ASU report: City of Phoenix reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 7.2 percent

The City of Phoenix is proving that it’s serious about going green, according to a recent greenhouse gas emissions report compiled by Arizona State University.

In 2008 the city council adopted a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from city operations to five percent below the 2005 levels by 2015. The city met and exceeded that objective within four years.

The latest report was compiled by Arizona State University’s Sustainability Solution Services, a program within the Global Institute of Sustainability’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives, and states that in 2012, the city achieved a 7.2 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by emitting 629,504 metric tons of carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide equivalents. When compared to the 2005 total emission of 678,150 metric tons, Phoenix is not only ahead of schedule in reaching its goal, but has gone 2.2 percent beyond its commitment.

“This is great for Phoenix, and I’m very excited to see that we may be able to double or even triple the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2015,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “We are making Phoenix a cleaner and healthier place to live and work.”

With support and guidance from the mayor and city council members, the city was able to reduce greenhouse emissions through the use of sustainable infrastructures and programs, including advanced methane capture systems at city-owned landfills; biodiesel and ethanol alternative fuels; energy-efficient streetlights, traffic signals, water and wastewater upgrades; energy efficiency measures in more than 45 city buildings; and various city solar power projects.

“The fact that we have exceeded this aggressive goal years ahead of schedule is a testament to the city’s commitment to transforming Phoenix into one of the most sustainable cities in the nation,” said Vice Mayor Bill Gates, chairman of the Finance, Efficiency, and Economy Subcommittee. “This is just one piece of our overall sustainability plan, and I look forward to continuing our track record for success.”

ASU helped assess and verify the results of the greenhouse gas emissions report by comparing the city’s emissions in 2005 and 2012, and evaluating the progress made toward the Climate Action Plan. Huge improvements and changes were made by Phoenix since 2005, particularly in fleet services, where more than 50 percent of city vehicles, including trucks, are now operating on alternative/clean fuel, and through various solar projects.

“By already reaching its 2015 target for emissions reduction, the City of Phoenix has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rajesh Buch, practice lead for the Sustainability Solutions Services at ASU. “Continuing these practices and adopting the recommended actions should not only double emissions reductions by 2015, but also create a more resilient metropolitan region.”

The findings of the 2012 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Report was released by the mayor, Dec. 3, at the third annual Go Green Conference hosted by the city of Phoenix and ASU’s Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives.