RES 221271 - Laserfiche WebLink

City of Pleasanton GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Targets Methodology and Calculations 52 5 GHG Emissions Reduction Targets 5.1 Provisional GHG Emissions Targets – 2030, 2045, 2050 California currently has established goals for reducing GHG emissions by 40 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32), achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 (EO B-55-18), and the previous executive order (S-03-05) that called for an 80 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050 . It is recommended that Pleasanton establish GHG emissions targets for the years 2025 (interim target), 2030 (SB 32 target year), 2040 (interim target), and 2045 (EO B-55-18 target year) - or if desired 2050 (EO S-3-05 target year) - to show compliance with these multiple-year State goals. The City of Pleasanton has the ability to set GHG emissions reduction targets that suit its needs. However, to be considered a “Qualified GHG Reduction Plan” that can be used for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) GHG emissions analyses streamlining purposes pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.8, the City should adopt a GHG emissions target that is at least as stringent as the State targets described above. Specifically, the City should target emission reductions of at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and adopt a longer-term target of carbon neutrality by 2045 consistent with EO B-55-18 or 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 consistent with S-03-05. Currently both EOs remain in place; however, it appears that EO B-55-18 will likely be codified. The carbon neutrality target has been adopted by many other California cities in their CAP updates, and some jurisdictions, such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Management District, have adopted carbon neutrality as a CEQA GHG emissions significance threshold.62 The following discussion outlines the minimum GHG reduction targets required for CEQA GHG emissions analyses streamlining. However, Pleasanton can choose to adopt other GHG emissions reduction pathways that exceed these reductions and still maintain status as a Qualified GHG Reduction Plan under CEQA. Any target pathway that reduces less emissions by 2030 would not be considered consistent with the State goals. While more aggressive targets will initially require additional effort, a more stringent short-term goal (2030) may make it easier to reach longer-term goals like carbon neutrality. There are several different methodologies for calculating these minimum GHG emissions reductions. The City could choose to adopt mass emission, per capita, or per service person targets. The Pleasanton 2012 CAP includes only mass emissions targets. Mass emission targets describe emissions in terms of total MT CO2e without any adjustment for population growth. The most recent State Climate Change Scoping Plan (2017) includes guidance that details the methodology and benefits of developing per capita and per service person targets. Generally, per capita targets are suggested unless circumstances such as a skewed jobs-to-residents ratio is identified. The key benefit of a per capita target is that it corrects for population growth. This means that the target does not become more difficult to reach if the City grows faster than projected. Per capita emissions targets are developed by dividing the emissions in each target year by the forecasted population. Emission targets in both mass emissions and per capita emissions are discussed below. 62 Sacramento Metropolitan Air Management District. 2020. Guide to Air Quality Assessment in Sacramento County. Available: <http://www.airquality.org/businesses/ceqa-land-use-planning/ceqa-guidance-tools>. Accessed: May 31, 2020.