San Antonio is revisiting its 2019 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which aimed to make the city carbon-neutral by 2050. The plan is up for its first formal review since its adoption, and city leaders are acknowledging the challenges in achieving this goal.
Challenges and Adjustments
The city’s emissions have been declining, but not at a rate that would meet the plan’s original targets. Experts say that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is no longer considered a reasonable goal. The city is now looking to update its plan, taking into account the current political and regulatory environment.
The 2021 state law restricting municipalities from mandating or incentivizing the use of one fuel source over another has limited the city’s options. Additionally, the 2023 preemption law has stopped Texas cities from implementing certain climate initiatives that have been successful in other parts of the country.
City leaders are considering a more incremental approach, focusing on incentives rather than mandates, and prioritizing urban planning and walkability. The Houston Advanced Research Center is assisting San Antonio in its efforts, including the development of a new online tool to track greenhouse gas inventory.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
