Dallas is making measurable progress toward its ambitious climate goals, according to the city’s recently released 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory. The report, published on , shows an approximately 11% reduction in community-wide emissions and a 29% reduction in emissions from local government operations since , the city’s baseline year.
The findings demonstrate a commitment to the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), which aims for net-zero emissions by . Reducing greenhouse gases – those that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to climate change – is a guiding principle of CECAP, managed by the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS).
The 2023 inventory is the third comprehensive assessment of Dallas’s carbon footprint, following similar reports for and . It calculates GHG emissions both city-wide and specifically from local government operations. The inventory considers emissions from energy consumption, transportation, waste management, industrial processes, and land-use changes. For the city’s own operations, the report tallied emissions from buildings, airport facilities, streets (lighting and traffic signals), the city fleet, water and wastewater treatment, and solid waste management.
While the city has been conducting some form of GHG inventory since , the more recent comprehensive inventories provide a more detailed and standardized baseline for tracking progress. The current report utilizes protocols established by organizations including the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, the World Bank, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, and the World Resources Institute’s Global Protocol for Community Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GPC).
The reduction in emissions comes despite continued growth in the city. “Supportive technologies, stronger policies and keeping our eye on the metrics are critical to reach net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Council Member Kathy Stewart, District 10 and Chair of the Dallas City Council Parks, Trails and the Environment Committee. “As this City continues to grow, the reduction noted in this report is significant. Dallas and its residents are resilient, and we will keep working to attain net-zero.”
The inventory’s data will be crucial for developing the city’s next five-year climate action plan. Kathryn Guerra, Chair of the City of Dallas Environmental Commission, emphasized the importance of the findings, stating, “The city-wide inventory will definitively measure our progress toward our CECAP emissions-reduction goals and make the work ahead clearer. As staff develops the city’s five-year priority climate action plan, these findings will help departments target investments, refine programs and focus resources where they can most effectively reduce emissions.”
Sixteen city departments are actively involved in implementing CECAP actions, including Arts and Culture, Aviation, Code Compliance, and Transportation & Public Works. Efforts include energy efficiency upgrades, procurement of renewable energy, and expansion of waste diversion programs.
Angela Hodges Gott, Director of the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, acknowledged the work remains ongoing. “I’m encouraged by the results of this plan but note that we are just getting started. We’re five years into the 30-year plan mapped out by CECAP. OEQS is working diligently to identify ways in which You can better partner with our residents and businesses to encourage good environmental stewardship and to harness enthusiasm to make Dallas a cleaner, greener, and healthier city for everyone.”
OEQS is currently advancing initiatives such as the Dallas Green Business Certification program, urban agriculture infrastructure grants, and the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in collaboration with the North Central Texas Council of Governments. These efforts are intended to both mitigate climate change and help the city adapt to its effects.
The 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory is available for review at dallasclimateaction.com. The report provides a detailed roadmap for future climate action, and the city encourages participation from residents and businesses through waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and increased use of public transportation.
The city’s progress is being measured against the 2015 baseline of approximately 18.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, as reported in the 2023 inventory. While the report shows a decrease from that baseline, emissions did increase slightly – about 1% – compared to , reflecting shifts in transportation patterns and expanded data tracking capabilities.
