|
DATE: |
October 22, 2025 |
05 |
SUBJECT
Title
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - APPROVAL OF CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER TRAVEL OUT OF COUNTRY FOR JOINT PUBLIC DELEGATION ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Policy D-7, Out-of-County Business and Related Guidelines and Processes and Administrative Code section 470, this is a request to approve one staff from the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ) to attend a program hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Representatives from state and municipal governments and public universities across California and British Columbia were specifically invited for this five-day program, “Joint Public Delegation - California & British Columbia - Sustainable Urban Development.” The delegation will focus on global best practices and market opportunities to address transition risks and physical risks associated with climate change, considering pressing issues of extreme weather events and climate pattern shifts in the context of the need for energy efficient building regulation and technology, digital public service delivery, affordable housing, and the development of complete communities. The trip is fully funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark, including roundtrip airfare from San Diego to Denmark, transportation within Denmark, hotel accommodations, meals and related program expenses over the course of the program will be covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Today’s request is for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to approve the Chief Sustainability Officer’s travel to Denmark to participate in this delegation scheduled for November 17-21, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Per Administrative Code section 470, approve the Chief Sustainability Officer travel to Denmark for participation in the “Joint Public Delegation - California & British Columbia - Sustainable Urban Development” program scheduled for November 17-21, 2025.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ) advances collaborative sustainability solutions that repair systemic inequities and environmental burdens throughout the County organization and across the San Diego region. OSEJ pursues impact through interdepartmental and cross-sector partnerships, particularly focusing on initiatives that uplift individuals disproportionately and negatively impacted by past and current processes, programs, and policies. By participating in this high-level Joint Public Delegation with representatives across California, British Columbia, and Denmark, the Chief Sustainability Officer will have opportunities to discuss and learn best practices that combine economic and workforce development with strategies to address climate risks to enhance activities and outcomes that support communities served via the Regional Decarbonization Framework.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today's action contributes to County of San Diego Sustainability Goal #3 to transition to a green, carbon-free economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support green job creation and workforce development, and prepare for impacts of a changing climate. By approving the Chief Sustainability Officer’s participation in the fully funded Sustainable Urban Development program, the County will gain valuable insights from global leaders to address transition risks and physical risks associated with climate change that can be integrated into advanced strategies for regional programs and policy and strengthen the County's ongoing efforts to achieve ambitious sustainability and livability objectives. The delegation will consider pressing issues of extreme weather events and climate pattern shifts in the context of the need for energy efficient building regulation and technology, affordable housing, and the development of complete communities. In addition, engaging in this program provides a cross-cultural opportunity, as participants will include sustainability leaders from three countries.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with today’s request. The Chief Sustainability Officer will receive regular salary and benefits, and no overtime will be incurred as a result of this trip. Travel expenses, including roundtrip airfare from San Diego to Denmark, transportation within Denmark, hotel accommodations, meals and related program expenses over the course of the program will be covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. If the total cost of the travel expenses exceeds $5,000, OSEJ will return to the Board to ratify acceptance of the donation in accordance with Board policy A-112 and Admin Code section 66. There will be no change in the net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has pinpointed global sustainability and social responsibility as focal points for Denmark’s future economic diplomacy. In November 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark “Denmark in North America” team will host a fully sponsored, high-level public delegation from California and British Columbia (BC) to Denmark, centered on the theme of sustainable urban development. The visit brings together invited stakeholders from state and municipal governments and public universities, each playing a key role in shaping programs, policy, and infrastructure development.
The purpose of the delegation is to bridge the gap between Danish-California and Danish-BC experience, innovation, and know-how in sustainable urban development. The thematic areas for the planned discussions, site visits, and networking events range from energy efficiency regulation and technology to emerging building materials like mass timber, housing solutions, data and digitalization, and climate resilience. These topics are urgent priorities, as California and British Columbia face the dual challenges of reducing emissions from buildings while addressing housing affordability and growing climate risks, including wildfires, flooding, and rising energy costs. This delegation invites collaboration between North America’s west coast and Denmark as we work to address shared environmental and societal challenges alongside ambitious sustainability and livability goals. A primary outcome is to build bridges between Danish and North American experience and innovation, creating a platform for long-term cooperation.
The Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ) advances collaborative sustainability solutions that repair systemic inequities and environmental burdens throughout the County organization and across the San Diego region. The Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF) is OSEJ’s primary lens for climate action. Founded on science-based research and communities’ voiced priorities, the RDF promotes public, private, and civic interests working together to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2045. OSEJ facilitates initiatives with County departments, community-based organizations, other jurisdictions and agencies, Tribal nations, businesses, and residents to respond to the climate emergency with a social justice lens that improves residents’ quality of life and supports regional prosperity. Beneficial outcomes of these collective actions include community capacity building, expanded regional industry and workforce development, advancements toward a circular economy, carbon emissions reductions, and thriving people and places. Not only do the thematic areas for the delegation broadly align with the RDF, participation can directly inform Board directed OSEJ initiatives.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Sustainability, Empower, and Community Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan by fostering knowledge exchange and firsthand experience of novel technologies, regulations, governance models, and planning approaches, which will further the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice ability to optimize the Regional Decarbonization Framework and better serve as partners for County departments and the residents of San Diego County, while developing strong, collaborative relationships with global sustainability leaders.
Respectfully submitted,
DAHVIA LYNCH
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A