Belmont’s Climate Progress: Steps Forward and Challenges Ahead

Belmont has made strides in its climate goals over the past eight years. However, recent court rulings, new laws, and uncertain federal funding are pushing the city to think creatively to meet ambitious state targets by 2030.

California’s Senate Bill 32 requires cities to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. While Belmont is not on track to fully meet this goal, it has reduced emissions by 28% from 2005 to 2023, surpassing its 2020 target.

Ryan Gardner, director of climate action and decarbonization at Rincon Consultants, emphasizes the progress made. “A lot of our improvements are due to the shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy,” he said. In fact, emissions from electricity dropped by 95% during this period. Additionally, solid waste emissions saw a 41% decrease.

Transportation is the biggest source of emissions in Belmont. However, emissions from on-road transportation fell by 15%, thanks to more efficient vehicles and the rise in electric and hybrid cars.

In 2017, Belmont implemented a climate action plan that led to several successful initiatives. The city partnered with Peninsula Clean Energy, providing its municipal facilities with 100% renewable electricity. Other efforts, like bike lane improvements and retrofitting buildings with LED lights, contributed to emission reductions.

Still, progress has slowed recently. The city reported minimal reductions from 2021 to 2023. Many jurisdictions in San Mateo County, including Belmont, have introduced all-electric standards for new buildings, known as reach codes. Unfortunately, a Ninth Circuit Court decision last year caused several cities to pause these codes to avoid legal issues. Furthermore, new legislation, Assembly Bill 130, blocks jurisdictions from introducing new reach codes until 2031.

“That’s a challenge for us as we seek to reduce emissions from existing natural gas usage,” Gardner noted. There’s also uncertainty around federal incentives that were previously available, such as those offered by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Despite these challenges, a new building code favoring all-electric construction will take effect next year. Gardner believes that the state will step in to cover funding gaps to help achieve climate goals.

Belmont is now updating its 2017 climate plan, with a tentative adoption by the city council set for fall 2026.

As cities around the U.S. grapple with similar challenges, Belmont’s journey reflects a broader struggle for communities striving to balance growth with sustainability. According to a recent survey by the American Planning Association, 63% of Americans believe that local governments are not doing enough to address climate change.

For a deeper dive into how local efforts can impact state-wide goals, you can refer to the California Air Resources Board for comprehensive data and guidelines on emissions reductions.

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