Greenhouse Gas Inventory presented to Council Committee
Rural Fayette County farmland. Source: Flickr
In June 18th’s Environmental Quality and Public Works (EQPW) Committee, Anne Terry from TetraTech presented an overview of Lexington’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, which reports on greenhouses gas emissions as a community.
In 2021, Lexington emitted 18.1 metric tonnes of CO2e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalents) per Lexington resident. Nationwide, that number is 19.1 metric tonnes per person, and statewide it is 30.8.
69.6% of 2021 emissions in Lexington came from “Stationary Energy,” a category that mostly includes energy uses from buildings such as homes, apartments, offices, businesses, and industrial warehouses. Transportation made up 23.1% of emissions — within the transportation category, 94% of transportation emissions came from cars and trucks.
LFUCG emitted roughly 88,000 metric tonnes of CO2e in 2021, with 81% coming from stationary energy and 19% coming from transportation.
Emissions have trended downward in Lexington. In 2007, Lexington emitted 24.4 metric tonnes of CO2e per resident, as compared to 2021’s rate of 18.1 metric tonnes. However, if Lexington were to make no major changes in its operations and energy initiatives, CO2e emissions would increase 30% by 2050.
Lexington’s Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington 2045, set a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Large-scale reforms around energy usage, transportation habits and sources, and waste management would be needed to achieve that goal.
You can review the presentation slides starting on page 38 of this packet. Residents can read the full Greenhouse Gas Inventory here if interested.
