- Achieving energy carbon neutrality will be neither easy nor inexpensive
- Requires significant and sustained efforts, including deep building retrofits, increased reliance on renewable energy, and behavior change
- Requires supportive federal and state laws, policies, and actions
- Requires financial commitments from the Board, departments, and agencies
Fairfax County, Va.
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2021 reporting, Fairfax County, Va. disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 170.0K MT CO2e (FY2018). Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
170.0K MT CO2e (FY2018)
2021
Energy Use
3.0B kBtu (FY2018)
2021
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Decreased community-wide GHG emissions by 13 percent between 2005 and 2018
- Decreased per capita emissions by 24 percent between 2005 and 2018 despite a 15 percent population growth
- Landfill gas program capturing methane for electricity generation
- Water-reuse program using treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial purposes
- Circular economy glass recycling initiative collecting and reusing over 4 million pounds of glass by 2020
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Reduce emissions 50% by 2030 (compared to FY 2018 baseline)
- Decrease energy use 25% by 2030 (compared to FY 2018 baseline)
- Reduce water usage 20% for all new construction or major renovations
- Produce 25% of county electricity from renewable energy generation by 2030 (using FY 2018 energy use as the baseline)
- Develop a plan to use 100% non-carbon emitting fuels for county fleet vehicles by 2030
📅 Medium-term
- Be energy carbon neutral by 2040 (compared to FY 2018 baseline)
- Decrease energy use 50% by 2040 (compared to FY 2018 baseline)
- Produce 50% of county electricity from renewable energy generation by 2040 (using FY 2018 energy use as the baseline)
- County buses and fleet vehicles will be electric or a non-carbon emitting alternative by 2035
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ReductionsEnergy Use and EfficiencyWater Use and EfficiencyGreen BuildingsRenewablesFleet ElectrificationGoods and ServicesWaste Management and RecyclingAwareness and EngagementUtility Cost ManagementReporting and Collaboration