9.5 Case Study: Two Climate Action Plans

Introduction

Increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are causing climate change, so how do we reduce those emissions? Whether dictated by an international, national, or local regulation or a voluntary agreement, plans are needed to move to a low-carbon economy. In the absence of federal regulation, cities, states, government institutions, and colleges and universities, have all taken climate action initiatives. This case study provides two examples of climate action plans – one for a city (Chicago) and one for an institution (the University of Illinois at Chicago).

Chicago’s Climate Action Plan

Urban areas produce a lot of waste. In fact, 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions are generated in urban areas. Therefore, it is important for cities to develop plans to address environmental issues. The Chicago Climate Action Plan (Chicago CAP) is one such example. The mid-term goal of this plan is a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and final goal is 80% reduction below 1990 GHG levels by the year 2050.

The Chicago CAP outlines several benefits of a climate action plan. The first would obviously be the reduction of the effects of climate change.  Second, there is an economic benefit derived from increased efficiency that reduce energy and water consumption. Third, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels helps the United States achieve energy independence.

Figure 1 depicts the emissions calculated for Chicago through 2005. From that point there is an estimate (the dotted line) of a further increase before the reductions become evident and the goals portrayed can be obtained. The plan was released in September 2008 and provides a roadmap of five strategies with 35 actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and adapt to climate change. Figure 2 identifies the proportion of emissions reductions from the various strategies.

University Climate Action Plan

Several factors caused a major Chicago university to develop a climate action plan. As part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), nearly 670 presidents have signed a commitment to inventory their greenhouse gases, publicly report it, and to develop a climate action plan. In order to be a better steward of the environment, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) developed a climate action plan. The goals are similar to Chicago’s: a 40% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 and at least 80% by 2050, using a 2004 baseline. The strategies align with those of the city in which the campus resides (see Table Alignment of the Chicago and UIC Climate Action Plans). UIC’s greenhouse gas reports are also made publicly available on the ACUPCC reporting site. Figure 3 displays UIC’s calculated emissions inventory (in red) and then the predicted increases for growth if activities continue in a “business as usual (BAU)” approach. The triangular wedges below represent emissions reductions through a variety of strategies. Those strategies are displayed in Table Alignment of the Chicago and UIC Climate Action Plans, alongside Chicago’s for comparative purposes.

The UIC CAP also has major strategy categories that are similar to Chicago’s and within each strategy there are a number of recommended actions. Progress on this plan will be monitored both by reporting emissions at least every two years to the ACUPCC and by tracking individual actions and reporting to the campus community.