Green House Gas Emissions

GHG Emissions for all King County Residents and Businesses

About this indicator: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane are the primary cause of human induced climate change. The GHG emissions Atmosphere Indicator focuses on measuring progress towards reducing all types of GHG emissions from all activities within King County's geographic area. For detailed information about how King County Government is reducing emissions associated with government operations, see the KingStat Climate Protection Performance Measure.

Drivers: In King County, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are primarily caused by fossil fuel use (gasoline and diesel) for transportation and to a lesser but significant extent to heat our buildings (natural gas and heating oil). Combusting fossil fuel (e.g. coal) to produce electricity is also a source of GHG emissions, although in King County, because of the prevalence of hydropower, this is less of a source than in many other regions. Other important sources include methane emissions from landfills, wastewater treatment, and livestock.

Status: As of 2005, the King County region (all residents and businesses) produced approximately 22 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents annually. This is about one quarter of Washington State's emissions and roughly 0.3% of the United States' emissions. Energy and climate mitigation efforts have slowed growth in GHG emissions, but in general they continue at unprecedented levels.

However, there are important reasons for optimism. For example, the City of Seattle (which is responsible for roughly 30% of King County's overall emissions) reported emissions in 2005 to be 8% below 1990 levels. They attribute this reduction to several factors, such as offsetting the emissions generated by Seattle City Light's electricity production through innovative emissions reduction projects. They also report that conservation efforts, in conjunction with many residential and commercial users switching from heating oil to lower carbon intensity natural gas, contributed to this progress.

Despite these successes, transportation related GHG emissions in King County continue to rise; this trend, evident in several reports, illustrates the significant challenge that King County is facing to reduce its emissions. Additionally, total energy usage in King County, as reported by Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light, has increased over the last several years.

2008 King County Comprehensive Plan

• Collaborate with other local governments, businesses, and residents in the region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the region to 80 percent below 2007 levels by 2050
• Reduce all King County government greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below 2000 levels by 2010

Washington Law, as described by ESSB 2815, effective 6/12/2008

• By 2020, reduce overall emissions of GHGs in the state to 1990 levels
• By 2035, reduce emissions to 25% below 1990 levels
• By 2050, reduce emissions to 50% below 1990 levels

Existing response: The King County Executive's Office developed the 2007 King County Climate Plan which addresses both community (regional) and corporate (organizational) GHG emissions. The actions to reduce climate pollution are aimed at using the county's four levers of change: land use, transportation, environmental management and renewable energy. The 2008 Annual Climate Report, a concise seven page summary published in February 2009, summarizes key 2008 efforts and 2009 strategies to mitigate and sequester greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for expected climate impacts. Download a PDF version of the report.