City of Yelm Climate Resilience and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Planning

Confluence helped the City of Yelm integrate climate-related goals into their 25-year comprehensive plan.
In addition to the climate reiliency work, Confluence created visuals for other components of Yelm's comprehensive plan.
Confluence conducted a Climate Vulnerability Assessment to consider potential impacts on Yelm from extreme heat, wildfire, drought and flooding.
Yelm sought to increase their climate resiliency and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet state requirements (HB 1181).
Surrounding ecosystems have high vulnerability to climate impacts, which can be mitigated through policy on water and growth management.
Confluence helped identify policies and climate related goals using the best available science while prioritizing actions that benefit overburdened communities.

The City of Yelm was one of the first municipalities in Washington to integrate climate-related goals and policies into their Comprehensive Plan, in response to new state requirements (HB1181). They turned to Confluence to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) baselines, evaluate climate risks and recommend climate-related goals and policies.

Confluence began by helping Yelm secure state funding earmarked to help cities reduce their carbon footprint and become more climate resilient. Confluence then conducted a Climate Vulnerability Assessment, meticulously reviewing the City’s existing plans, policies, assets, and infrastructure to assess risks and potential impacts from extreme heat, flooding, wildfires, and other climate-related issues.

Confluence scientists also conducted a Greenhouse Gas Inventory to identify sources and quantities of current greenhouse emissions using ICLEI’s ClearPath tool, working with local utilities and planning councils to collect data. Confluence reviewed existing policies to identify those that support climate planning and used these baseline products to support the City in selecting additional climate planning goals and policies. During this process, Confluence also identified an overlapping opportunity to support stormwater planning for Yelm’s future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process. This was done by conducting a tree canopy height and elevation contour analysis using available LiDAR and remote sensing data, which provided Yelm with the data needed for both climate and stormwater runoff planning.

Throughout this project, Confluence ensured that HB 1181 regulations were met at each stage. This included partnering with the City of Yelm to facilitate public engagement and producing reports with visually engaging, data-driven graphics that informed community members while also involving them in a conversation about Yelm’s future growth.

Confluence Principal Ecologist, Phil Bloch said, “With these science-based climate planning goals and policies in their 2025 Comprehensive Plan, the City of Yelm will be better positioned to withstand and adapt to potential climate-related vulnerabilities.”

Project Location
Yelm, WA

Client
City of Yelm

Project Timeline
Ongoing since 2024