Citywide Actions

In 2004 San Francisco became one of the first American cities to take political action against climate change. The city published one of the first local-level climate action plans in 2005 and is now pursuing emissions reductions through the promotion of renewable energy, alternative fuels, walking, biking, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. As of 2010 San Francisco had achieved citywide emission reductions of 14.5% from 1990 levels.

San Francisco Department of the Environment works with experts to develop effective strategies to reduce emissions. Consistent with the scientific community’s recommendations to reduce emissions by 80% to stabilize our climate system, San Francisco has adopted ambitious reductions in emissions:

• 20% reduction below 1990 levels for 2012
• 25% reduction below 1990 levels by 2017
• 40% reduction below 1990 levels by 2025
• 80% reduction below 1990 levels by 2050

Achieving these reductions requires us to change our energy sources, our transportation choices and make other healthy choices in our daily lives.