Berkeley Climate Action Plan, Chapter 2: Berkeley’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates

http://www.berkeleyclimateaction.org/Content/10043/
Chapter2Berkeley039sGreenhoueGasEmissionsEstimates.html

In 2006 the citizens of Berkeley adopted Ballot Measure G which aims to reduce the city’s Green House Gas (GHG) emissions to 80% below year 2000 emissions levels by the year 2050. To that end, the city has developed a Climate Action Plan which targets a 33% reduction below 2000 levels by 2020. In order to evaluate where the city stands regarding this goal, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) conducted an “Emissions Inventory” for Berkeley for the year 2005.

Findings

The study revealed that transportation accounted for 47% of total emissions, commercial buildings 27% and residential buildings 26%. Community per capita emissions were approximately 7 tons of CO2e6, which was “significantly” below state and national averages. The study also found that emissions decreased nearly nine percent between 2000 and 2005, which was “one of the largest” documented reductions for any city in the U.S. This reduction primarily occurred in the residential and commercial contributions which decreased by 13.2% and and 13.8% respectively, while the transportation contribution remained almost constant (it showed a 2.7% reduction but this fell within the margin of error).

Methodology

The inventory includes all electricity and natural gas used in Berkeley, including that which is produced elsewhere. The inventory does not, however, include UC Berkeley energy consumption, given that the city has limited ability to affect university decisions. Furthermore, the transportation inventory only includes emissions from vehicles driven within the city limits, and, therefore, does not include emissions generated by, for example, residents who drive outside of the city limits. Moreover, the inventory does not include emissions from solid waste sent to landfills given that it is too difficult to accurately measure such solid waste emissions.

Additional Notes

The chapter astutely points out that development decisions in Berkeley can have an affect on surrounding communities. For example, downtown residential development could increase Berkeley’s overall emissions by increasing the city’s population, but this would likely ultimately reduce the emissions of the greater area by placing more individuals closer to public transportation. Accordingly, policy decisions cannot be made without due regard for this greater context.

Additionally, the chapter points out that this “emissions inventory” is a much more limited measure of a community’s contribution to GHG emissions than is the notion of the community’s “carbon footprint.” While the inventory measures only emissions that result from actions taking place within the city itself, the carbon footprint of the Berkeley community would take into account “lifestyle and consumption choices” such as the energy required to travel and to produce and transport the food that is consumed in the community.

Measure G:

"Should the People of the City of Berkeley have a goal of 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and advise the Mayor to work with the community to develop a plan for Council adoption in 2007, which sets a ten year emissions reduction target and identifies actions by the City and residents to achieve both the ten year target and the ultimate goal of 80% emissions reduction?"

Note that Measure G passed with 81% of the vote. See http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Mayor/GHG/index.htm