The city of Kirkland has issued its 2018 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Report, which includes an inventory of 2017 GHG emissions for the entire Kirkland community and for city government operations.

The report shows that overall community-wide and government emissions have decreased from their 2005 levels, despite a significant increase in population during this same period, according to a city press release. The overall community emissions decreased from the 2005 amount — going from 815,242 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gases (MTCO2e) to 640,900 MTCO2e in 2017. This equates to a community-wide emissions decrease of 21.4 percent. Emissions from city government operations have decreased from the 2005 levels 5,100 to 3,530 MTCO2e in 2017, a 31 percent reduction.

According to the release Kirkland City Council adopted greenhouse gas reduction targets via Resolution R-4659 in 2007. This resolution targeted a 20 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2020. As of 2017, the city government operations have met the 2020 target for reduction. The report states that the Kirkland community appears to be trending toward the 2020 emissions reduction goal. However, the report does recommend additional steps to ensure that 2020, 2030 and 2050 GHG emission reduction targets are met. Some of the recommendations include:

Encourage business to promote ride-sharing, work from home and alternative forms of transportation such as bike share.

Look for opportunities to create additional “10-minute neighborhoods” and incorporate sustainability principles into long range planning efforts.

Plan effectively for transit-oriented development around regional transit investments.

A full-version of the report can be found on the city website at tinyurl.com/y7b4ghoz. Questions and comments can be sent to senior planner David Barnes at dbarnes@kirklandwa.gov.