The Austin Climate Equity Plan has established the goal of equitably achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout the community by 2040, meaning that the Austin community would reduce our use of fossil fuels to nearly zero. We believe that this goal is possible and we know that it is necessary to preserve a habitable climate. The Austin Climate Equity Plan was created with the input of nearly 200 community members, with an intentional focus on engaging racially and economically diverse residents about the challenges, barriers and opportunities faced by historically excluded groups. Its scope includes all projects and programs that affect the quality of life of the citizens of Austin.
In this podcast, Amy Stansbury, editor of AEN, discusses the goal set by the Austin City Council to make Austin a carbon-neutral community by 2050. The report includes climate projections for Austin and then outlines how housing density and traffic can help alleviate those impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan was updated last month to include what is now called the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which includes achieving net zero emissions before 2040, while addressing racial equity for all Austinans. The successful implementation of the Climate Equity Plan will require the collective awareness, action and participation of all members of the Austin community. The Climate Vulnerability Index, which is a collaboration between Texas A&M University and the Environmental Defense Fund that shows climate risk by region.
The report also evaluates the city's Climate Equity Plan and presents recommendations for improving it. Foster regional collaboration by creating a Texas Climate Collaboration, which will bring together neighboring counties and counterpart cities across the state to share best climate practices and strategies. Explore what it will take for Austin to truly achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions, delving into the new Austin Community Climate Plan.
