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Portland's Local Action Plan to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

An Effective Practice

Description

In 1993 Portland, Oregon was the first U.S. city to adopt a local action plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In 2001, the city of Portland and Multnomah County released a new, joint local action plan. Portland and Multnomah County address various environmental aspects to reduce emissions. Local and state governments and local utilities joined to support an aggressive electricity conservation effort. Support of the public transportation system also helped reduce emissions. Portland and Multnomah County focus on the following six action plan components in their effort to reduce emissions including energy efficiency initiatives, transportation reductions, renewable energy resources, recycling, forestry, and community education.

Goal / Mission

The 2001 action plan, which is more aggressive than the Kyoto Protocol, calls for a 10 percent reduction below 1990 carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

Results / Accomplishments

Through implementation of the 1993 plan, by 1997 Portland's transit ridership increased by 30%, auto commutes to the central business district were cut by 15%, and solid waste disposal per household was reduced 13%. Also, per capita greenhouse gas emissions were 3% below 1990 baseline levels.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
City of Portland and Multnomah County
Primary Contact
Office of Sustainable Development
1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 706
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 823-7222
http://www.sustainableportland.org
Topics
Environmental Health / Air
Community / Transportation
Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
Organization(s)
City of Portland and Multnomah County
Source
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Date of publication
2001
Date of implementation
1993
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Portland, OR
For more details
Healthy Marin