The Building Efficiency strategy of the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to cut back on emissions by increasing the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings and reducing energy use in municipal facilities. Much of the energy that powers, heats, and cools buildings in our community is generated through the burning of fossil fuels like natural gas, which releases greenhouse gases (GHG) and other harmful emissions into the air. To reduce GHG emissions, the CAP aims to set higher energy efficiency standards for residential and commercial buildings, in addition to installing energy efficiency measures at municipal facilities. 

Implementation of the Building Efficiency strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s GHG emissions by 941 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 675 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to see what the City is doing to achieve these goals. 

The Renewable Energy Strategy in the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to increase supply and access to renewable energy for existing and new residences, commercial properties, and municipal facilities. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar and wind will reduce pollution, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

To accomplish this, the City’s CAP calls for the launch of a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program, the installation of solar panels on homes and businesses, and the addition of solar panels on municipal facilities, among other initiatives. Implementation of these measures is estimated to reduce the City’s GHG emissions by 434 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 20,935 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to see what the City is doing to achieve these goals. 

The Water Efficiency strategy of the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by encouraging the community to conserve water in their homes and businesses. Clean water is an essential but limited resource that is expected to be strained even further through projected drought conditions in a changing climate. We can reduce GHGs and enhance our resilience by ensuring we all use water in the most efficient ways possible. 

Implementation of water conservation measures is estimated to reduce GHG emissions by 712 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 795 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to learn about the City’s planned and ongoing actions to achieve these reductions. 

The Clean and Efficient Transportation strategy of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) leverages smart land use planning and other initiatives to encourage people to take transit, carpool, walk, or bike rather than drive alone. 

This strategy also includes initiatives meant to boost the use of electric and alternative fueled vehicles when driving is necessary. Achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from this strategy involves coordination with local and regional transportation and planning agencies, as well as residents and businesses. Implementation of the Clean and Efficient Transportation strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 4,481 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 5,900 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to learn about the City’s planned and ongoing actions to achieve these reductions. 

The Off-Road Equipment strategy of the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to cut back on emissions by prohibiting the use of gas-powered two-stroke leaf blowers. Transitioning away from fossil fuel powered landscape equipment will decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce noise from yard care activities, reduce air particulates and debris, and prevent many other harmful emissions from polluting the air. 

Implementation of this strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s GHG emissions by 128 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 142 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to see what the City is doing to achieve these goals. 

The Zero Waste strategy in the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to local landfills. Methane—a greenhouse gas (GHG) that is about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2)—is emitted when waste (primarily organic material) decomposes in landfills. Successful implementation of this strategy depends on the expansion of recycling and composting programs, in addition to participation from City residents and businesses to reduce waste and increase diversion. 

Implementation of the Zero Waste strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s GHG emissions by 2,830 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 9,216 MTCO2e by 2030. 

Explore the sections below to learn about the City’s planned and ongoing actions to achieve these goals. 

The Carbon Sequestration strategy in the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to facilitate the process of removing carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), from the atmosphere through natural or artificial means. This is referred to as carbon sequestration. Trees, algae, and other vegetation are referred to as “carbon sinks” because they naturally take in atmospheric CO2 through their respiration processes. An important way our community can improve its carbon sequestration potential is by increasing the number of trees planted and by maintaining a healthy urban tree canopy. 

Implementation of the Carbon Sequestration strategy is estimated to reduce the City’s GHG emissions by 5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 66 MTCO2e by 2030.

Explore the sections below to learn about the City’s planned and ongoing actions to achieve these GHG emissions reductions.