|
Arizona is among many states to recognize not only the long-term costs of failing to mitigate and adapt to climate change, but also the economic opportunities to be gained by taking early and aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which influence climate change. One of the first steps undertaken by the State of Arizona was to complete in 2005 a GHG emissions inventory and forecast. Among the most important findings:
- Arizona had the fastest GHG emissions rate of growth in the U.S. - an increase of nearly 56% (from 59 MMT to 93 MMT) - between 1990 and 2005
- Transportation and Energy Supply (i.e., on-road vehicles and power plants) are responsible for nearly 80% of Arizona's total GHG emissions
- If left unabated, Arizona's projected GHG emissions would increase to roughly 148% over 1990 levels by 2020 (to 147 MMT) and 200% by 2040 (to 179 MMT)
Given that transportation and energy supply account for nearly four-fifths of the state's total GHG inventory, Arizona has focused its carbon-reduction efforts on these two sectors, while also continuing to implement relatively inexpensive "low hanging fruit" measures - things that simply make sense and which we ought to be doing anyway - such as emphasizing renewable energy, energy conservation, increased energy efficiency and use of lower-carbon emitting fuels.
The activities underway in Arizona to reduce GHG emissions and curb climate change impacts have crossed multiple economic sectors and required leadership and involvement in the private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations, as well as all levels of government. The following are highlights of some of the initiatives undertaken in Arizona since 2005:
Climate Action
Energy Sector
Transportation
Biofuels
Building Sector
Forests and Agriculture
Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Utility Rebate Program
Appliance Standards
| 
