Dubuque is committing to a 100-percent reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The city council voted to adopt the goal at a meeting last night (Monday). Mayor Brad Cavanagh (KAV-uh-nah) says as climate politics shift, the city can still make progress.
The mayor says grants and philanthropic partnerships have advanced the city’s climate goals. In 2013, Dubuque set out to cut emissions 50-percent from its 2003 levels before 2030, and has achieved a 39 percent reduction so far. The goals are non-binding, voluntary targets. City council member David Resnick says as climate change accelerates globally, Dubuque must maintain its science-based benchmarks.
The target is based on a methodology from the World Wildlife Fund, and it comes as the Trump administration is repealing emissions limits on coal and gas power plants.
