Cross-Sectoral or Other Sector
Community Outreach and Education
The community outreach and education strategies outlined in Ann Arbor's Local Action Plan encourage the development of programs that educate the community about climate change drivers and the impact of personal behavior on GHG emissions. It is important to note that while the direct quantifiable benefits of Community Outreach and Education programs may be small and depend upon voluntary participation, the long-term, unquantifiable benefits can be substantial. Significant research and analysis beyond the scope of this Project is necessary to understand these hidden benefits.
Support of State and Federal Actions
There are some strategies that the City has no authority over, but should publicly support. These measures are typically state and federal programs that will reduce GHG emissions on a larger, geographic scale. At the local level, the City should support the efforts of state and federal decision-makers working to implement these measures. For example, the City could draft a letter to Congressional lawmakers articulating their support for increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) for all passenger cars and light trucks.
Power Generation Sector
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency strategies outlined in Ann Arbor's Local Action Plan encourage sectors to replace older, less efficient technology, with newer, less energy intensive models. Other methods to decrease building energy consumption, as well as programs to effectively switch from carbon-based fuels to non-carbon based renewable sources of energy, are also examined. Programs detailed in this category often employ incentive and volunteer-based methods to promote these changes.
Transportation Sector
Transportation
The transportation strategies outlined in Ann Arbor's Local Action Plan reduce transportation sector GHG emissions in three different ways. First, programs create incentives for individuals to find alternatives to low-occupancy transportation options, which are mainly passenger cars, and light duty trucks (both averaging less than two occupants). By encouraging people to use high-occupancy transportation options (trains, buses, and carpools) the impact of GHG emissions is divided among each occupant by encouraging high-occupancy transportation options (trains, buses, carpools, etc.), the greater the occupancy, the lower the GHG emissions per occupant. The second type of program encourages people to use less carbon intensive fuel sources, or alternatives to conventional fuels that have no direct GHG emissions. Examples of these types of programs include the transition toward NG powered vehicles or encouragement of bicycle use. The third type of program encourages participants to simply consume less fuel. For example, driving a car fewer miles per year or purchasing an HEV will decrease GHG emissions by reducing the amount of gasoline expended. All three strategies result in either a reduction in the number of vehicle miles traveled, or a reduction in the quantity of fuel consumed.
Waste Sector
Solid Waste Management
These measures attempt to address methods to reduce the total amount of landfilled materials each year by increasing Ann Arbor’s waste recovery efforts. Waste recovery efforts include: source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Expanding waste recovery efforts reduces the associated upstream life cycle GHGs emitted through the acquisition of virgin raw materials and manufacturing.