Item A: Sustainability Commission Recommendations

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in trips made by residents and businesses within Eugene is also included. The inventory does not include the energy embedded in consumer goods and food imported into Eugene from outside the metro area or in the transportation of goods into Eugene. The impacts of through travel on I-5 are also not included. Key Findings The inventory shows the source of local greenhouse gas emissions in terms of both economic sectors (residential, commercial, industrial and transportation activities) and fuel sources for 1990, 2005 and 2020. Currently, the transportation sector contributes one-half of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions. Transport is expected to account for one-half of the Eugene area emissions in the future, even with the projected benefits of nodal development and the extension of LTD’s EMX system. The residential and commercial sectors each contribute about 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions, and the industrial sector is responsible for the remaining 10% of emissions. Natural gas used in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from natural gas are likely to increase from about 30% of total emissions in 1990 to 40% of emissions in 2020. By 2020, natural gas and transportation fuels are projected to account for about 90% of Eugene’s total community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Electrical generation accounts for only 11% of Eugene’s total greenhouse gas emissions, reflecting EWEB’s reliance on hydroelectric power and renewable energy sources. Statewide, electrical generation accounts for 42% of Oregon’s total greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Partly due to EWEB’s “clean” energy, Eugene’s per capita emissions are relatively low, at 8.6 metric tonnes in 2005, compared to a statewide average of 16.6 metric tonnes in 2000. While the level of per capita emissions in Eugene is projected to grow moderately from 8.1 metric tonnes in the baseline year 1990 to 8.8 metric tonnes in 2020, the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions community wide will have increased by two-thirds. This increase is due primarily to the growth in Eugene’s population. This is significant, in that emissions reductions goals are usually expressed in terms of reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions, rather than per capita emission levels. This magnifies the impact of reduction strategies when they are converted to per capita emissions measures. For example, reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions just to 1990 levels by the year 2020 would require a 40% reduction in per capita emissions, from a projected level of 8.8 metric tonnes, down to 5.2 metric tonnes per capita. Next Steps Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have the potential to impact a broad range of personal choices and economic decisions, and deserve significant public involvement. It is vital to have in-depth discussions with community members as well as partner with local agencies in order to discuss options and develop strategies to reduce greenhouse emissions. Once the Sustainability Commission is formed, this inventory will be presented to the group as the starting point in discussions on the need to develop a comprehensive community climate action plan for Eugene. For more information on the Eugene community-wide greenhouse gas inventory, contact Glen Svendsen, Facility Division Manager, at 682-5008 or by email to glen.l.svendsen@ci.eugene.or.us For information on the City’s overall sustainability program, contact Felicity Fahy, Sustainability Manager, at 682-5017 or by email to: felicity.m.fahy@ci.eugene.or.us Page 2 of 2