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Climate Action Plan Update
The City is currently updating its Climate Action Plan (CAP) for this decade of climate action. The City's new carbon neutrality goal forms the basis of the CAP update, or "CAP 2.0," setting Fremont on the pathway to a sustainable, vibrant, and healthy community that supports the environment.
Within "CAP 2.0," efforts to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from activity in the energy, water, waste, and transportation sectors will be paired with efforts to sequester—or draw down—carbon dioxide and other GHGs from the atmosphere, so that by the year 2045, no new net greenhouse gases will be emitted. In addition, the City will explore efforts to enhance the community’s resiliency to future climatic changes as well as to adapt to changes that are already underway.
Within "CAP 2.0," efforts to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from activity in the energy, water, waste, and transportation sectors will be paired with efforts to sequester—or draw down—carbon dioxide and other GHGs from the atmosphere, so that by the year 2045, no new net greenhouse gases will be emitted. In addition, the City will explore efforts to enhance the community’s resiliency to future climatic changes as well as to adapt to changes that are already underway.
2012 Climate Action Plan
The City passed its first Climate Action Plan in 2012 with the goal of reducing municipal and community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline level. Some implementation successes include improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure, upgrading City streetlights with high-efficiency LEDs, requiring all businesses to recycle, and establishing mandatory solar requirements for new residential construction.
By 2015, Fremont had already reduced annual community-wide emissions by over 10% from its 2005 baseline—even with a 7.5% population increase during the same period. Recent technological advancements paired with favorable codes, ordinances, and incentive programs have helped to keep Fremont on track toward achieving its 2020 GHG emissions reduction goal. For example, almost 10% of vehicles registered in Fremont are now either plug-in hybrid electric or fully battery electric, and more than 4,300 home and business owners have already installed solar on their roofs.
Post-Carbon Framework
In early 2019, the Fremont City Council deepened its commitment to robust climate action by adopting a Post-Carbon Framework with ambitious goals of 55% GHG emissions reductions by 2030 and 100% emissions reduction by 2050, known commonly as carbon neutrality.
The Post-Carbon Framework provides a guide for Fremont’s actions towards these goals, along with guiding values of Equity & Access, Efficiency & Innovation, Health & Wellness, and Resiliency & Capacity Building. It details seven key strategies towards this goal: Clean & Renewable Power, Electrification & Fossil Fuel Phase-Out, Carbon Sequestration, Mobility & Connectivity, Resource Conservation and Elimination of Waste, Restorative Ecology & Green Infrastructure, and Climate Adaptation & Resilience.
Community Input and Actions
Community involvement and support is key to the success of the City’s climate change goals. Community input is highly valuable as the City's Sustainability team works to define and prioritize actions for the CAP update that will guide the City’s efforts in the coming years. There are several ways community members can share their perspective during the update process.
- Attend an upcoming CAP update engagement event in Fremont. Event details will be available soon. Visit this page for updates.
- Volunteer with us. There are several ways to help out and promote climate action in the community. Send us an email with your interests. An online volunteer form will also be available soon.
- Complete our Climate Action Plan Survey. Share your individual concerns and ideas on how you would like to see the City take on climate action.
- Sign up for the Fremont Green Challenge to log your sustainability and climate actions. Earn points and compete against your friends and neighbors as you do your part to move Fremont towards its climate goals.
- Take climate action where you are. Do you have an idea about how your organization, company, or neighborhood can help address climate action in Fremont? Lead an initiative, organize a group, or hold an event. Feel free to reach out to the Sustainability team by email if you have ideas or questions.
Imagine Post-Carbon Fremont
Clean air. Green energy. Natural spaces. Equitable development. A flurry of sustainable innovation in tech.
How do you imagine a post-carbon Fremont?
How do you imagine a post-carbon Fremont?
By 2045, the City’s goal is to have a net greenhouse gas footprint of zero carbon emissions. This means no emissions from electricity, transportation, buildings, or other current sources. Climate action will change the way we live, move, work, and play while offering us new benefits and opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Do you have a vision for what your life will be like in a Post-Carbon Fremont? What will it look and feel like? Can you describe a day in your life in 2045? As part of updating the Climate Action Plan, the Sustainability team is seeking your creative view on a Post-Carbon Fremont.
Submit your visual or narrative (500 words or less) by email. Please provide your name and contact information and specify if you would like your entry to remain anonymous. Community submissions will be collected and may be used during community engagement events or as visuals in the CAP update document.