Carbon footprint data helps local authorities lower emissions
Getty Images/Craig Hastings
An online portal hosts emissions data from government sites, such as fire stations, parks and public libraries, enabling the public and city and county officials to analyze the efficacy of current climate change policies.
In Nevada, Washoe County and the city of Reno are using emissions tracking data to monitor energy usage and build a carbon reduction roadmap in a push to meet their climate goals.
The data is collected from participating government sites, such as fire stations, parks and public libraries, and posted on an online portal, enabling the public and city and county officials to analyze the efficacy of current climate change policies. With recommendations from nZero, the carbon management platform the city and county have been working with, Reno and Washoe County have access to data they can use to implement more productive initiatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
For instance, last year Washoe County discovered its fleet vehicles, wastewater and detention facilities left the biggest carbon footprints, according to data collected from more than 100 sites. In response to these findings, the county deployed fleet vehicle automation and on-site solar installations at certain locations, nZero officials said.
Similarly, Reno found its vehicle fleets, streetlights and its local police department produced the most carbon emissions. In a cost-benefit analysis, the city determined it could reduce streetlight emissions by 62% if it switched to LED lights. Other eco-friendly strategies included increasing on-site solar installations to promote renewable energy and charging electric vehicles during the daytime rather than night in summer.
Since 2021, nZero has provided 24/7, real-time emissions data to city and county leaders. The company will expand its partnership with Reno and Washoe County to help them target and mitigate emission hotbeds and facilitate energy and cost efficiency.
"Our Climate Action Plan set the goal of reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 28% of 2008 levels by the year 2025. The accuracy of data provided by nZero allows us to position the City ahead of schedule so we reach our target greenhouse gas reduction numbers,” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said. "The investment in our partnership with nZero is helping our climate goals become a reality for generations to come."