Austin plans to go ‘carbon neutral’

The climate protection plan of Austin (U.S.A.) is plans to make Austin the leading city in the U.S.A. on climate action.

The broad elements of the plan include:

1. Municipal Plan. Making all city facilities, fleets and operations totally carbon neutral by 2020.
2. Utility Plan. Implementing the most aggressive utility greenhouse gas (ghg) reduction plan in the country through dramatic increases in conservation, efficiency and renewable programs; requirements for carbon neutrality on any new generation; and by early retirement of existing utility ghg emissions.
3. Homes and Building Plan. Making Austin building codes for both residential and commercial properties the most energy efficient in the country.
4. Community Plan. Developing a comprehensive plan for reducing ghg emissions for sources community-wide.
5. “Go Neutral” Plan. Providing mechanisms for all businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint to zero.

Austin is an active participant in ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection Program, working with over 700 local governments around the world on reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level. For more information on this effective program, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Austin is one of 67 local governments in the U.S.A. that are 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: Austin Climate Protect Plan.

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