Long Beach has certified its greenhouse gas emissions inventory with the California Climate Action Registry, earning the distinction of a Climate Action Leader.
The city is now publicly and voluntarily reporting its 2008 GHG emissions under the California Registry's rigorous program, according to city spokesman Ed Kamlan.
Two years ago, in 2008, Long Beach reduced its greenhouse gas emissions, taking an important first step in showing progress toward reducing the city's carbon footprint.
The majority of the city's emissions came from electricity, at 30,187 metric tons, which is 749 metric tons less than in 2007, Kamlan said.
n 2008, vehicles and equipment emitted 14,638 metric tons, and natural gas usage accounted for 4,392 metric tons, which is 1,788 metric tons less than in 2007.
With increasing emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions at both the state and federal levels, completing an inventory places Long Beach in a leadership role and prepares the city for future regulations, Kamlan said.
The inventory includes carbon dioxide emissions for city-owned and operated sites, facilities and operations. The city's emissions come from energy use associated with electricity, natural gas and vehicle fuel.
This is a comprehensive inventory of city operations, including Long Beach Gas & Oil, the Long Beach Water Department and the Port of Long Beach.
Included in the inventory are city facilities like City Hall and fire stations, operations like traffic signals, and vehicles like street sweepers and police cruisers.
The California Registry, created by the state in 2001, is a private nonprofit organization that supports companies and organizations in tracking, publicly reporting and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
The results are verified by independent third parties to ensure compliance with California Registry protocols.
Long Beach's certified GHG emissions report for 2008 is available at the website at www.sustainablelb.com
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
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