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Why CO2?

Sustainable Silicon Valley (SSV) chose CO2 emissions as a benchmark because it encompasses both energy use and its environmental consequences in a single measure. It reflects improvement in energy efficiency and transitions from more to less polluting fuels. CO2 is the largest contributor to human-generated greenhouse gases.

Recognizing the importance of the climate change issue and the area's drive to remain competitive in a location with high energy costs, SSV organized a regional voluntary initiative that has a visionary target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% below the region's 1990 levels by the year 2010. Partners in SSV choose their own baseline year and a CO2 percentage reduction goal to reach by 2010. Each pledging partner also chooses how to meet this target, whether by equipment efficiency improvements (e.g. new equipment), conserving energy (e.g. behavioral changes), increasing the use of renewable energy sources (e.g. photovoltaic systems), purchasing green power and/or promoting alternative commute options and supporting the purchase of low emission vehicles.

Most human-caused CO2 results from the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel and natural gas. In addition to burning fossil fuels directly in cars and appliances like home heating systems, people create CO2 emissions by using electricity, most of which in the United States is generated by burning fossil fuels. SSV pledging partners address this issue though increased energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources.  Pledging organizations have enjoyed impressive cost savings through their participation in SSV.

The climate change resulting from the accumulation of human-generated greenhouse gases like CO2 is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and will affect all of us on many levels.

As reported in the SSV CO2 Report 2005, the total CO2 emissions reduced by SSV pledging partners is 743,522,351 pounds. This is equivalent to:

• Removing 233,530 homes from the electricity grid for one year, or
  
• Taking 73,000 cars off the road for one year.

In 2000, 15,700,000 tons of CO2 emissions occurred in Silicon Valley (Source: SVEP Environmental Index report.)

SSV's target for 2010 is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% based on 1990 levels, to 10,740,000 tons for the year. CO2 Reporting Protocol, page 2 (PDF) 

Burning gasoline emits an average of 19.63 lbs CO2 per gallon (EPA Workbook 1995).
One pound of carbon dioxide (CO2) takes up a lot of space: the volume of one pound of CO2 at sea level is enough to fill 231 one liter bottles or about 120 party balloons. If your car blew up balloons as you drove down the road, you would fill more than 1 million balloons by the end of the year.

The average vehicle emits 9,171 lbs CO2 per year:

(11,400 miles/year ÷ 24.4 miles per gallon x 19.63 lbs CO2 per gallon =
9,171 lbs CO2 per vehicle (U.S. Energy Information Administration) )

The targeted reduction in CO2 emissions in Silicon Valley between 2000 and 2010 is the equivalent of removing 1.1 million cars from the roads:

(4,960,000 tons of CO2 emissions reduced x 2000 lbs per ton ÷ 9171 lbs per vehicle = 1,081,670 vehicles)

How does energy efficiency relate to the SSV's CO2 priority?

Renewable and other energy use, energy efficiency, and the resulting CO2 emissions, were chosen by the group as a key action opportunity, because:

• Many Silicon Valley organizations had demonstrated significant energy savings, in part from the recent energy crisis, resulting in cost savings and environmental performance improvements.
  
• Other regions and organizations (Sonoma County, the City of Toronto, various Silicon Valley businesses) had already ‘signed up' to specific CO2 emissions reductions goals. The goal selected by the group was consistent with other existing regional emissions reduction goals and represents a stretch goal for the region.
  
• Reducing energy intensity (energy used per unit output) across the commercial, residential and transportation sectors was seen as having multiple benefits, including (but not limited to): opportunities for cost savings, success through broad participation and collaboration, reduction of the environmental impact of the region, and the demonstration of a leadership role on an issue of growing policy and economic significance.
  

What impact do greenhouse gases have on climate in California and Silicon Valley?

Greenhouse gases trap the sun's heat in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise over time and the climate to change. Climate change affects public health through increased smog and associated respiratory ailments. Environmental impacts include changes in water supply (due to a decline in snowpack levels or earlier spring runoff), coastal damage (due to rising sea levels), and changes in vegetation and crops due to growing season and precipitation changes. It is predicted that these effects could strike a severe blow to the health and economic well-being of California.

What can organizations do to reduce CO2 emissions?
In addition to signing on to SSV's CO2 Emissions Reduction Protocol, organizations can take the following actions:

For buildings:

• When replacing roofs, install "cool" roofs
• Landscape to shade sunny sides of buildings
• Install solar electric systems where cost-effective
• Upgrade lights by replacing halogen and incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps
• Install energy-efficient chillers and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) fan motors
• Use motion or activity sensors or to turn off noncritical devices and lights when not in use.
• Introduce "spot cooling," which directs cooling to specific areas rather than an entire floor or building.
• Encourage employees to turn off computers, monitors, and other devices whenever possible.
• Install electric power meters to monitor energy use in individual buildings.

For mobile sources:

• Replace fleet vehicles with more efficient ones, such as gasoline/electric hybrids.
• Encourage carpooling, vanpooling, use of public transit, bike-to-work, and telecommuting.
• Utilize web-cast meetings, conference calls or other "virtual meeting" tools to avoid travel when appropriate.
• Ask delivery vehicles not to idle their engines for long periods of time.
• Encourage suppliers/vendors to use cleaner-fueled or hybrid vehicles.

Who can participate?

All organizations in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Alameda are invited to participate in SSV's CO2 Emissions Reduction Program. This includes all types of businesses, governmental, educational, and non-governmental organizations of any size.

Cal/EPA

Flex Your Power

Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG)

Silicon Valley Environmental Partnership (SVEP)

Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Performance

United National Environmental Programme Best Practices Network