Greenhouse Gas Inventory

In July 2020, the city commission passed a climate emergency resolution based on the long supported scientific consensus that the climate is changing and that greenhouse gas emissions exacerbate the global temperature increase and put the health and vitality of our city, region, state, nation, and planet at risk. 

The commission also tasked city staff with creating the first city-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory.  The inventory measures 2018's emissions for both municipal operations and the community.  It was completed in September 2020 by city staff, members of the Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board, and resident volunteers. 

The 2018 inventory results provide important data that will be referenced as we move forward developing the city-wide sustainability  climate action plan. (Please click romi.gov/sustainability to see how you can participate as a stakeholder.)

2018 Community-wide GHG emissions

2018 GHG city wide chart

2018 Municipal Operations- GHG emissions

2018 GHG muni operations chart1

Municipal operations GHG emissions portion

2018 GHG muni operations chart2

Executive Summary:

•Commercial electricity is the highest single emitting sector at 24.9%

•Residential Energy (electricity and natural gas) accounts for 32.9% and is the highest category

•Commercial Energy (electricity and natural gas) accounts for 29.9%

•Transportation (gasoline and diesel) and mobility (SMART buses) account for 25.1%

•Mitigation strategies must focus on highest emitting sector(s)

•Municipal climate actions can only affect so much change

•Majority of reduction opportunities and responsibilities fall on us as the community (commercial and residential sectors)

•Substantial opportunities for residential energy waste reduction and cost savings

•Substantial opportunities for commercial electricity waste reduction and cost savings