Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory & Action Plan

EcoAction Partners along with regional leaders tracks greenhouse gas emissions, sets goals and coordinates actions. 

2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions InventorY

Results:

The 2020 consumption data and emissions factors used to create this chart can be found in this spreadsheet.

Forecasting: Business As Usual

This ”business as usual” forecast includes TriState’s emission reduction promises detailed in their Responsible Energy Plan – 50% renewable supply by 2024, and 100% renewable supply by 2040. Though this trajectory will noticeably reduce our emissions associated with grid supplied electricity, it will not bring our region in line with either 2030 or 2050 GHG reduction goals without implementing additional strategies. The increasing trend of GHG emissions is due to a growing tourism economy. While the rate of this growth is predicted to decrease it continues to impact all sectors except residential energy use.

Fortunately, because we have the support of both SMPA and TriState in the renewable energy transition, we can focus on reduction strategies outside of grid supplied electricity, namely local renewable energy production, beneficial electrification, waste reduction, transportation, and consumption-based emissions (which includes waste, food, and cement).

Forecasting: Reduction Pathways

This chart displays the combined effects of both high-level and localized reduction strategies, including EV adoption, conversion of residential and commercial spaces from natural gas heating to electric heat pumps or boilers, improved building energy codes, and other actions outlined in this plan.

This pathway shows that we can significantly reduce our GHG emissions associated with both residential and commercial energy use. However, if our tourism economy continues to grow at the current pace, we will need to implement creative comprehensive policies and actions in order to reduce our emissions associated with commercial buildings, transportation and material consumption to reach our goals.