Tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions Matters

Spokane's latest greenhouse gas emissions report indicates that 48% of emissions come from energy used in homes and buildings, while transportation contributes 41%. This assessment aligns with House Bill 1181, which the Washington State Legislature passed in 2023 to integrate climate considerations into local planning. To generate this data, city staff and consultants analyzed electricity and natural gas consumption. Since 2016, emissions have increased by 5%, driven by a 7% population rise and a 30% uptick in natural gas use due to colder weather in 2022. The report presents findings in various formats, including a high-level factsheet and an interactive dashboard for deeper data exploration.

These resources aim to engage the public and inform future climate policies. Residents can subscribe to the PlanSpokane newsletter for updates and access detailed data on the city's environmental webpage. The findings underscore the need for effective climate pollution reduction strategies in Spokane's Comprehensive Plan.