Community GHG Emissions

While progress has been made in reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Tempe, the city is taking further approaches to reduce GHG emissions. Building energy and specifically grid electricity is the largest single source of emissions in the community inventory. Energy emissions account for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces and transportation emissions come from all the people driving through and in Tempe.

Community GHG Emissions Comparison between 2015 and 2020

Given the region’s advantage for available renewable energy sources, we are well positioned to make significant changes through the right partnerships with our energy providers to reach 100% renewable energy for the electric grid. Even with a renewable energy transition, carbon neutrality is not achievable without significant local action through the transportation sector and Tempe’s building stock.

Estimated carbon emissions with a %100 renewable electricity supply 

Building Efficiency

While many factors influence the potential of energy efficiency in different building stock, efficiency could reduce residential energy use by at least 20% and 30% in commercial buildings. The city could avoid over 700,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent between now and 2050.

Reduction potential from building energy efficiency