Thursday 23 April 2020

‘Houston, we don’t have a problem’ as city pledges to go carbon-neutral by 2050

‘Houston, we don’t have a problem’ as city pledges to go carbon-neutral by 2050

Houston has pledged to lead the energy transition and become carbon-neutral by 2050.

The "Houston Climate Action Plan" is focused on reducing emissions in four areas which generate most of the region's greenhouse gas emissions - transportation, energy transition, building optimisation and materials management.

The city, which today powers 92% of its municipal facilities with renewable energy, will prioritise the conversion of its light-duty municipal fleet to 100% electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, the production of five million MWh of solar power by 2050, the halving of residential waste by 2040 and further decreasing building energy use.

Since 2005, Houston has reduced local emissions by 37%, through building efficiency upgrades, investing in renewable energy and converting to hybrid, electric and alternate fuel vehicles.

Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, said: "I am proud to introduce the city of Houston's first Climate Action Plan. These are difficult and challenging times, but this is a historic moment for the City of Houston.

“While we are currently forced to change the way we physically do business, our work must go on. We must deal with the challenges facing us today and prepare for those facing us tomorrow. No other city is better suited to tackle climate change than Houston. We are more committed than ever to building a more sustainable and resilient Houston."

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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