Agenda Date: 10/21/2025
Subject:
Title
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Presentation
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Laura Rosenbaum, Sustainability Coordinator |
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Presentation: |
Laura Rosenbaum, Sustainability Coordinator |
PURPOSE:
Present the findings of the City’s first comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and seek the city council’s direction to continue developing an environmental residence and adaptation plan.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
Since October 2024, the City of Littleton has been working on its first comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, which was a key milestone of the city’s adopted Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. The data compiled provides a foundation for future data-driven decision-making and supports efforts to identify the most impactful strategies for emissions reductions. Findings from this baseline will inform the development of measurable climate goals and a future resilience and adaptation plan.
This inventory establishes a 2023 baseline for emissions associated with both community-wide and local government operations. The largest share of community-wide emissions originated from commercial energy use (33%), including electricity and natural gas consumption. The largest share of local government operations emissions is from water and wastewater treatment facilities (over 80%). However, this statistic does not adequately demonstrate the greatest need. Due to carbon offset accounting, reductions taken by South Platte Renew (SPR) are significant but not reflected properly. When water and wastewater emissions are excluded, the leading contributor to municipal emissions was building and facilities (57%).
BACKGROUND:
Naturally occurring gases dispersed in the atmosphere determine the Earth’s climate by trapping solar radiation, a phenomenon known as the greenhouse gas effect. Overwhelming evidence shows that human activities are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases and changing the global climate. The most significant contributor is the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, electricity generation and other purposes, which introduces large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Collectively, these gases intensify the natural greenhouse gas effect, causing global average surface and lower atmospheric temperatures to rise, threatening the safety, quality of life, and economic prosperity of global communities.
As local governments continue to join the climate movement, the need for a standardized approach to quantify GHG emissions has proven essential. This inventory uses the approach and methods provided by the U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Community Protocol) and the Local Government Operations Protocol for Accounting and Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions (LGO Protocol). To complete this inventory, Littleton utilized tools and guidelines from ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), which provides authoritative direction for greenhouse gas emissions accounting and defines climate neutrality.
Prior Actions or Discussions
At the April 23, 2024, council study session, ESB presented their finalized Environmental Stewardship Action Plan.
At the June 4, 2024, council study session, council supported and endorsed the Horizon 2027 Strategic Plan, which includes implementing ESB’s Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. A key milestone identified in the plan was for the city to complete a baseline greenhouse gas inventory, which is now completed.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A