Inventory shows how Seattle is reducing GHG emissions

• Buildings (41 per cent of core emissions): 14 per cent decrease in GHG emissions. Residential building emissions decreased 24 per cent, and commercial emissions declined 18 per cent, largely as a result of a spike in fossil gas consumption in 2022. Milder weather partially contributed to lower energy use in 2024, with about six per cent fewer heating degree days and 17 per cent fewer cooling degree days. Fossil gas continues to produce most building emissions, despite electricity supplying more than half of total building energy use.
• Waste (three per cent of core emissions): seven per cent increase in GHG emissions. The increase was driven primarily by higher amounts of commercial waste, as well as changes in the types of materials discarded. Residential and self-haul waste emissions remained comparatively stable.

Total core emissions decreased as Seattle continued to grow. At the same time, Seattle, like many cities, is not on track to meet its climate goals. According to OSE, the City needs to move nine times faster to meet its goal of reducing emissions 58 per cent below 2008 levels by 2030.

OSE is leading the development of Seattle’s Climate Action plan update, a five-year plan for the City to accelerate emissions reduction and prepare for climate impacts. The 2013 Climate Action Plan Progress report assesses the City’s progress in implementing the 2013 plan.

“Seattle will continue to work with our local, regional, and state partners to speed up climate solutions that strengthen our city while attracting businesses and keeping our communities healthy”

“Climate change impacts all of us. We each have an important role to play in protecting the health of our communities and our planet,” said Lylianna Allala, director, OSE. “We’re collaborating with hundreds of partners with diverse expertise and lived experiences to develop bold strategies together. At the same time, we’re continuing to invest in clean‑energy careers, climate upgrades for community-serving buildings, and community-led projects to ensure Seattle is making progress responsibly.”

Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard (Beps) is projected to cut emissions roughly 12 per cent by 2050 through a single policy and will have its initial reporting year in 2027 ahead of the first emissions target in 2031.

Clean Heat programme

Data for Seattle’s Beps and residential Clean Heat programme are not yet reflected in this inventory but are projected to reduce emissions from the buildings sector a combined 35 per cent by 2050. OSE and Capital departments are also making progress toward cutting emissions from all City-owned buildings 2042.

The proposed 2026 Library Levy includes $34m for heating and cooling upgrades. Energy and emissions use in City buildings can be tracked through the Municipal Building Decarbonisation Dashboard or OSE Climate Planning & Data web page.