Environmental Sustainability

Creating an environmentally sustainable community has always been a top priority in Solana Beach. Since becoming the first City in the State of California to ban smoking on its public beaches in 2003, Solana Beach has been a trail blazer for municipal environmental action--the first to ban plastic bags, the first to establish a Community Choice Energy program, and more.

Despite significant progress, there is more work that urgently needs to be done to scale back global warming and ensure our City and region can adapt to whatever climate changes may occur.  To emphasize the urgency, City Council declared a Climate Emergency on August 26, 2020.

The City adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2017 setting an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from City activities by 50% below 2010 levels by 2035. The latest SANDAG GHG inventory completed in 2018 shows that the City has already reduced emissions by 40%.

In 2020, City Council updated the Climate Adaptation Chapter (Chapter 4) to incorporate the latest adaptation research and recommendations as well as to introduce environmental justice considerations.

The City anticipates revising its Climate Action Plan in 2022. 

View the 2017 Climate Action Plan

2020 Chapter 4 Amendment

Policy Initiatives

Solana Beach has been an early adopter of many environmental policies later implemented by other jurisdictions and even by the State of California. 

Ongoing Initiatives:

• Clean Energy Alliance 
• Building Decarbonization
• Balloon Ordinance

Historical Highlights:

• Smoking Ban On Public Beaches
• Plastic Bag/Polystyrene Takeout Container Ban
• Single-Use Plastics Ban
• Solana Beach Energy Alliance (SEA)

Coastal Planning Programs

The City of Solana Beach is a proactive leader in developing a comprehensive shoreline management program in response to sea level rise, storm damage, sediment management and other challenges to our coastal areas. All coastal planning programs are managed by the Community Services Department: Find out more 

Organics Recycling & Food Donation (SB 1383)

Visit this page to find out what you need to know about Senate Bill 1383 and its requirements on proper disposal of organic waste and edible food donation.

Recycling Resources

Visit this page for information about when, what and where you can recycle.