Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
See our latest update on how we are meeting our greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
The Durham City-County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Local Action Plan (PDF) was adopted in 2007 as a joint effort of the City of Durham, Durham County, and the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO). The plan consists of an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in the county, a forecast of 2030 emissions, an evaluation of measures to reduce emissions, and an implementation plan to achieve emission targets.
Community Target:
30% by 2030
The target for community greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030. Community emissions include emissions from all residences, businesses, and industries in Durham County. It also includes all transportation emissions from vehicles traveling on roads in Durham County.
Local Government Target: 50% by 2030
The target for local government greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. Local government emissions include emissions from the operations of the City of Durham, Durham County, and Durham Public Schools.
Implementation
The Sustainability Office has worked with other departments and community organizations to reduce energy use including:
- Providing energy retrofits for 709 homes, which saves an estimated 2 million kWh of electricity per year
- Conducting major energy and water upgrades to County facilities, resulting in savings of more than 31 million kWh, 1 million therms of natural gas, and 57.5 million gallons of water per year. This translates into an estimated reduction of 27,260 metric tons of greenhouse gases.
- Conducting upgrades to water treatment plants and pumps
- Installing electric vehicle charging stations
- Installing LEDs and other lighting retrofits
- Purchasing fuel-efficient, electric, and hybrid vehicles