Five years after Santa Clara County officially set a goal and deadline for carbon neutrality by 2045, officials have considered the feasibility of making that promise achievable 15 years earlier, or by 2030.
The resolution, which originated in the Santa Clara County Office of Sustainability and Facilities and Fleet Departments, was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors earlier this month.
“It is clear that climate change is already here and that bold action is necessary in this decade,” said the supervisor Otto Lee.
?The County, as a climate leader, is prepared to take all necessary steps to achieve carbon neutrality 15 years sooner than we initially imagined. We already see what a warmer world means: wildfires, extreme storms, deadly heat waves. "Is it time to act quickly before it gets worse?" he added.
Carbon neutrality means that carbon emissions are reduced to a point where they can be matched by carbon offsets (investment in projects that reduce the use of fossil fuels, such as solar installations) and carbon sequestration (planting and preserving flora that promotes the capture of atmospheric carbon).
To get to that point, the County needs to eliminate or significantly reduce emissions in four key sectors: buildings and facilities, employee travel, vehicle fleet and solid waste.
For example, county buildings that use the most natural gas, starting with the Valley Medical Center chiller, would be electrified, in addition to purchasing biogas for existing fuel cells.
Commuting-related emissions could be reduced further by offering drivers transit subsidies and additional electric vehicle charging stations to encourage employees to move away from gasoline vehicles.
The county's own light vehicle fleet would be electrified, as well as medium-heavy duty vehicles, as markets and technology allow for electrified vehicles. Waste diversion will be improved, with more recycling and organic matter collection at all County facilities.
Ultimately, the county detailed, the goal is to reduce natural gas use by 50 percent in county buildings, reduce emissions from commuting by 74 percent and in the county fleet by 75 percent, and divert 100 percent of organic waste.
Implementing all key actions outlined in the 2030 Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality for County Operations will reduce carbon emissions from operations by 81 percent.
In turn, the carbon sequestration potential of the county's 52,000 acres of parks will be explored to offset remaining emissions and provide other community and ecosystem benefits, including flood protection, water conservation and improved air and water quality.
The actions would be implemented in a gradual approach, depending on financing, available technology and feasibility over the next eight years, authorities said.
“This is a real plan, one that has been carefully considered, and one that can actually be achieved,” said County Executive James R. Williams.
?Ultimately, implementing this plan is a moral imperative given the devastating impacts of climate change. And as a byproduct, it will save taxpayers money over time, while reducing air pollution and improving public health. Of course, we will explore all available opportunities to obtain the necessary financing to make these strategic investments a reality,” he stressed.
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