As part of the 2025 CARP update, Alameda completed a community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory for 2022(PDF, 513KB) (the latest year data was available). This inventory provides an overview of Alameda’s current emissions and helps guide future greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration policy.
Key Findings
- 2022 GHG emissions decreased 29% compared to baseline year 2005 despite population and job increases.
- Energy emissions decreased 40% compared to baseline year 2005.
- Transportation emissions decreased 25% compared to baseline year 2005.
- Although emissions have declined, the proportion of emissions by sector has remained fairly constant.
- Emissions will continue to decrease as a result of State policies, but not enough to meet CARP targets without local measures. Consumption-based emissions totaled approximately 1.1 million MTCO2e in 2015.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Target
Alameda has set a goal to reduce emissions by 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2045, in line with the State of California.
2022 Communitywide Emissions Inventory Summary
- The total 2022 GHG emissions are estimated to be 267,559 MTCO2e.
- This is a 35% and 29% decrease from the 2015 and 2005 inventories.
- On-road transportation accounted for the largest amount of GHG emissions with estimated emissions of 145,995 MTCO2e, or 54% of total emissions.
- The second largest sector was building energy use with estimated emissions of 85,390 MTCO2e, or 31% of total emissions.
- The remaining 14% of emissions are made up by solid waste, off-road transportation, and water and wastewater.
Future Forecasts
Alameda has achieved a 29% GHG reduction from 2005 to 2022. Under an Adjusted Business as Usual (ABAU) forecast, emissions are expected to decrease an additional 10% from 2022 to 2030. An additional 10% reduction is needed from local actions through 2030 to meet the CARP goals.
The Adjusted Business as Usual (ABAU) forecast shows how Alameda’s emissions are anticipated to change accounting for impacts four major policies that the State has adopted to reduce GHG emissions at the local level:
- Transportation: Major regulations incorporated into the CARB’s 2021 transportation modeling used for forecast development include the Advanced Clean Truck Rule, SAFE Vehicle Rules and Actions, and Innovative Clean Transit Rule.
- Title 24: The California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 6: California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings is updated triennially to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy-efficient technologies and methods. The AB 32 Scoping Plan calls for the continuation of ongoing triennial updates to Title 24 that will yield regular increases in the mandatory energy and water savings for new construction.
- Renewable Portfolio Standard (SB 100): AMP already provides 100% carbon-free energy, so electricity is assumed to be carbon free from 2020 onward.
- SB 1383 Regulations: This law requires organic waste disposal to be reduced by 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025 in California. To achieve these targets, starting in 2022 jurisdictions must provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses and recycle the materials.
