Data Tables
Why is this important?
Planning and acting to reduce or offset greenhouse gases will help zero out the net amount of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases the region emits into the atmosphere.
Key Observations
In 2021, the built environment accounted for 54% of the Thurston region's greenhouse gas emissions; transportation accounted for 36%. Emissions have dropped 4.1% from 2010 to 2021, but the region is not on track to meet the 2030 or 2050 emissions reduction targets.
In order to meet the 2035 VMT target, the Thurston region will need to drop back to the per capita VMT seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. From 2020 to 2021, per capita VMT increased by 7%.
The Sustainable Thurston targets for greenhouse gas emissions were updated in February 2021 to be consistent with the regional climate action plan, which consists of a Climate Adaptation Plan and a Climate Mitigation Plan. Taking actions identified in the Climate Mitigation Plan and meeting land use and vehicle miles traveled targets will move the region in the right direction.