DATE: June 12, 2009
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Board of County Commissioners
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org
A recently released environmental report finds that Broward County government exceeded its annual reduction goal of greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions -- carbon footprint -- in 2008 with an estimated reduction of 10,184 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalence (eCO2). This exceeds the target of 6,389 tonnes per year established by the Broward County Climate Change Government Operations Workgroup.
In its 2009 Annual Progress Report, various actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions taken throughout the previous year were highlighted, including:
• Creation of the Broward County Climate Change Task Force chaired by Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs. The Task Force will recommend a countywide Climate Change Program to mitigate the causes of, and adapt to, the consequences of climate change.
• Established membership with Cool Counties, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and Climate Communities.
• Adopted policy in support of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design LEED® construction standards for all county facilities.
• Expanded use of new hybrid electric transit buses and alternative fuels in the County's fleet, including biodiesel, compressed natural gas and hybrid electric vehicles.
• Developed partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the WasteWise Program to reduce waste and promote recycling.
"We're making progress and exceeded our goals in the first year, which is very promising," said Broward County Mayor Stacy Ritter, who named the "greening" of Broward County Government as a prioritized goal when she was selected as mayor. "Continued monitoring of government operations will keep us on the right track and guide us as we work to achieve significant reductions by 2015."
The County's goal is to reduce government operations GHG emissions by 7 percent below the 1997 baseline. The target date to achieve that goal is 2015. In order to accomplish that target, the County must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,389 tonnes per year.
"Climate Change initiatives and efforts to reduce GHG have to be implemented, maintained and monitored at the local level in order to have any real impact," said Commissioner Jacobs, who recently met with key climate and energy leaders from President Barack Obama's administration and joined more than 100 local leaders from across the country as part of the Climate Change Communities Local Climate Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Broward County Climate Change Government Operations Workgroup includes representatives from many County agencies that are organized into committees in the areas of buildings/infrastructure, waste, transportation, natural systems and policies. The Workgroup Steering Committee meets monthly to identify potential emission reduction actions and propose implementation of selected actions.
The Workgroup works very closely with International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, the Budget Office, the Broward County Climate Change Task Force, and other local organizations to identify funding opportunities for the implementation of GHG reduction projects.
For questions about the 2009 Progress Report or more information about climate change programs call the Pollution Prevention, Remediation and Air Quality Division at 954-519-1220 or visit www.broward.org/climatechange.
See the complete report, attached below.
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