SANTA FE, February 20, 2024 – The 2022 Municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory is now available on the City’s Sustainability Dashboard. The inventory, which calculates GHG emissions specific to city government buildings and functions, shows that the City’s total carbon footprint for 2022 was 34,425 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Compared to the 2018 inventory total of 56,148 MT CO2e, the new data shows how the City’s commitment to carbon neutrality has achieved a 38.7% reduction in emissions in four years. 

The reductions in municipal emissions are attributed to a variety of factors, from reduced utility usage to large solar installations to the implementation of new city policies, such as work-from-home schedules. The largest net reduction in the 2022 Inventory was in Water & Wastewater Facilities and in Buildings & Facilities. This reduction is primarily a result of municipal investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. City employees are also contributing as more people are opting to drive electric vehicles (EVs). The GHG report provides brief explanations specific to each sector. 

"It's up to the City to set an example when it comes to sustainability. If we want the whole community to pitch in, we need to lead the way," said Mayor Alan Webber. "Thanks to everyone who is part of City government, we are making real, tangible, measurable, and important progress in cutting emissions and reaching our goals. We're going to keep up this good work and I'd encourage everyone in Santa Fe to work together to keep Santa Fe the most sustainable city in the country."

The City has a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2040 and will continue its work to be a leader in sustainability by reducing energy waste at its facilities, increasing utilization of renewable energy, reducing emissions from its fleet, and helping employees switch to electric vehicles for their commutes. In addition to its work to reduce its municipal carbon footprint, the City is also mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and improving community resiliency through policies and programs described in the Sustainable Santa Fe 25-Year Plan.

For more information on City sustainability efforts, please visit the Sustainability Dashboard at sustainability.santafenm.gov.  

Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories are critical for local government action to address climate change. The City of Santa Fe conducts both community-wide greenhouse gas inventories and municipal greenhouse gas inventories. Community Inventories include all people, vehicles, and buildings within the city. Municipal Inventories are specific to city government buildings and functions. The latest report is a municipal inventory, and the most recent community inventory was conducted in 2021.