Evanston reports 43% reduction in emissions since 2005; 50% by‑2025 goal met when RECs included

City sustainability staff presented the 2024 community greenhouse gas inventory and the 2025 sustainability action agenda to the City Council on Oct. 27; council accepted the inventory and placed the action agenda on file.

Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer Cara Pratt said the city’s in‑house inventory process blends utility and institutional data with EPA emissions factors and noted that community emissions have fallen substantially since the 2005 baseline. "As of the 2024, we've reduced emissions by 43.3%. If we include the procurement of renewable energy certificates or RECs, we've reduced emissions by 49%," Pratt said. The staff presentation also noted that using 2023 data and counting RECs, the city has met the 50% reduction by 2025 goal.

Pratt and staff observed the composition of emissions has shifted: natural gas (building energy) now accounts for a larger share of remaining emissions than transportation or electricity, and staff recommended program and policy emphasis on building energy and electrification. The council also received a summary of the 2025 action agenda, which lists code updates (stretch code, building performance standards), Sustain Evanston grants, composting and other programmatic items; staff characterized some items as in progress, some paused and others scheduled for 2026.

Why it matters: Inventory results shape policy priorities and grant/grant application decisions; the city’s reliance on RECs to meet the 50% target raises questions staff said are appropriate to debate (cost, direct investments in local emissions reductions). The council voted to accept the inventory and place the action agenda on file; staff will continue implementing the listed items and report progress.

Speakers: Cara Pratt (chief sustainability officer) and staff lead Kirsten Dreyhopal Vega presented the inventory and agenda.