The City of Carlsbad is continuing to make progress on its sustainability goals to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the community’s goal of promoting a sustainable environment. Environmental sustainability is one of the top priorities in the City Council’s 5-year Strategic Plan.
On Tuesday, city staff shared an annual report on Carlsbad’s Climate Action Plan, which outlines strategies and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since the plan was adopted in 2015, the city has implemented new environmental programs, updated city laws and taken other steps to surpass the plan’s 2020 target, which was to reduce greenhouse gases 4% below 2012 levels.
The city is now working toward the next target: to reduce greenhouse gases to 52% under the 2012 levels.
Climate Action Plan accomplishments in 2022
In 2022, the city took several actions to advance sustainability under the Climate Action Plan:
Promoted cost-effective energy improvement programs, including the launch of the Home Energy Score Assessment pilot program, which provides energy assessments for Carlsbad residents. Twenty-one households participated in the program last year.
Conducted energy-efficiency retrofits of city facilities
Certified more businesses through the Carlsbad Green Business Program, which encourages businesses to conserve energy, water and other resources. Eight more businesses were certified in 2022, bringing the total to 14.
Continued implementing city ordinances related to energy efficiency, installation of solar energy panels, wiring for electric vehicle charging, and alternative water heating in new construction and major renovations
Installed electric vehicle charging stations at city facilities
Purchased plug-in hybrid and electric fleet vehicles
Updating the Climate Action Plan
City staff are in the process of updating the Climate Action Plan to keep it aligned with new statewide targets and advance the community’s goal of promoting a sustainable environment. City staff plan to present measures that could be included in the draft plan to the community and to the City Council this summer for additional input. To be notified, sign up for environmental sustainability updates.
The final version of the update should be presented to the City Council for consideration in 2024.
