Research and Data
Background
In 2000, the city began collecting data to develop a baseline of information to understand our current conditions to determine where we can take action in mitigating climate change.
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
The 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 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.
City Government
The city government/operations GHG emissions inventory generally 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.
2021 At a Glance
Annual City Operations GHG
MT CO2e = Metric Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents
2015 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Buildings and Facilities | 15,932 | 11,941 | 13,067 | 14,634 | 11,467 |
Water Renewal | 15,103 | 12,255 | 12,769 | 16,263 | 11,405 |
Streetlights | 2,480 | 1,499 | 1,497 | 2,034 | 1,149 |
Employee Commute | 2,873 | 2,633 | 2,840 | 2,033 | 2,951 |
Solid Waste | 1,432 | 1,211 | 1,924 | 2,583 | 2,965 |
Vehicle Fleet | 4,212 | 4,600 | 4,683 | 4,095 | 4,400 |
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
Community
The community GHG emissions inventory quantifies emissions from residential, commercial and industrial energy use (electricity and natural gas), transportation (on and off-road vehicles and air travel) and waste (materials that are landfilled).
Community emissions decreased during 2021, primarily due to changes in the source of residential and commercial/industrial electricity generation.
2021 At a Glance
Annual Community GHG
MT CO2e = Metric Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents
2015 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Residential Energy | 606,615 | 574,892 | 581,509 | 642,756 | 510,380 |
Commercial/Industrial Energy | 736,060 | 669,806 | 698,492 | 768,961 | 620,229 |
Transportation and Mobile Sources | 1,006,527 | 1,190,045 | 1,169,037 | 812,977 | 1,008,594 |
Solid Waste | 61,576 | 44,936 | 66,331 | 47,486 | 58,588 |
Water Renewal | 14,424 | 11,800 | 12,302 | 12,967 | 11,052 |
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
Boise Climate Adaptation Assessment
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.
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