A “Greenhouse Gas Inventory” for Bainbridge Island – What and Why? Bainbridge Island Climate Change Advisory Committee April 21, 2018

The Big Picture The accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere from human activities is resulting in global climate change Maintaining a “safe” climate will require keeping global average temperature from increasing more than 2°C (relative to pre-industrial times) To do this, we need to greatly reduce emissions from fossil fuel combustion and land use change…

The Paris Agreement In Paris, countries committed to keep global warming “well under” 2°C The United States agreed to reduce is own national emissions 26-28% below 2005 levels, by 2025…

The Challenge Today we are about halfway to 28% Going the rest of the way (and beyond) will require additional efforts by states and communities across the country

What is a GHG Inventory? A snapshot of greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities within a community … a.k.a. the community’s “carbon footprint”

Don’t We Know It Already? Yes… Source: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, June 2017

Don’t We Know It Already? …and No For Bainbridge Island, we don’t know how our footprint compares with the rest of the county, including the relative contributions of things like… Electricity use in residential vs. commercial buildings Industrial emissions Cars and transportation (including buses and ferries!) City operations Agriculture and forest land Waste disposal

Consumption-Related Emissions An island-specific inventory could also provide insight into “indirect” emissions from consuming goods & services… Source: Portland, Oregon 2015 Climate Action Plan

Why Do an Inventory? Measure emissions, so they can be managed… Set reduction targets Inform city policies Educate citizens Track progress over time

What’s Next: 2018 CCAC Workplan Complete GHG Inventory Continue with Tasks Assigned to the Committee Advise on greenhouse gas reduction targets Advise on climate action planning and implementation Assist with participation in regional climate change efforts Evaluate incorporating Climate Change into City Actions Climate Assessment Certification Shoreline Master Plan Sub-Area Plans Green Building Standards Critical Areas Ordinance Police Department Building Outreach and Education Increase collaboration with other City Committees Hold community forums (like this one!)