Costa Mesa is making progress on its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP)!  A CAAP is a community-driven roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate impacts, and support a healthier, more resilient city.

Over the past year, City staff and consultants have been gathering data, assessing climate risks, and engaging residents, businesses, students, and community partners through events like Earth Day, Concerts in the Park, surveys, and stakeholder meetings. What we’ve heard is clear: our community cares about clean energy, greener neighborhoods, better transportation options, and planning for the future.

Join us for the February 3^rd, City Council Meeting where staff will provide a status and outreach update to the City Council, including what we’ve learned so far and what’s coming next as the CAAP moves into policy development. Community members are encouraged to tune in or attend to learn more about how Costa Mesa is planning for a sustainable future.

Building a Sustainable & Resilient Future

What is a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP)?

A Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prepare our community for the impacts of climate change. It provides actionable strategies that benefit our city, environment, and residents by:

• Cutting emissions and improving air quality
• Increasing climate resilience and disaster preparedness
• Enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability
• Creating a healthier, greener Costa Mesa

What is climate change?

Have you noticed that summers are getting hotter? Or that wildfires and big storms seem to be happening more often? That’s climate change. It means the Earth’s usual weather patterns are shifting. It’s getting warmer overall, and that’s causing changes in how much rain we get, how strong storms are, and even how plants and animals live. This is caused by greenhouse gases (GHG).  The sun sends energy to the Earth in the form of sunlight, but some of that energy gets trapped by GHG.  Those gases act like a blanket, trapping heat and sending it back down to Earth.  Because of this, the Earth gets warmer. This is natural, but human activities like burning gas and cutting down trees are making that blanket thicker—so more heat gets trapped, and that causes climate change.

Why should Costa Mesa have a CAAP?

Climate change is already impacting our lives through extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, and air pollution. The Costa Mesa CAAP will help us:

• Protect our environment – Reduce pollution and conserve natural resources
• Safeguard our community – Prepare for climate-related hazards
• Support economic growth – Promote sustainable businesses and job creation
• Plan for Our Future – Align with state and federal climate goals and provide access to state grants

Sustainability in Costa Mesa

Preparing the CAAP reflects the City Council's goal to advance environmental sustainability and climate resiliency.  The CAAP will help provide a roadmap to: 

• Reduce Costa Mesa’s carbon footprint
• Minimize waste and increase efficiency
• Enhance public health and environmental quality
• Collaborate with businesses and community organizations

Learn more about Costa Mesa’s sustainability initiatives here.

What’s in the CAAP?

The CAAP will outline a strategy to reduce emissions and improve climate resilience, focusing on:

• GHG Emissions Inventory – Assessing Costa Mesa’s emissions
• Clean Energy & Transportation – Expanding renewable energy & electric vehicle adoption
• Water Conservation & Waste Reduction – Reducing consumption and promoting recycling
• Resilient Communities – Protecting vulnerable populations from climate hazards

How will it be implemented?

The CAAP will provide clear goals and measurable targets, tailored strategies to address local climate impacts, and funding and policy recommendations for long-term success.

How Can You Help?

We need your input! The City of Costa Mesa is committed to community collaboration and will provide multiple opportunities for engagement throughout the CAAP’s development.  Here are the opportunities for you to participate in the CAAP planning process.

• Community Survey is now complete. Thank you to everyone that participated!
• Stay updated by emailing sustainability@costamesaca.gov to subscribe to CAAP email notifications.
• Review and comment on the draft CAAP before adoption.

Join Us in Creating a More Sustainable Costa Mesa!

Together, we can make Costa Mesa a leader in sustainability and climate action. Stay engaged, provide input, and be part of the change!

Thank you to all who attended the Earth Day Festival at City Hall on April 26, 2025! Residents learned about climate-related issues, wrote their ideas for a more climate friendly and resilient Costa Mesa, took the survey, and kids drew their vision of an environmentally friendly Costa Mesa! 

Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding Climate Action & Adaptation

Still have questions? Contact us at:
Email: sustainability@costamesaca.gov