Problem Statement
Signatory cities of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement were early adopters of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Many of these cities set ambitious emission reduction targets that appear unlikely to be met by 2012. In addition to these signatory cities, other cities, companies and organizations have experienced varying degrees of success in setting and achieving their own greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The City of Charlotte wants to adopt a greenhouse gas emission reduction target that they are able to successfully achieve.
Objectives
In 2007, Charlotte’s City Council passed a resolution directing City staff to:
(1) Inventory City Operations GHG emissions
(2) Establish aggressive and realistic GHG emission reduction targets
(3) Create an action plan
(4) Prepare a cost-benefit analysis
(5) Adopt a budget to meet the emission reduction targets.
The primary objective of the Duke Masters Project is to determine the most appropriate metrics for the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and to recommend a specific emissions reduction target and action plan.
