Plan to slash climate pollution comes two weeks after IPCC report gives ‘final warning’ on climate action
LAS VEGAS — Today, Clark County Commissioners unanimously approved and adopted the All-In Community Sustainability and Climate Action Plan outlining actions aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions and building community resilience against the effects of the climate crisis. As home to the majority of Nevada’s population, Clark County plays an important role in helping achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100 percent clean energy goals. The Community Plan’s adoption comes two weeks after an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report declared the earth is on the brink of irrevocable damage from rising greenhouse gas emissions.
With this plan, Clark County further strengthens Nevada’s climate and clean energy leadership and demonstrates robust stakeholder engagement. The Community Plan earned participation from over 6,000 survey responses and 157 organizations, of which the Nevada Conservation League participated. Among the Community Plan’s priority areas include clean and reliable energy, smart buildings and development, and connected and equitable mobility.
The Community Plan establishes a sustainability roadmap, and now, the real work begins. The Nevada Conservation League looks forward to working with the Commission toward implementation.
Nevada Conservation League Political and Organizing Director Andrew Sierra offered the following remarks during the Clark County Commission meeting:
We are grateful that Clark County shares our commitment to a clean, healthy environment and has undertaken the process of developing a comprehensive sustainability plan with the help of community members, non-profits, businesses, municipalities, and more.
Clark County is home to a majority of our state’s population, and thus, plays an important role in helping our state achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and reach 100 percent clean energy by the year 2050. To reach these goals, we must act with urgency and boldness.
Buildings and the transportation sector are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Clark County, contributing 41.5% and approximately 37% of greenhouse gas emissions respectively. Many of these emissions come from the burning of methane (or “natural”) gas for heating, cooking, and other purposes.
Shifting to an all-electric future will make our homes, buildings, vehicles, and buses safer and more energy efficient, while improving air quality and community health.
But at the end of the day, we must recognize that the burden of pollution falls disproportionately on low-income communities and communities of color, and often suffer from higher rates of asthma and other illnesses, contaminated water, and other climate-related effects. Climate justice must be incorporated into the All-In Clark County process at every level and in every category.
The All-In Community Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is a step in the right direction. We look forward to working with you to ensure its implementation as intended and hope we can take further action toward a more sustainable and livable future.
Andrew Sierra provides public comment at Clark County Commission meeting
A video recording of the meeting can be found here.
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