Setting a GHG Emission Reduction Target

Asher Burns-BurgICF International

Goals

• What is a GHG Emission Reduction Target?

• Why set a target?

• How do you set a target?

What is a GHG Emission Reduction Target?

• The percentage by which your Park plans to reduce its GHG emissions below base year levels, by a future target year.

An example:• “20% reduction in base year 2007 emissions by

the target year 2012”.

• If you Park’s emissions were 10,000 metric tons in 2007, your goal would be to reduce total emissions from your Park to 8,000 metric tons by 2012.

Why set a target?

• A target gives your Action Plan a tangible, specific goal that allows you to measure progress and take credit for results.

• A target helps to prioritize actions

Example Target: Kyoto Protocol (United States)

• Reduce GHG Emissions by 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

• Growing economy Growing energy consumption

• Energy-related carbon emissions are projected to be 34 percent above the 1990 levels by 2010

Example Targets Cities for Climate Protection Campaign:

• 30 Countries

• 650 local governments

• 15% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions

• Reduce GHG to 20% below base year levels in 10-20 years (significant growth in energy consumption).

Executive Order: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation

Management

• Reduce petroleum consumption in fleet vehicles by 2% annually through 2015.

• Increase alternative fuel consumption at least 10% annually.

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the reduction of energy intensity by 3% annually.

Example Targets: California

Reduce GHG emissions to: – 2000 levels by 2010– 1990 levels by 2020– 80% below 1990 levels by 2050

Example Targets: Yosemite National Park

• Reduce non-fire management-related greenhouse gas emissions to 10 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2010 by implementing emission mitigation actions identified by the park.

What should the target be?

• Low enough to be achievable

• High enough to stimulate creativity and innovation

• High enough to really make a difference

Some Things to Consider…

• How will HAVO’s emission profile change? ie will emissions increase?

• Where are emissions coming from?– Transportation - 93%– Energy - 6%– Solid Waste

and Other - 1%

Questions?

Aburns-burg@icfi.com

How is HAVO’s Emission Profile going to change?

YEAR HAVO VISITATION1990 1,096,8161991 1,238,6531992 1,151,6611993 1,143,7411994 1,174,2891995 1,175,0281996 1,231,5571997 1,832,0871998 1,352,3731999 1,502,8552000 1,514,6362001 1,343,2862002 1,110,9982003 991,8752004 1,307,391