What Happened?
Cities worldwide are implementing renewable energy policies to reduce consumption and pollution while improving quality of life and economic sustainability. Many of these municipalities have achieved zero emission status thanks to investments in green technology and energy.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is not a major city in Australia, but has recently joined the ranks of bustling metropolitans such as Sydney and Melbourne in committing to zero emissions policies. Byron Bay has a strategy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero within the next 10 years, while the Byron shire region as a whole plans to become a zero emissions community by 2025, The Guardian reported.
To achieve a zero emissions status, Byron Bay and its neighboring municipalities plan to implement a variety of energy-saving initiatives including:
- Investing in renewable energy sources
- Retrofitting existing buildings
- Creating new public transportation options
- Making electric vehicles a priority
- Adopting sustainable land use practices
- Improving management of waste and water
- Installing rooftop solar panels
In addition, the city has launched a community-owned clean energy generator and retailor in 2014. Byron Bay plans to approach the zero emissions goal by improving all aspects of the community with renewable resources including energy, agriculture and physical infrastructure, The Guardian reported.
Aspen
Officials in Aspen, Colorado, have announced the city will claim consistent 100 percent electrical generation from renewable sources in 2015. Aspen plans to purchase electricity generated on giant wind farms to help the city achieve zero emissions this year, Mountain Town News reported.
Aspen has a Canary Initiative climate change manifesto outlining several goals the city wants to achieve to become more resilient, sustainable and energy efficient. The first goal is for Aspen to adopt a 100 percent renewable energy portfolio by the end of 2015, Mountain Town News reported.
Between 2004 and 2014, Aspen reported a 42 percent decline in the city government’s greenhouse gas pollution. Next, Aspen will implement the energy-saving tactics used in municipal buildings into homes and businesses to reduce consumption and waste, Mountain Town News reported.
What is Green Power?
As more municipalities seek to achieve aggressive energy goals, more attention is paid to the type of energy sources purchased to maintain or enhance social and economic activities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains within the renewable energy sector, there is a subset known as green power. Renewable energy comes from fuel sources that restore themselves over short periods of time and do not diminish – such as the sun, wind, moving water, organic plant and waste material, and the earth’s heat. Some renewable technologies still have a small impact on the environment, though still superior to conventional power. Green power represents renewable energy sources and technologies that provide the highest environmental benefit by eliminating or creating negative emissions. Green power sources produce electricity while producing no emissions.
Why Buy Green?
The EPA has compiled a Guide to Purchasing Green Power to help municipalities and organizations understand their energy options when purchasing electricity. Buying green power not only reduces the carbon footprint of a city, but also:
- Hedges against future electricity price increases
- Serves as a brand differentiator
- Generates customer, investor and stakeholder loyalty
- Creates positive public image
- Demonstrates civic leadership
The EPA recommends cities team up with Green Power Partners to identify opportunities for clean energy and develop a community-based approach to implementing the solutions and technologies.
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