Fort Lauderdale Net Zero Plan 2025

ROADMAP TO NET ZERO  41

ENERGY

Energy consumption for the built environment in Fort Lauderdale contributes to more than 55% of community emissions. These emissions result primarily from electricity and natural gas consumption in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Two major strategies are needed to reduce and eliminate GHG emissions from energy: (1) improvements to energy efficiency, and (2) electrification and employing renewable energy.

Electricity emissions from residential single and multifamily homes are associated with household activities, including the use of air conditioning, water heating, lighting, refrigeration, cooking, and other appliances. Electricity emissions in the commercial sector come from restaurants, hotels, government facilities, community living facilities, colleges, and religious institutions, among others. Similar to the residential sector, GHG emissions in the commercial sector include the use of electricity for air conditioning, cooking, lighting, appliances, and other uses. Industrial sector activities are activities that produce, process, or assemble goods, agriculture, and building construction and fossil fuel production. Water and wastewater processing electrical emissions are discussed in the Municipal-Focused Strategies section of the Plan. The interim projections for reduced GHG emissions related to community uses of energy are shown in Figure 16 . These percentages represent changes from 2019 baseline GHG emissions and reflect emissions reductions forecasted in the LA scenario and the implementation of the energy-related strategies and actions detailed in this Plan. A significant portion of these emissions will be reduced through external influences (the LA scenario) such as the decarbonization of the electrical grid as well as improved operational and energy efficiency. To ensure Fort Lauderdale is making progress toward its goals of net zero, it is critical to reduce energy usage, electrify where possible to move away from fuel use, and transition to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Appendix B, Detailed Interim Goals , provides more details on emissions reductions from each strategy and action, including projected emissions in metric tons of CO 2 equivalent (MTCO 2 e).

FIGURE 16. PROJECTED CHANGES IN ENERGY-RELATED GHG EMISSIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

FORT LAUDERDALE NET ZERO PLAN