Hayward presents 2023 greenhouse‑gas inventory; staff says city remains below 2005 baseline but 2030 target will be challenging

Hayward City staff presented a communitywide greenhouse‑gas (GHG) emissions inventory for calendar year 2023 at the March 18 meeting, reporting an estimated 35% emissions reduction from a 2005 baseline and highlighting sector trends that staff and council said will inform the city’s climate actions.

Eric Pearson, environmental services manager, told the council the inventory includes Hayward Executive Airport emissions for the first time. “We found that in 2023 approximately 4,779 metric tons of emissions came from the airport,” Pearson said, a figure staff said represents roughly 0.8% of communitywide emissions and about 1.3% of total transportation emissions.

The inventory’s headline results and context

- 35% reduction in community emissions in 2023 relative to the 2005 baseline; the city met its 2020 and 2025 interim goals (staff said the 2020 drop was strongly influenced by pandemic‑era changes in travel). (Eric Pearson) - Electricity emissions have fallen substantially since 2005; staff credited community energy provider changes and grid decarbonization. Pearson reported that in 2023 the Bright Choice product was “88.9% carbon free” and noted PG&E’s 2023 supply figures. - Transportation emissions fell 32% since 2005; vehicle miles traveled decreased during the pandemic and have not returned to pre‑pandemic levels, and an increase in electric vehicles also reduced per‑mile emissions. - Off‑road emissions (construction equipment and landscaping tools) rose over the long term and were the lone sector to increase in the most recent years; staff noted the 2022 inventory addition of lawn‑and‑garden equipment as part of that trend. - Water and wastewater and solid‑waste sectors also showed declines since 2005, with per‑capita residential water use falling from about 69 to 45 gallons per day, staff said.

What staff recommended and next steps

Pearson told the council the inventory should be treated as an estimate and noted typical methodological limits (it does not capture embedded emissions for purchased goods). Staff recommended the council review the results, accept public comment and use the inventory to guide implementation of measures in the recently adopted Climate Action Plan. Director Alex Amiri and Pearson identified reducing natural‑gas use in existing buildings, accelerating building electrification and continuing transportation‑demand strategies as high‑priority work to close the gap to the 2030 target.

Council and public questions focused on where the largest reductions must occur and how the city can accelerate change. Pearson highlighted anticipated regulatory changes (regional rules phasing in electrification of gas appliances) and the need for programs that help residents and businesses convert away from natural‑gas heating and water heating.

Speakers

- Eric Pearson, Environmental Services Manager, Hayward City (presentation) - Alex Amiri, Director of Public Works (introductory remarks)

Actions

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Receive and review 2023 greenhouse gas emissions inventory; accept public comment","mover":"staff presentation","second":"n/a","vote_record":[],"outcome":"no_action","notes":"Inventory accepted for review; staff to use results to prioritize Climate Action Plan implementation steps and report back as programs are developed."}

Ending: Staff noted that while Hayward has achieved reductions relative to 2005, reaching the city’s 2030 goal of a 55% reduction will require accelerated building electrification, transportation changes and continued reductions in off‑road emissions.

Provenance and evidence

The inventory presentation and discussion took place in the council chamber and was presented by Environmental Services Manager Eric Pearson; staff explicitly added airport emissions following a council request earlier in the process. The council did not take final action on the inventory at the March 18 meeting.