Net Zero Emissions Goal To Be Considered By Falls Church City Council

FALLS CHURCH, VA — After the City of Falls Church met a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a more ambitious goal will be considered.

On Monday, Falls Church City Council will consider revising the city's 2050 greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, mirroring goals adopted by surrounding localities. During the same meeting, City Council will take action on the Community Energy Action Plan, which features strategies and actions to meet goals of reducing 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2050.

City Council had adopted the regional goal from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to reduce 15 emissions of greenhouse gases by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050 in 2017. A regional goal of reducing emissions 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 was adopted in 2020.

In 2020, the city surpassed the 2020 goal by reducing emissions by 22 percent between 2005 and 2020 despite an estimated 35 percent population growth. According to the city, a cleaner electric grid and other efficient strategies like decreased vehicle miles traveled per person, decreased commercial use of natural gas and decreased energy use per household.

In October, members of City Council and other city boards and commissions suggested the net zero emissions goal by 2050 due to concerns about climate change. The net zero by 2050 goal is one being pursued internationally through the Paris Agreement to try to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Neighboring Fairfax and Arlington County, as well as the U.S. have adopted a net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050.

If the Community Energy Action Plan and the Government Energy Action is approved, the recommended strategies will be depends on funding by City Council through the annual budget process.