2021-107 Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee RecommendationsDate: December 10, 2021 Report No. 2021-107
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee Recommendations for Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Target Setting and Race to Zero challenge, with additional information
BACKGROUND:
The Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee (SFAC) is charged to advise the Denton City
Council on the implementation of, and matters related to, the City’s Simply Sustainable
Framework. During the first two SFAC meetings, May and June 2021, staff provided background
information regarding the Simply Sustainable Framework and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Management program. At the July meeting, the SFAC recommended that the City Council adopt
“science-based” targets for GHG emissions reduction and that the City join the ICLEI 150/Cities
Race to Zero challenge. The science-based target represents the City of Denton’s “fair share of
global reductions to avoid a 1.5-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures. The quantitative
outcome is a 46.3 % decrease in emissions from 2018 to 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions
by 2050.
An ISR was provided to City Council on August 20, 2021, staff received council feedback
requesting additional information on how the Science Based Target (SBT) would be reached.
Working with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability city staff has provided five, sector-
specific, High Impact Actions that provide the type and magnitude of actions needed to reach the
2030 SBT of a 46.3% decrease in emissions from 2018. The SFAC has reviewed the High Impact
Actions and recommends both adoption of the SBT and the development of a Climate Action Plan
to outline steps necessary to achieve targets.
DISCUSSION:
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) trap heat in the atmosphere and are produced from natural and
anthropogenic sources, which include Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), and Nitrous Oxide
(N2O). Examples of anthropogenic (manmade) sources include fossil fuel combustion for energy
and transportation, landfill and other sources of decomposing organic matter, and agriculture and
industrial processes. Reductions in anthropogenic emissions have direct and indirect benefits such
as climate change mitigation, improved public health, and resource conservation.
A baseline GHG inventory for the City of Denton for the year 2006 was assembled in 2011. The
2006 inventory is used as a benchmark to track improvements in emission reduction for subsequent
Date: December 10, 2021 Report No. 2021-107
years. Since 2015, Sustainability staff has completed an annual greenhouse gas inventories update
to improve data understanding and provide a basis for better informed, decision-making.
The Simply Sustainable Framework, the City’s comprehensive plan related to sustainability, lists
the following goals related to Greenhouse Gas Management and Air Quality:
Set reduction targets for municipal and community greenhouse gas emissions,
Annually update Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Contribution Analysis, and
Create Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plan
Science-Based Targets
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is widely referenced as the source for reduction
target setting to avoid a 1.5℃ increase in global temperatures by 2050 and avert many of the effects
associated with that increase. The IPCC 5th assessment models indicate to avoid exceedance of a
1.5℃ increase in global temperatures, the global net anthropogenic CO2 emissions will need to be
reduced by 40-60% by 2030 and achieve net-zero between 2045 and 2055 (based on the model’s
interquartile range statistic). Governments at all levels have historically utilized these goals and
incorporated them into their own planning efforts if they choose to align with the concept of
avoiding a 1.5℃ global temperature increase. New methodologies released in late 2020 offer
alternative methods for achieving this alignment, Science-Based Target setting.
Cities with GHG reduction targets to this point have chosen to enact their own short and long-term
goals based on feasibility, scope of influence, or matching global IPCC recommendations. These
goals range in quantity and can be altered when achieved, or new technology becomes available.
High Impact Actions (Sector Based)
Based on the results of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory which began in 2006, the two sectors with
the largest GHG contribution for the Denton community are transportation and energy
consumption. For this reason, the sector-based High Impact Actions focus on these sectors to
create a path forward, meeting the 2030 Science-Based Target. These actions are as follows:
Grid Decarbonization: 80% Reduction in carbon intensity (kg CO2e/MWH) by 2030 (All
electricity providers in Denton community)
Commercial Building Efficiency: New Buildings IECC 2018 or newer and 5% of
commercial space retrofitted
Residential building efficiency: New buildings IECC 2018 or newer and 10% of
residential space retrofitted
Commercial Building Electrification: All new buildings electrified and 6% of existing
commercial space electrified annually
Residential Building Electrification: All new buildings electrified and 6% of existing
residential space electrified annually
Date: December 10, 2021 Report No. 2021-107
Reduction in Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT): 20% reduction in total community VMT
by 2030
Electric Vehicle Adoption: 30% of community VMT is driven by electric vehicles by
2030
As the Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee discusses action items these High Impact
Actions provide a baseline for ensuring future climate action planning documents are in line with
Science-Based Target goals.
Timeline to Date
July 23, 2021 – Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee recommendation
August 2021 COE - Cancelled
August 20, 2021 – First ISR to City Council
September 24, 2021 – Review council ISR feedback and discuss sector-based High Impact
Actions
October 29, 2021 – Review Sustainability Fund Proposals and Priorities (SFAC)
November 19, 2021 – Discuss Climate Adaptation Next steps (SFAC)
December 10, 2021 – Follow up ISR to City Council regarding Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Target Setting
CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS:
The Sustainability Framework Advisory Recommends
1. The adoption of a Science-Based Target to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
46.3% between 2018 and 2030, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
2. That the City of Denton sign on to the ICLEI 150 Challenge and Cities Race to
Zero imitative
Staff will bring forward a Resolution to adopt the Science Based Target at an upcoming City
Council meeting. High Impact Actions will be addressed as an element of a formal climate action
plan or similar document.
STAFF CONTACT:
Katherine Barnett, Sustainability Manager
REQUESTOR:
Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee