San Diego Halfway To 2035 Emissions-Lowering Goal, Climate Report Says

San Diego CA

29 December, 2020

8:32 PM

Description

By Ken Stone, the Times of San Diego December 28, 2020 San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria Monday released the city's 2020 Climate Action Plan report, which says the city has reduced 25% of its greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2010 baseline, halfway to its goal of halving emissions by 2035. "San Diego has taken significant steps toward meeting our Climate Action Plan goals with the implementation of San Diego Community Power and adoption of policies like Complete Communities, but we know we can and must do more," Gloria said. "This year, we've seen how drastic shifts to the status quo are possible. We're going to continue to create a cleaner, greener city for future generations and ensure that efficiency and equity are front and center." Key findings and statistics in the report include: "This annual report shows how we, as a city, are working to advance climate action in a way that gives our historically marginalized communities a seat at the table while also creating opportunities for good jobs and innovation," said Erik Caldwell, the city's chief sustainability officer and sustainability director. "Looking ahead, we're updating the 2015 Climate Action Plan to create a path forward focused on equity and environmental justice to align with state goals for zero carbon by 2045 and to incorporate the additional benefits of climate action." San Diego is one of the largest U.S. cities to adopt a Climate Action Plan setting goals for 100% renewable energy citywide and zero waste. Alongside community partners, the city has also developed the Climate Equity Index to better understand access to opportunity in San Diego's Communities of Concern. As part of the city's plans to harness renewable energy sources by 2035, San Diego Community Power plans to deliver power to its first customers in 2021. "Every person in every community has the right to clean air, safe water, and a healthy neighborhood with open space," said Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera. "Unfortunately, our climate is rapidly deteriorating — the result of decades of decisions that allowed for unchecked industrial activity and disastrous land-use and environmental policies. "The Climate Action Plan is the city of San Diego's workplan for fighting environmental degradation and protecting the communities most impaired by its effects," he said. "Although we have made significant improvements as a city this past year, there is clearly more work to be done, especially for communities of color." — City News Service Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.