Salem’s Climate Action Plan task force is held its first workshop Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Salem could reach its near-term climate reduction goal of cutting its emissions by 50% in the next 14 years, but a more ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will be a more arduous task and will rely on future technology. That’s according to a presentation to Salem’s Climate Action Task Force Wednesday by Verdis Group, a consulting firm leading the process of creating Salem’s Climate Action Plan.
For Salem to reduce half of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, Oregon would need to meet all of its greenhouse gas reduction targets, Salem’s energy companies would need to meet their commitments to renewable energy and the city would need to implement strategies that would reduce the use of gas cars, increase bus usage and improve energy efficiency in buildings.
“From an optimistic standpoint, there’s a pathway and that’s 14 years down the road and that’s achievable. There is a way to get there. What’s more challenging is 100% by 2050,” said Brian Harmon, a consultant with Verdis Group, during the task force meeting Wednesday.
“You are stuck with a challenge which is more than 50% of your emissions come from transportation and getting rid of those emissions entirely today is not yet feasible. It may be by 2050 but it isn’t today,” he said.
The task force’s next workshop is on April 7.
-Saphara Harrell
