The city of Charlotte is updating its plan to cut carbon pollution. The city will host a final public event to review the plan Thursday at the Belmont Regional Center.
On Monday, the city sustainability office presented on how it would like to electrify Charlotte and increase energy efficiency.
Solutions included reducing waste and diverting more materials to recycling centers and composting. Waste is behind only transportation and local businesses for the highest levels of greenhouse gases released in the city.
The updated plan includes a new goal of adding 600 megawatts of renewable energy generation by 2035. Heather Bolick is the city’s sustainable energy infrastructure strategy manager.
“Right now, you’ve probably heard about our Solarize CharMeck Campaign, which will launch later this spring,” said Heather Bolick, the city’s sustainable energy infrastructure strategy manager. “We’re excited about that to really promote rooftop solar on our residential and commercial buildings.”
The city's sustainability office proposed some projects that may cost a lot upfront but save money in the long run. Committee Chair Ed Driggs asked the office to assess the demand for some solutions first.
“What is the extent of adoption of electric vehicles?” Driggs asked. “How many are there actually? And let’s not get too far out in front.”
Burning fossil fuels reduces air quality and warms the planet. The new plan identified extreme heat and severe storms as the main climate threats to Charlotte residents.
