Attachment A - 2020 GHG Exec. Summary

2020 Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Inventory
An Executive Summary
prepared for
May 2022
sustainabilitysolutions.asu.edu
Attachment A

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Acknowledgements
This report is a joint effort by the city of Phoenix:
Nancy Allen, Environmental Programs Administrator
Rosanne Albright, Environmental Programs Coordinator
Dr. Matthew Potzler, Environmental Air Quality and Climate Specialist
And
William Campbell, Portfolio Manager 
Lizzy Bruns, Graduate Student 
And
Dr. Richard Rushforth, Assistant Research Professor, School of Informatics, Computing 
and Cyber Systems
We would like to recognize the financial support from the city of Phoenix’s Office of 
Environmental Programs. In addition, we wish to acknowledge the numerous city staff for 
supplying the Office of Environmental Programs with data to tabulate the 2020 Government 
Operations & Community GHG emissions inventories.
Finally, we would like to thank city of Phoenix employees, residents, and business owners, 
who are on the ground supporting the city’s efforts and who are working toward reducing 
their own greenhouse gas emissions.
Government Operations Findings
In 2020, city of Phoenix government operations emitted 25.2% fewer GHG emissions than the 
2005 baseline level of 716,143 MT CO2e. This is a decrease in annual emissions 
of 180,467 MT CO2e. 
Community-Wide Findings
In 2020, community-wide GHG emissions for the city of Phoenix were 14.0% less than the 2012 
baseline level of 17,622,666 MT CO2e. Community-wide GHG emissions have decreased by 
2,466,616 MT CO2e annually.

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
	 Table of Contents
Background
City of Phoenix
Climate Action Projects
Recommended Actions
Government Operations
Community Emissions

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
	 	 	 	
	 	 	 	 Background
The city of Phoenix set its first climate action goals 14 
years ago in 2008 with the stated goal of reducing 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from city operations 
5% below 2005 levels by 2015. 
In 2012, three years ahead of schedule, Phoenix 
exceeded its goal with a reduction of 7.2%. In response 
to this accelerated reduction and to continue to position 
itself as a national leader, the Phoenix City Council 
adopted a new goal to reduce GHG emissions to 15% 
below 2005 levels by 2015. The completion of the 
Phoenix 2015 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 
Government Operations showed that Phoenix exceeded 
its 15% reduction goal. In 2017, Phoenix updated its 
government operations GHG emissions reduction goal 
to 40% below 2005 levels by 2025.
Phoenix’s 2021 Climate Action Plan set an even more 
ambitious goals for reducing GHG emissions from 
government operations:
Achieve net-zero GHG emissions for municipal 
operations electricity use by 2030 through renewable 
energy projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and utility 
partnerships.
2020 Overall Findings
•	
Phoenix government operations emitted 535,675 MT CO2e, a 25.2% decrease below baseline 2005 levels;
•	
Community GHG emissions were 15,156,347 MT CO2e, a 14.0% decrease below baseline 2012 levels.
City Action Highlights
•	
Phoenix government operations consume 8% less energy compared to 2005 while providing services for 
nearly 300,000 more residents; 
•	
Electricity consumption by traffic signals and streetlights has fallen nearly 50% since 2005;
•	
Biogas capture at the 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant decreased facility emissions by 28,949 MT CO2e.
1
In addition to government operations, Phoenix conducts regular community-scale GHG emissions inventories 
according to the Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG emissions Inventories (GPC). The GPC is a 
worldwide standard for inventorying city-induced GHG emissions and is the standard supported by the Global 
Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Phoenix is a member of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group 
and Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. At the community scale, Phoenix has a stated goal to 
reduce community carbon emissions from buildings, transportation, and waste by 50% by 2030 and to move 
toward becoming a carbon neutral city by 2050.

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Buildings and Facilities
•	
Increasing renewable energy to city operations 
•	
$30 million in building retrofits to increase building efficiency by 20%.
•	
First city to adopt International Energy Conservation Code’s 2018 International Building Code
City Vehicle Fleet
•	
Alternative Fuel Programs: 
•	
City Vehicle Fleet continues to transition liquid natural gas and diesel to less GHG-intensive 
compressed natural gas and biogenic fuels.
•	
Public Works, in partnership with Mr. Bults Inc. (MBI), were the recipients of a United States 
Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to replace heavy 
duty diesel refuse trucks. This project will be implemented using $1,000,000 in DERA grant funding 
combined with $2,194,693 in cost-share funds from Public Works and MBI to replace diesel refuse 
trucks. This project will replace 9 Class 8 diesel refuse trucks, and 1 MBI long haul refuse truck, with 
model year 2019 Class 8 trucks powered by compressed natural gas engines certified to meet the 
California Air Resources Board’s most stringent optional low NOx emission standard.   
•	
Construction of PHX Sky Train, electrically powered, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at an 
estimated cost of $1.5 billion is expected to be completed by 2022 is reducing the need for fleet powered 
by compressed natural gas. 
Heat Ready City
•	
Walkable Urban Code is an urban and transit-oriented zoning code.
•	
Established first-of-its-kind Heat Ready Program that was recognized in the Bloomberg Philanthropies 
Mayors Challenge Champion City program.
•	
Citizen Forester Program 2.0 – The Volunteer Office led the relaunch of the Citizen Forester Program 
certifying 20 Citizen Foresters and planting more than 200 trees this year. The program continues to grow 
with support from an AmeriCorps VISTA member working in the City Manager’s Office and a $50,000 
Phoenix IDA grant to fund community led heat-mitigation projects to support HeatReady Phoenix. 
•	
We’re Cool 2019 – Volunteer Phoenix led the fourth annual We’re Cool campaign, in partnership with 
the Human Services Department and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 
to connect low-income communities to cooling centers, heat safety information and support during the 
summer months with the help of 400 youth volunteers.
•	
Planning and Development revised zoning code to ensure trees are planted and maintained.
•	
Cool Pavement Program to coat streets in a lighter color to reflect light to reduce temperatures locally. 
Solid Waste
•	
Reimagine Phoenix:
•	
Construction of state-of-the-art $15 million compost facility to divert organic waste.
•	
Partnered with Stardust Building Supplies to pursue deconstruction rather than demolition to divert 
materials from the landfill.
•	
36% of solid waste diverted from landfills with goals of 50% by 2030 and of being a zero waste city by 
2050.
2
City of Phoenix
Climate Action Projects

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Sustainable Food Systems
•	
Healthy food system goal adopted into the General Plan, PlanPHX. 
•	
City Council approved the 2025 Phoenix Food Action Plan to promote a healthy,  sustainable, equitable, and 
thriving local food system with healthy food for all.
Transportation Initiatives
•	
Transportation 2050
•	
Added 2.4 million service miles
•	
16.5 miles of light rail have been constructed
•	
44 RAPID buses have been ordered for use in 6 routes
•	
349 transit shelters installed at bus stops that previously had no shade 
•	
20,693 ADA ramps improved/installed through street maintenance
•	
567 solar lighting kits installed on new and existing transit shelters
•	
Installed 32.2 miles of bicycle lanes, upgraded 1 mile of existing bike lane miles to protected bike lanes and 
upgraded 34.5 miles of existing bike lanes to buffered bike lanes
•	
New Bus and Dial-A-Ride Vehicles – Public Transit has ordered 403 new buses and 122 Dial-a-Ride vehicles 
to its fleet to replace aging buses. The department adds new vehicles each year to modernize the fleet, which in 
turn provides the region’s bus passengers with an overall more efficient and dependable bus service, as well as 
vehicles that are more fuel efficient and include the latest clean fuel technology.
•	
eScooter Pilot Program Launch – The Street Transportation Department launched the Downtown Shared 
eScooter Pilot Program to provide a micro-mobility solution for our residents and visitors. 
•	
Parking Protected Bicycle Lanes – The Street Transportation Department installed the City’s first and second 
parking protected bicycle lanes through the Accelerated Pavement Maintenance Program. 
•	
Street Landscape Improvements – 700 trees planted along with increased service levels and irrigation audits for 
street landscaping and irrigation maintenance, which will result in reduced water consumption, save money and 
help make Phoenix streets more walkable. 
•	
Liberty Lane Street Improvements – A 4.5-foot buffer was added to the bike lanes on Liberty Lane, creating 
more space between motor vehicles and bicyclists/pedestrians, resulting in improved safety for all users of the 
roadway. 
•	
The Grand Canalscape, a nearly 12-mile continuous multimodal trail system from Glendale to Tempe, was 
completed with additional expansion planned.
Water
•	
Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan: Phoenix Water Services effectively negotiated in the Arizona 
implementation of the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan to maintain protection of existing priority 
system for Colorado River water in Central Arizona and system conservation in the plan. 
•	
Water Loss Committee: The efforts of the Department’s Water Loss Committee resulted in a reduction of our 
Lost and Unaccounted for Water reported to the Arizona Department of Water Resources of nearly one billion 
gallons year over year by city operations.
•	
Partnered with Ameresco to construct a $25 million facility to treat and sell biogas, which contains renewable 
natural gas, from 91st Wastewater Treatment Plant.
3
City of Phoenix
Climate Action Projects

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
City of Phoenix
Climate Action Projects
Programs planned or commenced since 2020
City Vehicle Fleet
•	
A policy will be developed to work toward procuring lower-GHG emissions vehicles where operationally 
feasible, including electric vehicles.
Heat Ready City
•	
Cool Corridors Program to plant trees citywide to provide shade to high pedestrian traffic areas with the first 
Cool Corridor established in 2022 and a goal of 100 by 2030.
•	
Established the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, the nation’s first municipally office of its kind.
•	
Heat Response Plan developed to help keep people safe in summer. 
Solid Waste
•	
Phoenix is participating in C40 Cities Reinventing Cities Competition that seeks to transform underutilized sites 
through sustainability and community focused projects.
Sustainable Food Systems
•	
2021 – Backyard Garden Program empowers residents to grow healthy food in their own backyards.
•	
2022 – Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program designed to train next generation of growers.
•	
2022 – Agri-Food Technology Innovation Programs will provide grants to advance projects to produce food in a 
manner sustainable in Phoenix.
•	
2022 – Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Program provides grants to Phoenix farms to reduce the climate 
impact of food production and enhance the resiliency of both the farm and local food system in the face of 
various shocks and disruptions.
Transportation Initiatives
•	
2022 – Road Safety Action Plan Vision Zero approved by City Council.
•	
2022 – Active Transportation Plan in development to increase walkability and bikeability.
Water
•	
The 2021 Water Resource Plan demonstrates Phoenix’s robust and diverse water portfolio.
•	
Phoenix encourages residents to adopt a desert lifestyle that has reduced the number of gallons per capita per 
day (GPCD) it uses by nearly 30% over the last twenty years, despite an increase of almost 400,000 additional 
residents.
4

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Government Operations
Significant Reductions
Since 2005, GHG emissions from Phoenix 
government operations have decreased from 
716,143 MT CO2e to 535,675 MT CO2e, a 25.2% 
decrease in emissions. 
The most substantial decrease in GHG emissions 
were associated with electricity consumption, where 
efficiency upgrades and changes to the regional 
energy mix have driven significant decreases. Fleet 
fuels have increased as service miles increased to 
meet T2050 goals. The use of alternative fuels, like 
CNG and biodiesel, decreased emissions (Right).
The 2020 inventory update enables Phoenix to 
City of Phoenix government operations total GHG emissions have decreased 
despite significant population growth  
5
In 2020, Phoenix government 
operations emitted 38.7% fewer 
GHG’s per resident than in 2005.
GHG emissions from Phoenix 
government operations have 
decreased due to multiple factors:
•	
40.6% fewer emissions from 
electricity consumption;
•	
12.9% fewer emissions from 
natural gas combustion;
•	
12.1% fewer emissions 
emissions from landfills and 
wastewater treatment. 
evaluate its progress towards lowering emissions from its operations to reach the goals of 40% reduction by 2025 
and net zero by 2050.

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Government Operations
The Phoenix 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Government Operations identified sources of greenhouse 
gas emissions in city operations by both scope and sector:
•	
Scope 1 GHG emissions are those generated directly by city operations;
•	
Scope 2 GHG emissions are indirect sources of emissions from electricity consumption;
•	
Scope 3 GHG emissions are related to city operations but not owned or controlled by Phoenix.
The sectors—buildings and facilities, city vehicle fleet, water services, solid waste and employee commuting— were 
chosen to make the findings more relevant to Phoenix’s policy making and project management.
What’s the source?
6
Wastewater 
Treatment
Biogas capture at the 
91st Avenue
Wastewater Treatment 
Plant reduced GHG 
emissions 28,949 MT 
CO2e below 2018
levels. 
Employee
Commute
Telecommuting 
programs have 
contributed to a 
decrease in employee 
commuting emissions
by 9,473 MT CO2e
since 2005.
Solid
Waste
The 27th Avenue 
Compost Facility will 
reduce future GHG 
emissions at the
SR-85 Landfill.
Buildings and 
Facilties
GHG emissions from 
Buildings & Facilities 
have fallen 124,837 
MT CO2e due to a 
less carbon intensive 
electricity grid.  
Top Sectors

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
    Community Emissions
The city of Phoenix completed its fourth community greenhouse gas emissions inventory for calendar year 
2020 using the Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emission Inventories (GPC). Calendar year 
2012 is the baseline for Phoenix-wide GHG emissions. A community inventory estimates GHG emissions 
from the entire Phoenix community, not just government operations, for all stationary energy consumption, 
transportation activities and waste generation. The GPC is the international standard for conducting community 
GHG emissions inventories.
Phoenix community GHG emissions between 2012 and 2020
•	
In 2020, community-scale GHG emissions were 15,156,347 MT CO2e, representing a 14.0% decrease below 
the 2012 baseline level of 17,622,666 MT CO2e.
•	
GHG emissions decreased across Phoenix while Phoenix’s population grew 12.1% and the the metro area 
economy grew significantly, indicating that Phoenix can reduce emissions while experiencing economic growth.
•	
The Phoenix per capita GHG emissions rate fell 23.3% from 11.75 MT CO2e to 9.02 MT CO2e between 2012 
and 2020.
•	
For the first time since 2012, transportation-related activities became the largest source of GHG emissions 
across Phoenix, comprising 49.2% of emissions, and will likely increasingly be the dominant source of GHG 
emissions as the regional electricity grid becomes less carbon intensive.
7
Key Findings:

2020 City of Phoenix Greenhouse Gas Emmissions Reductions Summary Report
Prepared by the ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
and the NAU School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
               Actions     
We recommend that the city of Phoenix continue to take bold actions to identify and reduce GHG emissions, to 
update and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation programs, and to take the necessary climate adaptation steps 
to ensure a resilient metropolitan region in a warmer, drier future. The following recommended measures can be 
accomplished in consultation with the City and its departments, under the leadership of the City Council and City 
Manager’s Office.
GHG emissions are not contained by city boundaries. Phoenix should be cognizant of the GHG emissions 
impacts of its purchasing decisions to bolster and increase the impact of sustainable purchasing policies. By 
conducting this consumption-based inventory, the GHG emissions resulting from the production, shipping, use, 
and disposal of items and services purchased by the City can be included in resulting municipal operations 
emissions inventories to gain a better picture of the GHG emissions. This information can then be used to make 
decisions to reduce the financial and environmental costs of city purchasing.
During the 2020 GHG emissions inventory cycle, Phoenix conducted its first GHG emissions inventory 
of Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) and city-wide food consumption. The initial AFOLU 
GHG emissions inventory process identified several shortcomings for tabulating these emissions for a city 
with Phoenix’s climate. It is recommended to invest in efforts to develop new methods for tabulating AFOLU 
GHG emissions for cities in hot deserts, reinforcing Phoenix’s leadership role in understanding and mitigating 
community-scale GHG emissions.
Transparency and accountability are critical in ensuring that emissions reduction efforts remain active. As the City 
continues to develop robust data on its GHG emissions, it should pursue developing an online GHG dashboard 
to be displayed on the City’s Open Data portal to present the results of emissions inventories in an easily 
accessible way for city staff, other municipalities and the public.
Develop a plan that will address greenhouse gas emissions and increase the resilience of the greater Phoenix 
metropolitan area through regional coordination under the Maricopa Association of Governments. Regional 
cooperation will lead to increased economic opportunities by leveraging public and private investments that can 
be used to ensure long-term economic growth. The plan will also build public awareness of climate-related risks 
and allow for improved collaboration to seek solutions.
The Local Government Operations Protocol and GPC are internationally-recognized standards for conducting 
city-level GHG inventories. However, these standard protocols may inadequately inventory unique aspects of a 
city and its operations. To address this, we recommend the following actions. First, we recommend conducting a 
GHG inventory of Phoenix-specific systems, like Phoenix’s water system from raw water sources to wastewater 
discharge. Second, we recommend evaluating technologies to increase the spatial and temporal resolution of 
GHG inventories. Finally, we recommend setting up a system for the third-party verification of the government 
operations and community-scale GHG inventories.
1. Conduct a Consumption-Based GHG Emissions Inventory
2. Create a city of Phoenix GHG Emissions Dashboard
3. Innovate Methods for Estimating the GHG Emissions Impact of Land Use
4. Coordinate the Development of a Regional GHG Emissions Inventory and Resiliency Plan
5. Set the Standard for Comprehensive City GHG Emissions Inventorying
8
Recommended Measures