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For the second year in a row, Mountain View has been recognized for its sustainability efforts and received a top score from the Carbon Disclosure Project, a global nonprofit that monitors environmental impacts.
Last year, nearly 1,000 cities participated in a program offered by the Carbon Disclosure Project that helps cities and other entities measure and manage risks on issues related to climate change, water security and deforestation.
The city received an “A” grade, demonstrating that it was conducting climate risk and vulnerability assessments, as well as adopting plans for mitigation and making progress towards achieving its stated targets, according to a city press release.
“We are working collaboratively with our residents and businesses to develop policies and implement programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change, and protect the community from sea level rise,” Mayor Ellen Kamei said in the release.
The accolades came just as Mountain View published its annual Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, a report that lays out the city’s progress towards becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2045.
The city is making strides in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, according to the report, which compares 2023 emission levels to a four-year rolling average prior to the pandemic.
“The city is on a path toward decarbonization with 2023 emissions, 32% below the rolling average baseline,” the report said.
The report shows that the city’s biggest drops in greenhouse gas emissions is from on-road transportation (44%), building electricity (48%) and its water sector, which includes wastewater treatment (229%). The report describes some of the reasons for the reductions in each sector, attributing it to state policies and city actions.
While vehicle emissions have declined, the report notes that gas-fueled passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks continue to generate most of the city’s emissions, approximately 58%. The report attributes the drop in vehicle emissions to higher fuel efficiency standards, higher gas prices and the adoption of more electric vehicles, bikes and scooters.
The use of natural gas in buildings comprises 22% of the city’s emissions, according to the report. The city’s conversion to Silicon Valley Clean Energy in 2017 has offset some of these emissions, along with a strategy to reduce natural gas by encouraging electric hook ups for space and water heating in commercial and residential buildings, the report said.
The city also is continuing to explore ways to promote electrification outside of the use of building reach codes, which were partially rolled back because of a federal ruling, the report said.
The report shows that the water sector had the biggest reduction in emissions, which includes the energy used to treat wastewater at the Palo Alto Regional Water Control Plant. In 2019, the incinerators at the plant were decommissioned, significantly decreasing the use of natural gas, the report said.
The 2023 Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory report was unanimously approved by the City Council at their June 10 meeting.
“I want to thank the sustainability staff for this progress,” Council member Pat Showalter said at the meeting. “The inventory of our greenhouse gas use, we do that annually now, and it provides a tremendous amount of data for us to know, ‘Are we on track?’ And it is very valuable to do that,” she added.
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