Syracuse, already known for its success in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy costs, has shattered goals set forth in its 2012 Sustainability Plan.
It began tracking Greenhouse Gas emissions in 2002 as concerns over its impact on climate change heightened. After taking inventory of the situation in 2007, then 2010, Syracuse developed its 2012 Sustainability Plan, the baseline for its Comprehensive Plan aiming for zero-carbon emissions by 2040.
Initially, “the goal for municipal operations was a 40-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,” City Mayor Ben Walsh pointed out. “The result was 67-percent.”
The community members were tasked with reducing emissions by about seven percent. “Which is something we have less control over,” Walsh reminded, “we ended up at 29 [percent reduction].”
“The Syracuse community should be proud of these results and the collective work that went into achieving these unprecedented measures,” Walsh said.
Referring to numbers in the updated GHGI report, Walsh said the results spoke for themselves.
A large part of the initial energy reduction he credited to converting 18,000 streetlights -- including traffic lights -- to LED bulbs. Another decision he credited was switching city vehicles to fuel-efficient models and purchasing technology to optimize garbage truck and snowplow routes. One idea, that he said was met with skepticism, was planting $2-million worth of trees.
“This is one of the most significant reasons,” he said the GHGI plan is succeeding, “because it does help reduce our carbon emissions, not to mention improves quality of life and offers so many other benefits.”
Walsh said the city is setting an example for sustainability and encourages businesses and residents to plant their own trees.
