Oregon Global Warming Commission delivers report
By Christina Williams
Editor, Sustainable Business Oregon
The Oregon Global Warming Commission delivered its annual report to the Legislature on Thursday, with research showing that while greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be flat or on downward trend for a few years to come, progress toward reducing emissions remains significantly uncertain.
In 2007, the Oregon Legislature set goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
The 11-member commission started a "Roadmap to 2020" project to identify steps the state will need to take to reach the 2020 goal.
A few of those recommendations, of the 169 the commission identified, are:
• Improving energy efficiency, ramping down emissions associated with coal generation and the integration of a smarter grid.
• Expanding urban transit, support electric vehicles and considering climate change in transportation planning and funding.
• Establishing higher standards for new buildings, reduce food waste and advocate for a carbon price signal.
• A range of other measures across forestry, agriculture and industrial sectors.
The full report is available for download from the Keep Oregon Cool website.
The commission will launch a communications effort to publicize the roadmap later this year.
christinawilliams@bizjournals.com | 503.219.3438
Comments
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.