Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
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Initiative: 5.21 Develop a community centered carbon neutrality and renewable energy strategy
Thriving & Vibrant Environment
Description
This initiative will develop a Triangle Regional Climate Action Plan that prioritizes equity and environmental justice by fostering a clean energy transition for all residents, particularly those in underserved areas that are disproportionately impacted by climate change. As of 2023, 29% of Durham County residents live in disadvantaged areas as quantified by the EPA. This is much higher than our neighboring counties of Orange County (0% disadvantaged areas) and Wake County (11% disadvantaged areas).
Key Measures & Data Analysis
As part of the Triangle Region Priority Climate Action Plan, the NC State Clean Energy Technology Center completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for each county in the region. This inventory includes emissions from all sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and waste management. In total, over 4,500,000 MT CO2e are emitted in Durham County annually.
Durham County Emissions by Source (MT CO2e)
Why is it important?
The Regional Climate Action Plan will create a roadmap to achieve our Durham City/County Comprehensive Plan goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. A community-wide strategy will create a pathway for City residents, neighborhoods, businesses and institutions to reduce their carbon footprints and serve as the foundation that will guide evaluation of future grant applications, budget decisions, and other resource allocation questions related to decarbonization.
What have we been doing?
Beginning in Fall 2023, Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) worked with local governments to conduct extensive community engagement and develop two climate action plans for the Raleigh-Cary MSA and Durham-Chapel Hill MSA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate pollution. Projects included in the plan will be eligible for U.S EPA's competitive implementation grants. Additionally, the plan will be developed in coordination with other Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) plans being created in the state - the State of North Carolina local climate plans already underway.
There are 3 key deliverables for this grant:
- Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) - Complete February 2024
- Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) - Fall 2025
- Status Report - Fall 2027
What's next?
Central Pines will continue work on the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Unfortunately, this work will depend on the availability of funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is currently under review. The City of Durham will continue to be involved in this effort.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
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