City Council Agenda and Packet 2018 07 10 SP

Home Browse Search

Page 11 Executive Summary Boulder County is committed to addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with levels specified by the Paris Climate Agreement Goal, which will help prevent a global temperature increase of 1.5 to 2°C. In 2012, Boulder County committed to reduce countywide GHG emissions by 40% by 2020 based on a 2005 baseline, and in 2018, the county committed to reduce GHG emissions by 45% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050 based on a 2005 baseline.' To understand how to reduce GHG emissions, Boulder County completed GHG emission inventories in 2005, 2011, and 2016 and modeled the GHG emission reduction potential for GHG emission reduction strategies. The initial inventories provide a baseline of activity, and the subsequent inventories provide insight into Boulder County's performance and ability to meet its carbon reduction goals. The identification and quantification of GHG emission reduction strategies provides insights as to how certain programs and policies may affect the county's GHG emissions and recommendations as to where the county should focus its efforts. Boulder County contracted with Lotus Engineering and Sustainability, LLC (Lotus) to complete their 2016 GHG emission inventory and model potential reductions in GHG emissions based on selected strategies. Key Findings from 2016 Inventory Boulder County is committed to addressing climate change at the local level by reducing GHG emissions. To meet GHG reduction goals, Boulder County needs to understand and track community -wide emissions by completing GHG inventories that highlight emissions from each municipality, source, and sector. To date, Boulder County has completed three GHG inventories (2005, 2011, and 2016), which provide a picture of GHG emissions created by the activities of Boulder County residents, businesses, and industries. This report includes a comparison of Boulder County's 2011 and 2016 inventories; specifically, changes in actual emissions by sector and source, as well as changes in factors that influence emissions, such as Boulder County's demographics and utility emission factors. By reviewing and comparing the 2011 GHG inventory to the current 2016 GHG inventory, Boulder County can begin to track and understand trends in emissions from specific sectors, and where Boulder County should focus its efforts to successfully meet GHG reduction goals. This comparison creates a dynamic feedback loop that can inform and shape future improvement strategies. In recent years, Boulder County experienced significant economic growth that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Even with this growth, between 2005 and 2016, countywide 1 Countywide includes emissions from all municipalities as well as unincorporated Boulder County. 12