Emissions Sectors
Introduction
Measurable climate impact stems from well-defined goals and actionable strategies. Forming the core of the priority climate action plan outlines our various greenhouse gas mitigation recommendations by sector. Sectors include Mobility and Transportation, Electricity Production and Consumption, Energy Efficiency and Buildings, Waste Management, Industrial Impact, and Working Lands and Forestry. Within each sector, our goals and strategies are informed by an extensive analysis of climate action plans across the country at the regional, state, and city scales. Crafted within the unique context of New Haven County and developed in collaboration with our public engagement initiatives, these strategies are underpinned by a commitment to equity.
Our chosen priority strategies emerge from their dual capacity to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and provide tangible benefits to vulnerable populations. These benefits range from enhanced public health due to reduced air pollution to increased community engagement and economic incentives. Rooted in the present climate landscape, these mitigation strategies are designed to remain effective across various future scenarios. To ensure their adaptability, our priority strategies underwent testing within three distinct future scenarios, gauging their efficacy in achieving emissions reductions irrespective of the prevailing policies, opinions, and funding shaping each version of the future.
Sector 1: Mobility & Transportation
With its complex system of highways, railroads, ports, airports, and public transit systems, New Haven County's transportation network is unique, considering its size. Transportation is the most significant sector contributing to GHG emissions in the state and the county, with cars and light trucks being primary contributors. In contrast, public transport only accounts for 0.24% of the emissions from this sector.
Sector 2: Electricity Production & Consumption
Renewable energy is the centerpiece for transforming the electricity sector and supporting a cross-sector shift away from fossil fuel combustion and towards electrification. Currently, the electricity sector accounts for 15% of the state's total GHG emissions (CT DEEP). However, emissions are expected to rise if the electrical grid does not move off of combustion of fuel sources as we electrify our cars, homes, and businesses. That's why investing in renewable energy solutions at the local and regional level is so important. We can support this transition by procuring renewable energy for municipal operations, utilizing on site solar, and supporting consumer solar incentives.
Sector 3: Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Energy efficiency in buildings is crucial as it reduces energy consumption, lowers operating costs and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. It is an essential sector to help combat climate change while promoting sustainability and cost savings. Improved energy efficiency in buildings also enhance the quality of life and productivity while reducing the reliance on finite energy sources and promoting long term economic reliance.
With the recent closure of a substantial waste-to-energy plant, waste management has become a pressing issue for Connecticut, which now ships 40% of its garbage to Ohio and Pennsylvania at a significant cost. The need to find cost-effective, sustainable waste management solutions is acute; emissions reduction strategies can play an essential role in solving Connecticut's waste problem. Reductions in the waste stream at all points of the supply chain have environmental, economic, and public health benefits beyond greenhouse gas reductions by lowering pollution from nitrogen, plastics, and toxins. Repairing, reusing, and reclaiming materials and the development of composting programs and anaerobic digesters for biogas also offer areas for workforce development. (CT DEEP, 2023; NVCOG, 2023; WasteZero, 2020).
The industrial sector consists of emissions from facilities such as power plants, natural gas, petroleum systems, and other major industries such as healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and universities.
Sector 6: Working Lands & Forestry
Working lands and forests play a pivotal role in strategies to mitigate emissions through effective carbon sequestration and storage measures. While this sector may not be a major emissions contributor, healthy, productive forests can help offset carbon and offer a multitude of ecological, economic, and social benefits.