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Press Contact:
Cisco DeVries
(510) 981-7103

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2007

Study Finds Berkeley Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions 9% between 2000 and 2005

ICLEI analysis of emissions from all electricity, natural gas, and transportation from residents and businesses in the City of Berkeley documents a 61,000-ton reduction in annual carbon emissions over five years – the equivalent of taking over 12,000 cars off the road.  Berkeley will hold a kick-off for its greenhouse gas reduction campaign on Saturday, May 19^th.

Berkeley, CA – An independent analysis of carbon emissions from residential, commercial, and transportation sources within the City of Berkeley has documented an 8.9% decrease in carbon emissions between 2000 and 2005.  This decrease is one of the largest any city has documented in the United States and puts Berkeley on track to meet its goals under the voter-adopted Measure G, which calls for an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050.

The City saw reductions in emissions across all sectors when compared to the year 2000 emissions inventory.  Commercial and residential emissions both fell by over 13%.  Both electricity and natural gas use fell by double digits.  Transportation emissions dropped a modest 2.7%.  Overall the reductions add up to 61,000 fewer tons of carbon in the atmosphere compared to 2000, or the emissions equivalent of taking more than 12,000 Ford Taurus sedans off the road.

“This report is very hopeful news.  It shows that the people of Berkeley take global warming seriously and are prepared to take meaningful action to make reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Tom Bates.  “We are finding innovative ways to save money, grow our green economy, and meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets as directed by the voters with Measure G.”

Last November, Berkeley voters issued a strong mandate for the City to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by passing Measure G with over 81% of the vote.  The Measure sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050 and directs the mayor to work with the community to prepare an emissions reduction plan with specific targets by the end of 2007 for submission to the City Council.

The City is joining with 10 community groups to host a kick-off for its Measure G Climate Action campaign on Saturday, May 19^th from 10 a.m. – Noon at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley.  Details on the event are available on the Mayor’s website: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/mayor.

The emissions study, which was conducted by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – collected and analyzed data from PG&E, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the City of Berkeley and other sources to determine emissions relating to all electricity, natural gas, and transportation in the City.   (ICLEI is the preeminent international organization that conducts emissions inventories for local governments and works with them to develop reduction plans.)

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