Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

Overarching Goals Goal 1: Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cities play an important role in reducing greenhouse gases. More than 80% of Americans and 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas. Therefore, the design of cities, including their built environment and transportation systems, strongly influence GHG emissions. Ashland recognizes that it must minimize its negative impact on the global environment. While urgent action is needed, many climate actions cannot be completed overnight, so a long-term approach is needed to achieve deep reductions. The Climate and Energy Action Plan presents the following long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with city and community activities: For the community: •Reduce overall Ashland community greenhouse gas emissions by 8% per year, on average. For City of Ashland operations: •Reach carbon neutrality by 2030. •Reduce fossil fuel consumption by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The 8% annual target represents emissions reductions necessary to prevent the worst climate change impacts (see the Methodology appendix for more information). Specifically, it identifies how much the world on average would need to cut emissions each year to result in a concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere under 350 parts per million. To further underscore the importance of setting and reaching this target, this plan recommends that the community and city targets and related goals be adopted by ordinance. This action indicates to the community the highest level of commitment by the City Council to take meaningful action.This Climate and Energy Action Plan provides a strategic path toward achieving two primary goals: GOAL 1: Reduce Ashland’s contribution to climate change by reducing community greenhouse gas emissions. GOAL 2: Prepare the city’s communities, systems, and resources to be more resilient to climate change impacts. 30 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANCLIMATE CHANGE & ASHLAND30