 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 TEL: (510) 981-7100, FAX: (510) 981-7199, TDD: (510) 981-6903 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Email: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us |
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Press
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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City’s
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Surpasses Kyoto Protocol Requirements
City’s
efforts to be a model environmental city show dramatic results.
Analysis done in preparation for joining the Chicago Climate
Exchange show Berkeley reduced carbon emissions by 14 % since 2002. Berkeley,
CA – Berkeley Mayor Tom
Bates and environmental leaders announced the City of Berkeley has reduced
its carbon emissions by 14% since 2002 – more than double the reductions
called for in the Kyoto Protocol. By
comparison, the Kyoto Protocol calls for a 7% reduction in emissions from
1990 levels by 2010. The
emissions analysis – which examined virtually all aspects of city
operations, including vehicle fuels, electricity, and natural gas – was
conducted as part of the City’s application to join the Chicago Climate
Exchange. In total, the City reduced its carbon emissions by 2,066
metric tons, the equivalent of planting 52,000 trees or removing 450 cars
from the road. The
City reduced emissions from vehicles by 47% and from natural gas by 16%. However, the City had a 5% increase in electricity-related
emissions, mostly due to the opening of the expanded central library and
its acquisition of the building at 1947 Center Street, which includes a
tenant with a large computer center.
“Berkeley’s
groundbreaking efforts to be a model environmental city are beginning to
show dramatic results. Not
only did we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, but we did it without
breaking the bank,” said Mayor Tom Bates.
“With the outrageous failure of our federal government to take
action, it is essential for cities to step up to the plate and show real
leadership in the fight against global warming.” “Berkeley
has achieved significant reductions in its emissions of greenhouse gases
because it has chosen to act on its concerns about global warming. Not
only is the City taking responsibility for its contribution to this
problem, it is also reducing its operating costs and improving the quality
of the air we all share” said Tom Kelly of KyotoUSA, a volunteer
organization that urges cities and their residents to work together to
address global warming. “Cities across America should be encouraged by
Berkeley’s success and feel confident that they, too, can make a
difference.” The
emission reductions are the result of a wide variety of initiatives
throughout city operations. The
reductions in vehicle fuels were primarily the result of the City’s
pioneering use of biodiesel fuel in its fleet and the expanded use of
electric and natural gas powered vehicles.
Major energy efficiency retrofits of city buildings accounted for
another major portion of the emissions reductions. Berkeley has taken a strong and
vocal stand in support of the Kyoto Protocol and other efforts to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. As
part of that effort, the City is considering joining the Chicago Climate
Exchange (CCX), a market-based emission reduction system.
This is the method that many countries have chosen to implement
their reductions under the Kyoto Protocol.
The City Council will be voting to officially join the CCX at its
meeting on Tuesday, September 13. Following
that vote, the CCX will conduct an additional independent audit and
certification of the City’s emissions prior to formal membership. # # # Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
*Baseline is the average annual emissions from the years 1998 –
2001.
** Reductions through 2004, compared to
the baseline year.
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