602.1 Climate change refers to long-term shifts in the climate, including global temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns. Washington, DC’s climate is changing because the earth is heating. In urban areas, GHGs from human activities such as heating and cooling buildings and transportation are the most significant driver of observed climate change since the mid-20^th century. People have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by 40 percent since the late 1700s. Other heat-trapping GHGs are also increasing. These gases have warmed Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere by about one degree during the last 50 years. Evaporation increases as the atmosphere heats, which increases humidity, average rainfall, and the frequency of heavy rainstorms in many places—but contributes to drought in others.

602.2 The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that pledges made in Paris in 2015 by the world’s governments to reduce GHGs will not be enough to keep global warming from rising nearly three degrees (°F) above pre-industrial temperatures. These global changes have serious consequences at the District level, as Washington, DC is already experiencing the impacts of human-made climate change. The region has warmed by more than two degrees (°F) in the last century. Hot days and heavy rainstorms and snowstorms are more frequent, and the tidal Potomac is rising about one inch every eight years due to rising sea levels and land subsidence. In the coming decades, climate change is likely to increase tidal flooding, cause more heavy precipitation events, and increase risks to human health and the built environment. The District will experience warmer average temperatures and two to three times as many dangerously hot days.

602.3 District government is approaching climate change on three tracks: mitigation locally, adaptation locally, and demonstrated leadership nationally and globally. Mitigation refers to reducing GHG emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide). Washington, DC is committed to becoming carbon-neutral and climate resilient by 2050. Progress toward this goal is measured by an annual inventory of the District’s GHGs. From 2006 (when the District began tracking GHGs) through 2016, emissions have fallen by approximately 29 percent, on track to meet the interim goal of reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2032.

602.4 Figure 6.1 District-wide Emissions and Targets

(Source: DOEE)

602.5 Adaptation means adjusting to the impacts of climate change and doing so in a way that supports wider efforts to make Washington, DC healthier and more livable. Washington, DC will prepare for potential shocks and stressors brought on by climate change through environmental and built environment approaches that provide multiple community benefits. These solutions include the conservation of the naturally protective features of environmental assets or ecosystem services, the expansion of GI, and the inclusion of non-structural land uses (e.g., parks) in hazardous, environmentally sensitive locations. It also means designing buildings to be more responsive to threats posed by flooding and urban heat. These solutions should continue to be integrated with other community goals to improve quality of life through the promotion of environmental justice and sustainability, the preservation or restoration of natural resources, and the provision of additional trees, public parks, recreation areas, and open space.

602.6

Map 6.1 Average Land Surface Temperature

OPD0000241

(Source: DOEE and the Environment July 2014-2018)

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).