The City of Detroit recognizes the harmful effect greenhouse gas emissions has on our environment. Climate change poses a serious threat to the economic well-being, public health, natural resources and neighborhoods in the City. In an effort to combat climate change the City of Detroit has pledged to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement, which is an international commitment to limit global temperature. The City seeks to align with global standards by identifying and quantifying greenhouse gas emissions emitted throughout the City. The City will work toward reducing its carbon footprint and set achievable goals to better the overall health and well-being of the community and its environment.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
Carbon footprint means the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, or entity.
Carbon signs means forests and other vegetation that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
City-wide greenhouse gas emissions means carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted by entities in the City of Detroit that are non-municipal facilities. Fugitive emissions means unintended greenhouse gas emissions from the processing, transmission, and transportation of fossil fuels.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) means any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere, Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydroflurocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
Greenhouse gas emission benchmark means a standard or point of reference against which carbon emissions may be compared or assessed.
Greenhouse gas inventory means an accounting of greenhouse gas emissions for a specific period of time.
Municipal greenhouse gas emissions means carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted by the City of Detroit government buildings, facilities, vehicles, fleets and methods of public transportation.
Office of Sustainability means a City of Detroit office created by the Mayor that develops and implements policies and practices in collaboration with City departments and agencies that focus on enhancing the City’s environment.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
The City completed an assessment of its municipal GHG emissions in 2012. The municipal operations were assessed at 1.18 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The City seeks to achieve the following reductions in municipal GHG emissions as follows:
(1) 35 percent below 2012 levels by 2024;
(2) 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2034; and
(3) 100 percent below 2012 levels by 2050.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
(a) The City completed an assessment of city-wide GHG emissions in 2012. The city-wide GHG emissions were assessed at 10.6 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The City will strive to work toward reducing city-wide GHG emissions by 30 percent below 2012 levels by 2025.
(b) City-wide emission reduction targets will be clarified, modified, and adopted through the Climate Strategy Process and will be completed simultaneously with the GHG assessments as required in Sections 20-10-5 and 20-10-6 of this Article.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
(a) An inventory of municipal GHG emissions shall be completed once every four years, with the first such assessment completed by August 1, 2020 with a review of 2019 municipal GHG emissions.
(b) The assessment shall account for the following:
(1) Gas and electricity used in owned and leased municipal buildings and facilities;
(2) Street lighting and traffic signals;
(3) Solid waste fugitive sources and incineration, including: landfill gas, incinerator emissions, fugitive emissions from public and private waste processes, sludge incineration; process emissions from wastewater treatment; petroleum refining; and solid waste landfill disposal;
(4) Wastewater drainage, treatment and disposal;
(5) Water supply facilities collection, treatment and distribution;
(6) Municipal transportation, and,
(7) Other sources as recommended by the entity conducting the assessment.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
(a) In accordance with the standard methods utilized globally, an inventory of city-wide GHG emissions shall be completed once every four years, with the first such assessment completed by August 1, 2020 with a review of 2019 city-wide GHG emissions.
(b) The assessment shall account for the following:
(1) Gas and electricity used in existing private buildings and infrastructure, including: residential, commercial and industrial buildings and facilities;
(2) Solid waste fugitive sources and incineration, including: landfill gas, incinerator emissions, fugitive emissions from public and private waste processes, sludge incineration; process emissions from waste water treatment; petroleum refining; and solid waste landfill disposal;
(3) Fugitive emissions from mining, processing, storage and transportation of coal;
(4) Fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas systems;
(5) Land use impacts, which may include tree planting, tree canopies, vegetated areas and creation of carbon sinks in all communities within the City;
(6) Agriculture, forestry and fishing activities;
(7) Transportation including: vehicles, railways, waterborne navigation, and aviation;
(8) Wastewater drainage, treatment and disposal; and
(9) Other sources as recommended by the entity conducting the assessment.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
(a) The Office of Sustainability shall provide an annual report to City Council. The report shall review the actions to reduce municipal and city-wide GHG emissions and shall include:
(1) An analysis as to whether the City has achieved the benchmarks set forth in Sections 24-14-3 and 24-14-4 of this Article;
(2) Details of the measures taken by the City to reduce municipal and citywide GHG emissions;
(3) Detailed estimates of municipal GHG emissions including the following:
a. The cost to implement the identified municipal GHG emissions reduction measures;
b. The annual savings anticipated as a result of the identified municipal GHG emissions reduction measures;
c. The annual GHG emissions reductions anticipated as a result of the identified municipal GHG reduction measures.
d. The total municipal GHG emissions reductions anticipated by 2024, 2034, and 2050 as a result of the identified GHG emissions reduction measures; and
(4) Details of future strategies that may be implemented city-wide and within the municipality to reduce GHG emissions.
(b) The Director of the Office of Sustainability, or his or her designee, shall submit a report to City Council concerning the review of all actions taken, and the findings of any assessment completed, by January 31st of each year.
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).
Codified by Ord. No. 25-19 (JCC. 7/9/19, Pass. 7/23/19, App. 7/24/19, Pub. 8/8/19, Eff. 8/8/19); Saved From Repeal By Ord. No. 28-19 (JCC. 7/23/19, Pass. 9/10/19, App. 9/11/19, Pub. 9/20/19, Eff. 10/1/19).