Seattle Climate Protection Initiative homepage



This website is for archival purposes only, and is no longer updated. Please visit the Office of Sustainability & Environment Climate Protection page for the latest information.

Seattle's Carbon Footprint

Seattle Climate Partnership

Green Ribbon Commission Background

US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

What You Can Do

Climate Protection Progress Report and Community GHG Inventory

The City announced on December 8 that Seattle’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 were 7 percent below 1990 levels, meeting the targets of the Kyoto Protocol. The reduction in climate pollution is even more remarkable considering Seattle’s population grew 16 percent since 1990.

The 2009 Climate Protection Initiative Progress Report details the city’s myriad environmental and smart growth programs such as bicycle and pedestrian improvements; new transit options; electric car infrastructure; conservation efforts and green building programs.

The Progress Report includes an inventory of 2008 greenhouse gas emissions produced by transportation, buildings and industry.

The City will reduce its climate pollution through broad-ranging strategies including investing in transportation choices, encouraging compact communities, promoting clean energy and conservation, leading by example, and inspiring others to take action.

In addition to reducing the City's contribution to global warming, the City will also prepare for climate change by ensuring that Seattle's infrastructure, facilities, and services are ready to adapt to the projected impacts of climate change.

The goal of the Seattle Climate Protection Initiative is to reduce greenhouse gases in Seattle by:

7% below 1990 levels by 2012
30% below 1990 levels by 2024
80% below 1990 levels by 2050

Transportation Choices, Compact Communities

To reduce vehicle miles traveled, the City is currently working to expand transportation options, center growth in urban centers, and improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure to help bicyclists and walkers reach their destination safely.

Some Current Accomplishments

More Bus Service: In 2008, the City, in combination with King County Metro, purchased 20,000 hours of new bus service.

More miles of bike lanes: Seattle Department of Transportation added 92 miles of new bike lanes and sharrows over the past three years, making it easier and safer for bicyclists to move about the City.

Pedestrian Master Plan Complete: The first citywide action plan which defines the steps needed to make Seattle a more walkable, livable, and healthy city and is a major step in improving options and safety for pedestrians. The Plan identifies areas of greatest need- where conditions are most difficult and where people need to be able to walk the most.

Clean Vehicles, Clean Fuels

To reduce climate pollution from cars on the road, the City has developed a citywide fuel-reduction plan, individual departments are taking steps to incorporate hybrid and electric vehicles into their fleets, and the City is currently testing Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and researching alternative fuels.

Some Current Accomplishments

Electric Vehicles (EV): Thanks to a major grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the City of Seattle is on track to be “plug-in ready,” or able to accommodate electric vehicles plugging into the grid, by the end of 2010. As part of the largest EV project in U.S. history, the U.S. DOE awarded Seattle $20 million of investment for EV infrastructure, which will support the development of approximately 2,500 charging stations and ensure that at least 1,000 Nissan LEAFs are sold to the area’s residents. Seattle also received $500,000 for installation of electric vehicle charging stations at city-owned properties.
City Fleet Fuel Reduction: At the beginning of 2009, the City of Seattle set a goal of reducing fuel consumption in its fleets by 3% from 2008 levels, which translates to 80,000 gallons of fuel. In just the first half of 2009, the City reduced its overall fuel consumption by 2.7%, or 32,777 gallons, compared to the same period last year.
Evergreen Fleets Award: In 2009, the City earned a 4 star rating (out of 5 stars), a certification program that recognizes fleets for making smart, environmentally responsible choices. To receive the rating, the Seattle piloted new types of biodiesel, upheld strict environmental standards when purchasing new vehicles, and implemented strategies to reduce fuel consumption, such as the “fuel duel."

Clean Energy, Efficient Buildings

To increase the number of buildings and infrastructure that use clean energy efficiently in Seattle , in addition to saving energy through Seattle City Light’s conservation programs, the City is working to promote solar and other alternative energy sources and will provide homeowners and businesses with the tools to improve building efficiency, with the goal of increasing the efficiency of Seattle buildings by at least 20 percent by 2020.

Some Current Accomplishments

Zero Net Emissions: In 2005, Seattle City Light became the first major utility in the nation to achieve a net zero greenhouse gas emission threshold, and has maintained its net zero emissions status since.

Energy Conservation: In 2008, City Light launched a five-year Conservation Action Plan that will save customers more than $310 million in energy bills over five years.

Home Energy Audits: To improve home energy efficiency, the City of Seattle will be providing 5,000 audits to Seattle City Light customers for $95 a piece over the next 18 months. This pilot program will be the largest of its kind in the United States. The homes will receive an Energy Performance Score (EPS), which indicates how well a home’s energy use and carbon emissions compare to the Seattle’s averages and goals. The City is working to make the EPS system an important factor in the real estate market and part of the standard information used to value a home.

New Buildings: In April 2009, the City of Seattle increased energy efficiency requirements for new buildings by 30 percent.

Community Engagement

To help Seattle residents lower their carbon footprint, , the City is engaging businesses and residents through two innovative programs- Seattle Climate Action Now and the Seattle Climate Partnership.

Some Current Accomplishments

Seattle Climate Partnership: The SCP has grown from 53 members in 2008 to over 160 members in 2009. New members include Microsoft, Xerox, and PCC Natural Markets.
Seattle Summer Streets: Over the 2009 summer, Climate Action Now and SDOT worked together to make streets something to celebrate. By closing down the streets to traffic and opening them to pedestrians and bicyclists, Summer Streets are a way to celebrate Seattle’s unique neighborhoods, organize around a common goal, and enjoy shopping, cycling, strolling, and connecting with neighbors and community members.

Leadership, Leverage

To help create federal and state policies that advance local climate solutions, the City is currently active at the federal and state level and is encouraging cities throughout the United States to follow Seattle’s lead by sharing resources and best practices, and by asking mayors to join the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.

Progress toward the Climate Protection Initiative is measured in three ways. First, the Climate Protection Initiative Progress Report outlines some significant accomplishments made in the City’s climate protection strategy areas. Second, specific progress toward meeting the Climate Protection Initiative goals is measured through the community-wide carbon footprint, which is released every three years. Third, to track progress on a yearly basis, the City has identified a collection of measures that give us early indications of progress. These measures are shown in the sidebar to the right. The City will use these measures as part of an ongoing evaluation of strategy areas and innovation.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Seattle's Future

Climate Action Plan and Progress Reports