Climate Action Progress

The City of Boise began collecting climate data in 2000, creating a baseline of information to help us understand current conditions and where we can take action on climate change.

Greenhouse Gas Inventories

Use of fossil fuels - including coal, natural gas and petroleum - to power our buildings and transportation systems is responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, Idaho and Boise.

The City of Boise collects greenhouse gas (GHG) data to track the sources and quantities of emissions from both city government operations and the community. Totals are shown in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MT CO2e), which is a standard unit for measuring greenhouse gases. Boise and other cities use approved inventory and data collection methods to develop greenhouse gas emissions inventories.

The city government operations GHG emissions inventory quantifies emissions from energy usage at city buildings, facilities and streetlights, fleet vehicles, employee commute, and waste from city facilities that are landfilled. Emissions from city facilities decreased in 2021, primarily due to changes to the sources of electricity generation.

2023 At a Glance

Annual City Operations GHG

^{MT CO2e = Metric Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents}

_{Buildings and Facilities−heating, cooling and powering city-owned buildings and facilities
Water Renewal−heating, cooling and powering water renewal (wastewater treatment) facilities, as well as emissions created from water renewal by-products
Employee Commute−employee transportation to and from work
Vehicle Fleet−city owned vehicles
Street Lights−powering street lights
Solid Waste−trash disposal from city-owned facilities}

The community GHG emissions inventory quantifies emissions from residential, commercial and industrial energy use (electricity and natural gas), transportation (on and off-road vehicles plus air travel) and solid waste (materials that are landfilled).

2023 At a Glance

Annual Community GHG

^{MT CO2e = Metric Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents}

_{Residential Energy−heating, cooling and powering homes
Commercial/Industrial Energy−heating, cooling and powering businesses and industry
Water Renewal−heating, cooling and powering water renewal (wastewater treatment) facilities, as well as emissions created from water renewal by products
Transportation−vehicles, air travel, and off-road equipment
Solid Waste−trash disposal and compost}

A 2016 Climate Adaptation Assessment led by the University of Idaho and conducted specifically for the City of Boise to measure climate impacts in the Treasure Valley outlined eight impacts for our region. From increased drought frequency, poor air quality from large fires, and heat stress days, the City of Boise and the Treasure Valley will face significant climate challenges.

Boise Climate Adaptation Assessment