes will have L1 chargers if they have electric cars and 20% of multi-unit apartments should have L2 chargers for their tenants. What's the percentage of parking spaces to require charging stations in our Muni Code? 20%?

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    Our municipal code has the following requirements for newly constructed multi-family buildings: 

    • Multi-family buildings less than or equal to 20 units: one parking space per dwelling unit with parking provided with (1) Level 2 EV Ready Circuit 

    • Multi-family buildings greater than 20 units: 25% of dwelling units with parking spaces provided with (1) Level 2 EV Ready Circuit. Each remaining dwelling unit with parking space provided with (1) Level 1 Ready Circuit. 

    *EV Ready: Parking space is provided with all power supply and associated outlet, such that a charging station can be plugged in and a vehicle can charge. The charging station is not required to be installed. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    It would be good to know the actual cost and projected cost in 2035 for charging an electric vehicle at home and installing a home EV charger.

    Workshop Attendee asked about 2 years ago

    The cost to charge an EV varies based on the vehicle model and the method of charging the vehicle. Below are examples of costs to charge an electric car provided by the California Air Resources Board:  

    Home charging:  

    “While electricity costs vary, the average price in California is about 18 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). At this price, charging an electric car such as the Nissan LEAF with a 40-kWh battery with a 150-mile range would cost about $7 to fully charge. Meanwhile, fueling a 25-mpg gas vehicle at a gas price of $3.70 per gallon would cost about $22 for enough gas to drive approximately 150 miles.” 

    Public charging: 

    “Drivers in California may expect to pay 30 cents per kWh to charge on Level 2, and 40 cents per kWh for DC fast charging. At these rates, the same Nissan LEAF with a 150-mile range and 40-kWh battery would cost about $12.00 to fully charge (from empty to full) using Level 2, and $16.00 with DC fast charging.” 

    Source: https://driveclean.ca.gov/electric-car-charging  

    Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s EV Assistant provides a useful tool to compare the cost to fill up an electric vehicle vs a similar gasoline car: https://ev.svcleanenergy.org/   

    Silicon Valley Clean Energy also provides a portal to price out and compare different home EV chargers: https://ev.svcleanenergy.org/home-chargers