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
In 2019, the built environment accounted for 62% of the Thurston region's greenhouse gas emissions; transportation accounted for 31%. In order to meet the 2030 target, the region will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) each year between 2019 and 2030.
In order to meet the 2035 VMT target, the Thurston region will need to maintain the per capita VMT seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 or decrease per capita VMT from prepandemic (i.e. 2019) levels by about 15%.
The Sustainable Thurston targets for greenhouse gas emissions were updated in February 2021 to be consistent with the regional climate action plan, which consists of a Climate Adaptation Plan and a Climate Mitigation Plan. Taking actions identified in the Climate Mitigation Plan and meeting land use and vehicle miles traveled targets will move the region in the right direction.