The greenhouse gas emissions of Juneau have decreased by more than 30% over the past decade according to a recent report. This is in line with a plan established in 2011 to reduce local carbon emissions – however, a lot has changed since when it was set.
The experts on climate have now emphasized the need for more ambitious emissions reduction targets to prevent extreme global warming. enormous amounts of federal funding are now available to assist local governments reach their targets.
Denise Koch, the city’s deputy director of public works said the report, which examines the greenhouse gas emissions of Juneau from 2021 -is crucial to determine the best way to implement local climate actions.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”I consider it to be a fundamental text,” Koch said. “Once you understand the source of your emissions from, you are able to take choices.”
It’s virtually impossible to measure the progress towards achieving the climate goals without a record of data. The Juneau data isn’t as comprehensive and the document is the first time that the city has compiled a report on its energy consumption and emissions in more than 10 years. The report reveals that the town is utilizing more renewable energy sources and releasing less greenhouse gas, however it doesn’t reveal where those gains are coming from.
Steve Behnke, energy chair for the Juneau Commission on Sustainability, says there is no one step that can reduce emissions in a sufficient way.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”There isn’t anything that can be said to have silver,” Behnke said. “You need to achieve small gains on a variety of aspects .”
What the report offers is a greater knowledge of where these current fronts are. The most polluting sectors in Juneau are buildings and transportation that release 47 25 percent and 47 percent of the local greenhouse gases, in the respective sectors. The majority of this is due to the usage of heating or diesel fuels.
In Juneau, there is a supply of affordable renewable hydropower is an widely available carbon-cutting option.
It’s a good thing that we have a style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”That’s an actual benefit for the neighborhood,” Koch said. “So as we progress forward and electrify our transportation and buildings, that’s moving us toward that net zero-per-year .”
A number of major city and community-led climate initiatives focus on the transition to renewable energy sources.
Capital Transit, for instance has placed an order for seven electric buses, which will be added to the city’s fleet in the summer of next year. This could mean replacing thousands of gallon of diesel fuel with pure electric power. Local non-profits such as Alaska Heat Smart and Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority have increased energy efficiency and put in electric heat pumps in a number of thousands of homes around the region, which are cutting down or eliminating the need to heat oil.
These actions appear to move the needle but the majority of future decisions will be made by the Assembly.
It’s a style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Our goal is to provide them with, you know, a big overview of what’s happening within the local community. what’s worked and what the next chances are” Behnke said. “And in addition, to ask the question of what objectives .”
The report could spark a debate about setting greater ambitions for local emissions reduction goals, in order to stay on track with international and national goals. Based on the report Benke stated that his Juneau Commission on Sustainability will present new climate policy recommendations for Juneau Assembly. Juneau Assembly this summer.
The report may also help determine what priorities to consider when it comes down to federal funding. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act promise money to a range of climate-related projects. knowing where the local emissions come from could help determine which projects will make the most sense.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”I believe that we’ll make lots of progress in the next five years when we are able to solicit the grants that we need,” Koch said. “Hopefully some of this significant federal funding will help us toward a lower carbon time .”
The city is currently pursuing federal funds to build an urban compost facility as well as to increase the charging of electric vehicles and fueling infrastructure.
In the short term the inventory provides the baseline for local climate information, but with some important warnings. The COVID-19 virus likely impacted the amount of energy Juneau employed and in which areas the emission levels in schools and other structures likely were higher due to increased requirements for ventilation, while transportation emissions may have been less since many tourists and people stayed in their homes.
The new annual reports will reveal a better image in the coming years, but for the time being, Koch is cautiously optimistic.
It’s a good thing that the span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s great news that Juneau is doing great,” she said. “Reducing emissions is an important community benefit. We’re heading in the right direction.” .”
