2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Download and read the entire Boca Raton 2021 Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.

Reductions in Greenhouse gas emissions. 

The City's Sustainability Action Plan set a target of 15% emission reduction by 2025. From 2018 to 2021 they City's community-wide emissions were reduced by 9.9%. 

Chart showing changes in ghg emissions in sectors, description in text

Between 2018 and 2021, the City saw a 9.9% reduction in emissions. Transportation emissions decreased 15.3%, Commercial energy emissions decreased 9.3%, and water and wastewater emissions decreased 6%. Residential energy and solid waste emissions increased 1.7% and 14.2% respectively. 

2018 Community Wide Emissions

In 2020 the City released a baseline emissions inventory for 2018 for both government operations and community-wide emissions. Since then, a new data source for transportation emissions became available (Google Environmental Insights Explorer). Since this data source is considered to be more accurate, the 2018 inventory was updated using Google EIE data for 2018. This also makes the new 2018 inventory directly comparable to the 2021 inventory. 

ghg emissions by sector in 2018 description in text

Total community-wide emissions in 2018 were 1,246,745 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). Transportation emissions represented 49.8%, Commercial Energy 27.6%, and Residential Energy 19.1%. Solid waste, water and wastewater, and industrial emissions represented less than 2% of emissions each. 

2021 Community Wide Emissions

ghg emissions by sector in 2021 description in text

Total community-wide emissions in 2021 were 1,134,088 MTCO2e. Transportation emissions represented 47.5%, Commercial Energy 27.8%, and Residential Energy 21.3%. Solid waste, water and wastewater, and industrial emissions represented less than 2% of emissions each. 


Science Based Targets

The Sustainability Action Plan set a emission reduction target of 15% by 2025. This target was established based on a global goal of limiting warming to less than 2°C from pre-industrial temperatures. In 2021 the City Council joined the Cities Race to Zero. The Race to Zero commitment is aimed at reaching the global goal of limiting warming to no more than 1.5°C. On average Cities will need to reduce emissions by 63% by 2030 and reach net zero before 2050 to meet this target. 

Based on an analysis by ICLEI, the City's fair share science based target is 63% reduction by 2030. 

High Impact Action

The City will be able to meet a target of 63% ghg reduction by 2030. To do so will require supporting or taking high impact action within the highest emitting sectors, namely energy use and transportation. 

Based on an analysis by ICLEI, to reach the City's net zero goals will require the following high impact actions. 

Grid Decarbonization

Support a decarbonization of the electric grid of 80% by 2030.

An 80% reduction is based on the proposed National Clean Energy Standard. Florida Power & Light has a "Real Zero" target of producing carbon free energy by 2045, with an interim 2030 target of 52% decarbonization. While this is shy of the 80% target, through a transition to natural gas and increase in solar generation, FP&L's grid already has a carbon intensity around 28% less than the national average. 

To help bridge the gap between the City's 80% goal and FP&L's Real Zero commitment, the City can support increased renewable electricity generation in the City. As a SolSmart community, the City has taken steps to streamline solar energy permitting and reduce soft costs. Learn more on the City's Go Solar page. In addition, Federal tax credits are available to offset 30% of the costs of a solar energy installation. Learn more at Energy.gov. 

Transportation emissions

Reduce vehicle miles travelled (VMT) by 10% and increase electric VMT to 30%

The City has zoning rules which encourages mixed use and multi-modal transportation. Policies and programs, such as vision zero or complete streets, can further encourage vehicle miles travelled (VMT) reduction. Electric vehicle adoption is encouraged in the City through public charging stations and the City's Electric Vehicle Ready ordinance. 

Building energy emissions

Energy efficiency is increased by 20% in 5% percent of existing building square footage. All new buildings exceed IECC 2018 standards for efficiency.

To support building energy efficiency the City could encourage energy efficiency retrofits through incentive programs. Policies could be enacted to require efficiency in new development. Federal incentives are currently available for homeowners and commercial property owners to improve energy efficiency. Learn more at EnergyStar.gov.