FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2023
Charlottesville Releases Updated GHG Inventories
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The City’s Climate Program has released community-wide Greenhouse Gas inventory data for calendar years 2020 and 2021. Data can be found on the updated City website at Charlottesville.org/emissions. In addition to the inventories, there are links to the full version of the recently adopted Climate Action Plan (CAP), a summary version of the CAP, and an informative video presentation by City Staff.
The City’s GHG Inventory was heavily impacted in 2020 by COVID-19. Due to stay-at-home orders and the reduction of GHG-producing activities, emissions levels dropped significantly. In fact, community-wide emissions were 45% below the 2011 baseline, which meets the City’s 2030 reduction target. In 2021, emissions were back up to 40% below the 2011 baseline year, and 10% below 2019 emissions or “pre-pandemic” levels. As activity continues to return to a new normal, the forthcoming 2022 emissions levels are expected to rise slightly. This does not necessarily mean the City is off track in meeting our emissions reduction goals. Ongoing efforts to reduce emissions remain relevant and timely, and new initiatives are ramping up as we move to implement the CAP to permanently reduce our collective GHG emissions.
The Community-wide inventory covers emissions from Charlottesville’s homes and businesses, industry, the transportation sector, waste and wastewater. Municipal activities by the City’s government are accounted separately in the municipal inventory.
Data comes from a variety of sources, including Dominion Energy, Charlottesville Gas, VDOT, the Rivanna Authorities, the U.S. Census Bureau, and Amtrak. You can learn more about our inventory process by visiting our website (Charlottesville.org/emissions).
Media Contact
Emily Irvine
Climate Program Manager
City of Charlottesville
(434) 996-0232
irvinees@charlottesville.gov