Greenhouse Gas Emissions

- Our region is economically competitive
Strategic Priorities
  • 1.3 Deploy sustainability practices to support our competitive advantage
    - Our region is economically competitive
About this measure

This measure shows the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e or carbon dioxide equivalents) from four main sectors: energy, transportation, waste, and industrial processes (large emitters) within the County geographic footprint and the change in greenhouse gas emissions annually. Data for Cuyahoga County are from the County’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, completed in partnership with the Brendle Group in 2018. Data for identified peer communities are from each city’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory, with State of Ohio and United States data provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. These peer communities are leading the movement for local governments to track emissions and mitigate climate change, allowing for data comparison on a county-by-county basis. Cuyahoga County emissions are high among identified peer communities due to the lack of clean energy sources in the region, development patterns that support increased travel by vehicle, and limited progress on policy adoption that would support large-scale renewable energy generation.
Why is this important?

Greenhouse gas emissions are a key environmental indicator used by nations across the world. Many state and local governments use this metric to support and track sustainability initiatives related to energy, transportation, and waste. The County’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory is a key component in the development of the Cuyahoga County Climate Action Plan and shows the County’s commitment as a part of the international community working to mitigate and adapt to global warming and climate change.
How are we making an impact?

This is a community indicator measure. It is provided to show an understanding of overall community health. The County organization does not directly control the outcome of this measure; however, a number of programs and initiatives the County is undertaking can have an impact. 

Cuyahoga County will update the inventory on an annual basis to track emissions reductions from implementation of the Cuyahoga County Climate Action Plan.
Reporting Agency

Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability 
Additional Resources

Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories

Cuyahoga County Climate Change Action Plan
Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Comparative Analysis
Use regions/landmarks to skip ahead to chart and navigate between data series.

Cuyahoga County Per-Capita Emissions vs. Other Jurisdictions

Long description.

Bar chart shows metric tons of CO2e Emissions per capita of other jurisdictions. Cuyahoga (2017): 18.5 Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (2015): 6.9 King County, WA (2015): 9.9 Philadelphia, PA (2015): 12.3 Miami-Dade County, FL (2005): 12.6 Clark County, NV (2014): 14.7 Detroit, MI (2012): 15.2 Boulder County, CO (2012): 17.4 State of Ohio (2014): 19.75 US (2014): 20 Louisville, KY (2106): 20.9

Structure.

Chart type: column chart.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying GHG Emissions (MTCO2e) Millions.

Chart graphic.

Cuyahoga County Per-Capita Emissions vs. Other JurisdictionsCreated with Highcharts 5.0.12Cuyahoga County Per-Capita Emissions vs. Other JurisdictionsCuyahoga 18.50Cuyahoga 18.50GreaterTorontoHamilton Area 6.90GreaterTorontoHamilton Area 6.90KingCounty,WA 9.90KingCounty,WA 9.90Phila-delphia,PA 12.30Phila-delphia,PA 12.30Miami-DadeCounty, FL 12.60Miami-DadeCounty, FL 12.60ClackCountyNV 14.70ClackCountyNV 14.70Detroit,MI 15.20Detroit,MI 15.20BoulderCounty,CO 17.40BoulderCounty,CO 17.40Ohio 19.75Ohio 19.75US 20.00US 20.00Louisville,KY 20.90Louisville,KY 20.90Chart context menu2017
Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Historical Performance
Use regions/landmarks to skip ahead to chart and navigate between data series.

Cuyahoga County Greenhouse Gas Emissions (By Year)

Long description.

Bar chart shows Greenhouse Gas Emissions (MTCO2e) in Cuyahoga County by emission type and year. And a line chart showing per capita emissions. See Data Table for details

Structure.

Chart type: Combination chart.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 2 Y axes displaying GHG Emissions (MTCO2e) Millions and Per Capita Emissions (MTCO2e/person).

Chart graphic.

Cuyahoga County Greenhouse Gas Emissions (By Year)Created with Highcharts 5.0.12Cuyahoga County Greenhouse Gas Emissions (By Year)29.4629.4622.2422.2420.7620.7622.3822.3822.3422.3419.7219.7219.5219.5218.5018.5044444444444444441111111111111111555555556666666616161818151517171717141413131212Emission per capitaIPPUWasteTransportationStationary EnergyChart context menu20102011201220132014201520162017
Data Source

Cuyahoga County: Cuyahoga County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

Comparative Analysis: Environmental Protection Agency & Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories
Measure Data
Period Status Actual Stationary Energy Transportation Waste IPPU Emission per capita Percent Change
2016 Community Indicator 24 13 6 1 4 19.52 -4.00%
2017 Community Indicator 23 12 6 1 4 18.50 -4.17%
2018 Community Indicator
2019 Not Defined