Sustainable Thurston Report Card

Goal
Move toward a carbon-neutral community.

Targets

  1. Greenhouse gas emissions:
    • Achieve 25% reduction of 1990 levels by 2020
    • Achieve 45% reduction of 1990 levels by 2035
    • Achieve 80% reduction of 1990 levels by 2050
  2. Decrease annual per capita vehicle miles traveled in the Thurston Region to:
    • 1990 levels by 2020
    • 30% below 1990 levels by 2035
    • 50% below 1990 levels by 2050

Outlook
CloudyStormy, concerns for the future.
Over the last few years, greenhouse gas emissions per capita have increased to 1990 levels even though vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita have decreased.  While the region has met its 2020 target for VMT reduction, we are nowhere near the 2020 target for greenhouse gas emissions.  VMT per capita remains higher than the low seen in 2012.  These factors make it that much more difficult to meet the 2035 and 2050 targets. 

  1. Emissions Per Capita
  2. Total Emissions
  3. VMT

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Data Tables

Why is this important?
Planning and acting to reduce or offset greenhouse gases will help zero out the net amount of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases the region emits into the atmosphere.  

Key Observations
Until a regional Climate Action Plan is complete, it is unknown what steps need to be taken to achieve this goal. Meeting land use and vehicle miles traveled targets will move the region in the right direction. Thurston Regional Planning Council completed a Climate Adaptation Plan in 2018 and is currently working with Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Thurston County on a Climate Mitigation Plan.