A RESOLUTION REVISING A PLEDGE TO REDUCE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM TOWN MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS (2006-09-27/R-8)

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill passed a resolution declaring the Town’s intent to participate in the Community Carbon Reduction Program; and

WHEREAS, the Town has partnered with the Carolina Environmental Institute at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in development of the Chapel Hill Community Carbon Reduction Program; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill is a member of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and a participant in the organization’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill is engaged in the development of an Orange County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Strategy; and

WHEREAS, the pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions resulting from Town municipal operations is intended to encourage leaders in other, non-municipal sectors of Town to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has adopted a preliminary goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from Town municipal operations by 60 percent by the year 2050; and

WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has also adopted a pledge to reduce its carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050 on a per capita basis; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from Town municipal operations on a per capita basis by 5 percent by 2010, 10 percent by 2015, 20 percent by 2030, 30 percent by 2040; 45 percent by 2045, and 60 percent by 2050.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Manager is directed to assess the impact of various aspects of Town operations on carbon dioxide emissions production and is authorized to develop programs to monitor and reduce carbon dioxide emissions attributed to Town municipal operations. 

This the 27^th day of September, 2006.