Climate Action Plan: Focus Areas
Focus Area: Cross-Cutting & Municipal (CC)
Goal: Reduce overall community and municipal GHG emissions, integrate climate considerations into City reporting and decision-making, and encourage community members to participate in local climate action.
Targets:
- Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 95% (& net zero emissions) by 2050
- Lead by example and reduce municipal operations emissions 100% (i.e. carbon-neutral) by 2030
Focus Area: Buildings & Energy (BE)
Goal: Reduce GHG emissions from buildings by reducing energy use, electrifying buildings, and transitioning to clean and reliable renewable energy sources.
Targets (by 2030):
- 78% reduction in building GHG emissions
- 35% reduction in building natural gas, propane, and fuel oil consumption
- 22% reduction in community-wide energy use
Focus Area: Transportation (TR)
Goal: Reduce GHG emissions from transportation by transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs),
expanding multimodal transportation options, and improving cycling and pedestrian
networks; decarbonize off-road equipment.
Selected Targets (by 2030):
- 65% of new passenger vehicles sold and 20% of all registered passenger vehicles are EVs
- 20% reduction in overall vehicle miles traveled (passenger + freight)
- 56% reduction in on-road transportation emissions
- 5% reduction in regional air travel fuel use
Focus Area: Consumption & Disposal (CD)
Goal: Reduce community waste and the GHG emissions associated with the consumption and disposal of goods and materials.
Selected Targets (by 2030):
- 70% of all waste diverted from landfills; zero waste of edible food
- 11% reduction in tons of landfilled waste
- 85% diversion of construction & demolition (C&D) waste and other recyclables
Focus Area: Natural Systems (NS)
Goal: Foster climate resilient natural landscape by protecting vital habitats, ecosystems, and conserving water resources.
Selected Targets (by 2030):
- City’s tree replacement ratio for trees lost on public lands is at least 5:1
- 5% increase in tree canopy cover on private land
- 10% of public open space transitions from active restoration to monitoring & maintenance
Focus Area: Community Resilience (CR)
Goal: Ensure that all Mercer Island residents are prepared for current and future climate impacts.
Targets (by 2030):
- 10% increase in participation in public programs devoted to climate resilience
- 100% of residents served by emergency response programs and departments
