C. What are GHG emissions, and why is Washoe County measuring them?
What are GHG Emissions?
Naturally occurring gases dispersed in the atmosphere determine the Earth’s climate by trapping solar radiation. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect.
This greenhouse effect causes global average surface and lower atmospheric temperatures to rise, threatening the safety, quality of life, and economic prosperity of global communities. Although the natural greenhouse effect is needed to keep the earth warm, a human-enhanced greenhouse effect with the rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere leads to too much heat and radiation being trapped.
Figure 2: Earth's atmosphere traps some of the sun's heat, preventing it from escaping back into space at night. Source: NASA / JPL - Caltech
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report confirms that human activities have unequivocally caused an increase in the carbon emissions that are warming our planet. The most significant contributor to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, electricity generation and other purposes. This Community-wide GHG Inventory measures the contribution of these human activities in Washoe County to the warming climate.
Why Measure Community GHG Emissions? Washoe County, like many other governments around the world, has committed to measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in its community. A Community GHG inventory estimates the quantity of GHG emissions and removals associated with community sources and activities taking place during a chosen analysis year. The inventory can then be used for many purposes, such as informing climate action planning, communicating with the public, and tracking GHGs over time.
In 2019, the State of Nevada Legislature passed Senate Bill 254, establishing GHG reduction targets, and by conducting this inventory, Washoe County is supporting State of Nevada efforts by adopting the same ambitious emission reduction targets:
• 28 percent by 2025
• 45 percent by 2030
• Net-zero by 2050
Further, Washoe County designated a goal to Reduce GHG Emissions in its April 2022 Washoe County Green Recovery Plan. Two of the strategies under this goal include: 1) Conduct a community-wide GHG inventory to monitor and report progress, and 2) Establish GHG reduction targets that align with state and federal targets.