The AQMD's Climate Protection Program
Program Development
On October 27, 2005, the AQMD Board of Directors authorized staff to develop an AQMD Climate Protection Program that would include outreach and education, data collection and analysis, and provide support and leadership for local, state, and national efforts to reduce GHG emissions. The AQMD Board of Directors adopted the Climate Change Protection Program on March 23, 2006. The Program addresses climate change within the context of the District’s air quality mission.
Program Enhancement
On August 28, 2008, the AQMD Board of Directors authorized the District Air Pollution Control Officer to direct staff to begin program development on several enhancements to the District’s Climate Protection Program. Those enhancements include: 1) the creation of a GHG emissions “bank,” 2) the creation of a program which would facilitate GHG mitigation for CEQA purposes, 3) an enhanced reporting system 4) assurances that climate protection measures do not cause increases in criteria pollutants.
California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) and The Registry
The AQMD joined the CCAR in March of 2006 and has now joined the Registry. The Registry consists of organizations that are voluntarily taking actions to reduce greenhouse gases they emit. Among the required actions are annually tracking, reporting and certifying their own GHG emissions. The District has completed its own emissions inventory for 2005, 2006 and 2007. To date, the emissions for 2005 and 2006 have been verified.
Greenergy® member
The AQMD subscribes to this Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District program which matches electricity use with renewable electricity sources.
Clean Vehicles
Most of the AQMD's vehicles are hybrids. Employees regularly use these vehicles to conduct air quality inspections at the sites we regulate. We even have an employee who walks to inspection sites whenever possible.
Alternate Transportation Policies
The AQMD provides incentives to employees to commute using public transit, car or van pools, and bicycles or by walking. Over 60% of our employees regularly use one of these modes instead of driving alone.
Building Retrofits
The AQMD is studying ways in which its physical plant can be modified in order to achieve greater energy efficiency. We have begun to implement some of the identified methods.
