Fort Lauderdale Net Zero Plan 2025

iv

Municipal Emissions: GHG emissions produced by government operations, including municipal buildings, vehicle fleets, and infrastructure. Net Zero Emissions: Achieving a balance between the amount of GHG emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O): A GHG emitted during agricultural, land use, and industrial activities; combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; and during treatment of wastewater. Paris Agreement: Adopted on December 12, 2015, by the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, its objective is to maintain the increase in global temperatures well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while making efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. Permeable Pavements: Pavement systems that allow water to pass through, reducing runoff and improving groundwater recharge. Quantitative Modeling: The use of mathematical models to estimate the impacts of different strategies on GHG emissions. Rain Bomb: An intense and sudden downpour of rain that can cause severe localized flooding. Renewable Energy: Energy from sources that are naturally replenishing, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Certificates that represent the environmental benefits of generating one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity from a renewable energy source. Resilience Plan: A strategy to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change. Return on Investment (ROI): A measure of the profitability of an investment, calculated as the ratio of the net benefits to the costs over a given time period. Science-Based Targets: Climate goals in line with the latest climate science that represent a community’s fair share of the ambition necessary to meet the Paris Agreement commitment to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (ICLEI). Scope 1 Emissions: Direct GHG emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organization. Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect GHG emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam. Scope 3 Emissions: All other indirect GHG emissions that occur in the value chain of an organization, such as waste and employee commutes. Sea Level Rise: The increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to the effects of climate change. Smart Growth: An urban planning approach focusing on sustainable development, reducing sprawl, and promoting walkable, bicycle-friendly neighborhoods. Social Equity Impacts: The effects of policies or actions on different social groups, particularly those that are disadvantaged or marginalized. Stakeholder Engagement: The process of involving individuals, groups, or organizations that may be affected by or have an interest in a project or decision.

FORT LAUDERDALE NET ZERO PLAN