Results of greenhouse gas emissions measurement in Nashua

The city of Nashua (New Hampshire, U.S.A.) used ICLEI’s emissions analysis software (now called HEAT) to determine the source of their greenhouse gas emissions.

The software identified that the majority of their energy costs, 68 percent, came from the city’s buildings.  In total, municipal activities – from wastewater treatment to keeping lights on at City Hall – accounted for more than 20,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

With these figures, City officials were then able to target their reduction strategies, some of which are mentioned below.

• After it was determined that the building used for truck storage used inefficient lights that were left on 24 hours a day, efficient lights that turn off when noone was in the building were implemented.
• Traffic lights have been converted to energy-efficient LED’s, cutting electricity by 70 percent.
• New windows in the clerks office reduced energy by 30 percent.
• A revolving fund has been established to provide monies for department heads to utilize for green projects.

More and more cities are facing the need to mitigate climate change while already adapting to the changes brought about by climate change.  ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection^® (CCP) Campaign is an innovative international campaign that helps local government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment.   And now, the CCP Campaign is launching the Adaptation Initiative, building capacity for climate change impacts at the local level.  For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Nashua is one of 185 local governments in the U.S.A. that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the U.S.A., please visit www.iclei.org/usa.

Source:  “Nashua Commits to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions”, New Hampshire Public Radio, 30 May 2007.