COLUMBUSCLIMATE
ACTIONPLAN

A SUSTAINABLE COMMITMENT

In February 2020, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther set the goal for being carbon neutral by 2050. Stakeholders worked together to release the City's Climate Action Plan at the end of 2021 to advance environmental justice and serve as a roadmap to meet the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, with substantial carbon reductions by 2030.

• 45% greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 2030

• Carbon neutrality by 2050

African American individuals are 40% more likely to live in areas with the highest projected increase in mortality rates due to extreme temperatures.

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CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND SO ARE THE CHALLENGES

In Columbus, industrial, commercial, and residential energy creates over 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions, while the transportation sector accounts for more than 44% of the emissions.

Significantly reducing these emissions will require overcoming several challenges including:

• 20% of our GHG emissions come from buildings*, but making improvements on existing buildings may require financing and overcoming regulatory barriers to optimize every kilowatt used.
• 44% of our GHG emissions come from transportation, but reducing that number requires residents to voluntarily shift how they use and power their single-occupant vehicles
• 100% of our GHG emission reductions require public, private, and personal investment of time and money

1/5th of municipal greenhouse emissions come from buildings and facilities.

FOUR CLIMATE GOALS

To accomplish this, Smart Columbus is leading the way on four climate goals outlined in the City of Columbus' Climate Action Plan. These goals focus on transitioning to renewable energy as well as electrifying passenger vehicles and fleets.

1. INCREASE COMMERCIAL ON-SITE SOLAR

Targets:

• 200 MW municipal installed by 2030
• 600 MW private installed by 2030
• 2 GW total installed by 2050

2. INCREASE PRIVATE ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE ADOPTION

Targets:

• Equitable EV charging plan developed by 2025
• EV Ready Ordinance implemented by 2025
• 15% ZEV registrations by 2030
• 100% ZEV registrations by 2050

3. IMPLEMENT ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE FLEETS

Targets:

• 100% municipal light duty passenger ZEV by 2030
• 50% rideshare and private fleets ZEV by 2030
• 100% ZEV fleets by 2050.

4. PROMOTE MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE ADOPTION

Targets:

• 2% zero emission medium/heavy duty vehicles by 2030
• 100% zero emission medium/heavy duty vehicles by 2050