Climate Action Plan

Climate Action Plan Overview

A Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a key tool that cities can develop to help decrease a community’s share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to global climate change. In Union City, most GHG emissions come from energy use in buildings and fuel for transportation with water- and waste-related emissions contributing relatively smaller proportions. Union City’s CAP examines each of these sectors, and sets out strategies that require the full commitment and involvement of local residents and businesses to help the community move towards a lower carbon future. A CAP does much more than reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Many of the strategies included within this document will also help make Union City a more attractive place to live through decreased traffic congestion, better air quality, cheaper energy and water bills, less waste, greener streets, additional local amenities, and more local jobs.

Union City's CAP presents a strategy to achieve the City Council’s goal of reducing GHG emissions 20% below 2005 levels by the year 2020.

Climate Action Plan PDF

2005 Baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Union City

This report presented the results of Union City’s baseline GHG emissions inventory, which was conducted by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in partnership with Union City.

The purpose of the baseline emissions inventory was to determine the levels of GHG emissions that Union City emitted in its base year, 2005, on a municipal and community-wide level. This information was used to help the city adopt an emissions reduction target and develop the CAP.

CAP Adoption and Implementation

Union City’s CAP was adopted by the City Council in October 2010, although the City has been working on improving environmental sustainability in Union City since 2005. The City has implemented various measures from the CAP and will continue to do so until the GHG emissions reduction is achieved. Learn more about the measures the city has already implemented in the 2011 Climate Action Plan Implementation Update report to the city council.