emissions source. In 2015, wastewater treatment made up 73% of waste emissions (and 55% in 2019). Solid waste accounted for the remaining portion of waste-sector emissions (27% of waste sector emissions in 2015 and 2019).
Municipal Actions
Figure 1: Operational Emissions by Sector and Source 2019
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Pierce County As Pierce County does extensive work to help our community transition to a low carbon future, it is important that Pierce County’s organizational operations reflect the same commitment to a healthy, vibrant, sustainable community by taking responsibility for internal greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction while promoting equity in all County practices and policies. In addition to completing a communitywide geographic GHG inventory for 2019, Pierce County also conducted an inventory of County operational GHGs. The major sources of County emissions come from County employee commutes, fleet vehicles and heating County
buildings. The County has the opportunity to lead by example in reducing emissions and meet the same 45% reduction by 2030 target as our community.
Food 6%
Asphalt and Cement 3%
Computer Hardware 1.8%
Electricity 6%
Wastewater 6%
Between 2019 and 2015, County operational GHG emissions increased by 2% despite emission reductions in materials purchased and waste management. To meet Pierce County’s internal emission reduction goal, we will need to make responsible investments in new technology and adopt new behaviors in a work environment that encourages employees to be sustainability leaders and learn together.
Natural Gas 19%
Landfilled Waste 3%
Consumption Based 11% Waste 8%
Ferries 6% Transit Electricity 0.01%
Buildings 26%
Transportation 55%
Diesel 8%
Emissions Trends by Sector: 2015-2019 Employee Commute
Stationary Diesel 0.6%
Transmission and Distribution Losses 0.3%
Fleet Gasoline 14%
and Business Travel increased by 2% between 2015 to 2019. Operational emissions
Fox Island
Gasoline 26%
Between 2015 and 2019, the buildings sector has experienced the greatest increase in emissions (25% increase), followed by transportation at 3%. The largest emissions reductions Key Takeaway: What are the greatest emitters? occurred in the waste sector, where emissions have decreased 17% since 2015. emissions decreased 2015-2019). Figure 2 and • Consumption-based Transportation is the greatestalso emitting sector(15% (55%between of the total in 2019).See Most transportation Figure 3. emissions come from gasoline from fleet vehicles and employee commuting (41% of all
operational emissions). •
Figure by Sector Sector Over Time (MTCO e) The combustion of Buildings are the second largest contributor (26% ofTime the (mtCO2e) total in 2019). Figure 2. 2. Emissions Emissions by Over 2 natural gas is the chief source of emissions within this sector (19% of all operational emissions). Consumption - Based Waste
2019 2015
Transportation
Key Goal: Reduce County municipal operation GHG emissions 45% by 2030 based on 2015 baseline.
Buildings
3
0
2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000
Figure 3: Emissions by Sector Over Time (Percentage)
18
