Emission Inventories and Climate Leadership in National Parks Shawn Norton, US National Park Service Karen Scott, Environmental Protection Agency

Overview Why perform an emission inventory ? What are CAPs and GHG’s’? How are CAPs and GHG’s Related ? GHG and CAP emission inventories in Parks. Climate Leadership in Parks Tool. Next Steps

Resources at Risk We are facing unprecedented changes in the near future. In the NPS, the famed glaciers of Glacier NP will be gone in our lifetimes. The loss of up to 25% of the coral reefs in Biscayne Bay over the same time period. Migratory bird patterns and timing will change significantly. How will the NPS respond to this challenge.

Types of Emissions Greenhouse gases (GHGs) –Climate change –Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), High GWP gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF 6 ) –Carbon equivalents Criteria air pollutants (CAPs) –Pollution –Carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), oxides of nitrogen (NO x ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM)

CAP/ GHG Emission Sources Energy –Stationary sources, mobile sources, purchased electricity, petroleum and natural gas activities Waste –Landfilled solid waste, wastewater treatment Landuse –Fertilizer application, forest burning and carbon flux Product use –Refrigeration and air-conditioning

Impacts of CAPs Nitrogen oxides –React with volatile organic compounds to form ozone (smog), a respiratory irritant –Contribute to acid deposition (acid rain and nutrient overload) –Significant player in visibility reduction, primarily (through formation of ammonium nitrate) Sulfur oxides –Cause respiratory illness –Primary actor in acid deposition –Primary cause of visibility reduction in eastern U.S. (through formation of ammonium sulfate) Ozone –Triggers a variety of respiratory health problems –Injures plants and ecosystems

Why perform a GHG emission inventory? Implementing Executive Orders: – Energy Management – Fleet and Transportation – Environmental Management – Waste Prevention and Recycling Climate Change Science Program, Energy Policy Act: –18% reduction of greenhouse gas intensity –Identify key GHG emission sources –Establish baseline and measure trends –Inform emission mitigation actions –Understand emissions to educate the public

The Co-Benefits Concept Take ONE action, receive TWO benefits: both CAPs and GHGs are reduced simultaneously Plus, the impacts associated with each form of emissions are reduced

Climate Friendly Park (CFP) Emission Inventories

CAP-Reducing Measures with GHG Co-Benefits Replace boilers/ generators/heaters with less polluting versions Reduce vehicle idling Use alternative-fuel vehicles Carpool Reduce waste generation Encourage use of public transportation

Example: Institute a Visitor Shuttle In Everglades, visitor vehicles were responsible for 8.9 million vehicle miles traveled Implementing a diesel-hybrid visitor shuttle would reduce visitor vehicle travel by 20%, emissions would be reduced by approximately: –23,000 lbs VOC (17% of park emissions) –88,100 lbs CO (1% of park emissions) –(3,900) lbs NOx (1% of park emissions) –100 MTCE of GHGs (1% of park emissions)

Example: Install Photovoltaic Panels Everglades National Park uses 2.5 million kWh of electricity each year If 25 percent came from solar panels, the park would save: –80.75 MTCE (1% of park total) –62 lbs VOC (1% of park emissions) –25 lbs PM 10 (0.1% of park emissions) –87 lbs NOx (0.1% of park emissions)

The Climate Leadership Tool

Purpose of the CLIP Tool Enables parks to: Inventory GHG and CAP emissions Identify and assess possible mitigation actions and outreach activities Report on emissions and commit to emission reductions Provide park staff with knowledge of climate change and air pollution to inform visitors First step in iterative process to develop tools that educate public on GHG and CAP emissions

CLIP Tool Structure 3 main sections of CLIP: Section 1: Current Emissions and Activities –Establish an emissions baseline Section 2: Emissions Mitigation –Determine mitigation strategies Section 3: Action Plan –Report results and pledge reductions

Where We Have Been. So Far these parks have ghg/cap inventories and action plans... –Gateway (June, 2003) –Glacier (April, 2004) –Zion (September, 2004) –Everglades (June, 2005) –Glacier Bay (October, 2005) –Delaware Water Gap (November, 2005) –Yosemite (April, 2006)

What We Have Learned. Most parks are net carbon sinks. There are many variables (fire management, urban vs. remote setting). Key emissions reduction strategies involve reducing visitor vehicle miles driven and the use of renewables. Strategies to reduce GHGs have the co-benefit of reducing CAPs (NOx, SOx). Climate friendly actions compliment EMS and other park sustainability planning. Parks need the ability to measure their GHG contribution... Visitor education remains the key.

Next Steps More emissions inventories Climate Friendly Initiatives Toolkit Implement targeted mitigation actions Monitor progress Reduce emissions