Hayward on-track to reach 2020 emissions reduction goal
According to Hayward’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for 2017, which was completed just last month, Hayward achieved a 14.6 percent reduction in overall GHG emissions compared to 2005 levels. The impressive reduction, coupled with the launch of East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), which has been providing the Hayward community with 100 percent carbon-free electricity since late 2018, indicates that the City is on track to achieve its goal of 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.
Hayward’s emissions reduction is particularly impressive considering that Hayward has grown by an estimated 20,000 residents since 2005. Total per capita emissions are estimated to have decreased by 23.1 percent.
The key factors responsible for Hayward’s emission reduction include the fact that the electric grid is increasingly being powered by renewable sources like solar and wind, as well as an increase in automobile fuel efficiency standards.
The Hayward City Council is currently considering setting a new goal to reduce community-wide emissions by 55 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. To reach this ambitious goal, City operations and the Hayward community will need to continue to cut their carbon footprint by reducing their reliance on high emitters like natural gas appliances, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
Table 1 below shows Hayward's breakdown of emission reductions in various categories since 2005. Review the full staff report and breakdown of all of Hayward’s GHG emissions by sector here.
