County of San Diego
2023 Climate Action Progress
Annual Report
The County reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through sustainability actions implemented across several County departments. In 2023, the County reduced 260,428 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e)1 of GHG emissions through the implementation of measures within the built environment & transportation, energy, solid waste, water & wastewater, and agriculture & conservation emissions sectors. Find status updates on all County GHG reduction measures at and on our 2023 Report on Climate Action Progress Appendix.
In addition to these GHG emission reductions, the County continued to make progress on other sustainability-related efforts such as implementation of the Electric Vehicle Roadmap and updates to the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The County is continuing to work on the Regional Decarbonization Framework that will plan for a zero carbon future for San Diego. To learn more about these efforts and other ways the County is working to ensure a sustainable and just future for our community, find this report online at sandiegocounty.gov/sustainability/ annualmonitoringreport.
1 MTCO2e is the standard unit of measurement for GHG monitoring and evaluation.
260,428 MTCO2e Reduction
2023 County GHG reductions were equivalent to reducing the emissions from 29,304,377 gallons of gasoline!2
The County has continued to make climate action progress and provide co-benefits such as clean air and water, green jobs, and improved public health through implementation of programs and policies within five emissions sectors.
Built Environment & Transportation
Energy
Solid Waste
Water & Wastewater
Agriculture & Conservation
As of 2023, the County achieved 29% of the 2030 reduction target of 897,145 MTCO2e.
County of San Diego
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
Climate Action Highlights from 2023
66
new EVs added to the County fleet
Distributed an equivalent of
1,197
rain barrels distributed through the County Watershed Protection Program's discounted rain barrel program
5,604
trees planted by the Department of Parks and Recreation
Permitted residential solar power equivalent to
17,459
homes, over 90% through the County's Online Permits platform
448
acres of open space conserved through the Multiple Species Conservation Program
Electric Vehicle Roadmap
In October 2019, the County Board of Supervisors adopted the Electric Vehicle (EV) Roadmap and took significant steps to increase electric vehicle ownership and use, and install charging stations in the county’s unincorporated area and at County facilities.
The EV Roadmap includes six goals that increase and accelerate electrification of our transportation network in order to reduce GHG emissions and improve air quality in the unincorporated area. Implementation of the EV Roadmap supports the County’s 2018 CAP efforts to meet GHG reduction targets and sets the County on a path to meet anticipated future demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Action + Progress
Since Board adoption, several initiatives to advance EV Roadmap goals have been completed or progressed. Implementation efforts are regularly updated on the EV Roadmap website, and key highlights from 2023 have included:
- Installed over 230 EV charging stations at County facilities for fleet vehicles
- Increased the number of in-use EVs in the County’s fleet to 165 vehicles
- Installed over 60 publicly accessible EV chargers at County facilities
- Increased teleworking by County employees and reduced more than 5,000 MTCO2e from County employee commutes with teleworking in 2023
- Updated the EV Consumer Guide to provide information on latest vehicle market availability, available incentives, and rebates through federal programs
- Developed a Regional Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy (ZEV Strategy) as part of the Accelerate to Zero Emissions Regional Collaboration
Did you know?
The U.S.
Department of Energy provides a Vehicle Cost Calculator
to estimate the cost of owning and operating a vehicle. PlugStar's Research a
Car provide EV cost calculators based on local conditions.
Ongoing Electric Vehicle Efforts
The County has multiple ongoing efforts to increase electric vehicle use and access to EV charging infrastructure. These efforts range from increasing the number of EVs used in County operations to regional collaboration to ensure all San Diego county residents have future access to electric vehicles. Some ongoing efforts include the following:
> COUNTY FLEET
GREEN FLEET ACTION PLAN
The County is working to achieve greater sustainability across its fleet operations with a new Green Fleet Action Plan released by Department of General Services (DGS) in 2023. The plan provides a framework to achieve greater fleet sustainability and deploy the right infrastructure to support a zero-emissions fleet. Significant investment will be required through the fleet transition process to plan and deploy supporting infrastructure, combined with measures to reduce and right-size the fleet. The purpose of this document is to outline performance targets and actions for the County to move towards a zero-emissions fleet.
> ELECTRIC VEHICLES
LIBRARY’S BOOKMOBILES
In addition to passenger vehicles, the County has made progress in transitioning County services that rely on heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). San Diego County Library (SDCL) has retired two diesel-fueled buses that served as the Library’s Bookmobiles and will replace them with four ‘EV Mobile Outreach Platforms.’ In 2023, SDCL received four all-electric mobile outreach vans, which will be equipped with specialized equipment, such as a ramp, lift gate, power inverter, vehicle wrap, and more, to commence operations in Fall 2024. These ZEVs will offer expanded mobile library services to the community across the region.
> EV INFRASTRUCTURE
CHARGE ON THE GO
In 2023, the County collaborated with ChargePoint to introduce the “Charge on the Go” initiative to assist County fleet vehicles operating in areas where County-operated charging stations might be limited. This program allows County employees to charge County fleet vehicles at any ChargePoint charging station, thereby expanding access to over one thousand additional charging stations in the San Diego region for use by County vehicles while in the field.
> COUNTY LEADERSHIP
COUNTY AS A LEADER
In 2023, the County initiated the Regional Zero Emissions Vehicles Incentive Program (ZEVIP) in collaboration with SANDAG. This initiative, funded by a Caltrans Grant, will provide rebates to San Diego residents for purchasing or leasing zero-emission vehicles. This program is a key measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions outlined in the County’s Draft 2024 CAP. Through the ZEVIP, SANDAG and the County will establish a funding program to facilitate the purchase of over 100,000 zero-emission passenger vehicles (such as cars, pickup trucks, minivans) from 2025-2035.
Climate Action Plan Update
In 2023, the County released the Draft 2024 CAP and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for public review, continuing its efforts to establish a bold vision for responding to climate change. The Draft 2024 CAP establishes GHG reduction targets for the unincorporated community and County operations that are informed by Board direction and aligned with State legislation:
- Target: 43.6% below 2019 levels by 2030
- Target: 85.4% below 2019 levels by 2045
- Goal: Net zero emissions by 2045
Framework for the Future
Through robust, equitable community outreach and engagement, this community-informed Draft 2024 CAP reflects the lived experiences and voices of residents in the unincorporated area. In its development, outreach and engagement activities emphasized participation from individuals and groups most impacted by climate change, including youth, older adults, low-income communities, and communities of color. These community perspectives are reflected in the measures and actions included in the Draft 2024 CAP.
The CAP reduces emissions for the 772,239 acres and over 500,000 residents where the County has land use jurisdiction (in green above) and the approximately 430 County facilities located across 19 jurisdictions.
Get Involved with the CAP Update!
In 2023, staff received input and stakeholder feedback through a total of six public workshops that included over 100 participants, over 35 in-person events reaching thousands of people, and regular engagement on our website, e-newsletter, as well as through our social media channels.
During the public review period for the Draft 2024 CAP and Draft SEIR, our engagement portal received over two thousand visits since its release to the public in October 2023. To increase awareness of the release of the documents, we participated in five in-person office hours and 25 community events and meetings in the community. The Draft 2024 CAP and environmental documents are expected to go to the Board in Fall 2024.
Visit our project website and follow us on Facebook , Instagram and X to learn more and get involved in the process!
Sustainability Initiatives at the County of
San Diego
In 2023, the County continued to make bold action towards addressing the climate emergency through a variety of sustainable, equitable policy directives.
Collaborating to Reach Zero Carbon
- RDF is the County’s science-based, holistic approach to guide the region’s decarbonization efforts led by OSEJ
- Check the Let’s Get There Playbook, a compilation of actions that individuals, organizations, communities, and the region can take to reduce GHG emissions
Principles for sustainable development
- Identifies principles of sustainable development that could inform future land use decisions
- Visit the engagement portal to keep up to date on the status, outreach events, and more
Increasing use of native plants in landscaping
- Offers training, resources, and incentives to increase the use of native plants in landscaped areas to support biodiversity
- Check out native landscaping updates to County facility design standards as outlined in Board Policy G-15
Sustainability in our operations
- All County departments and offices (40+) have sustainability plans to outline commitments that improve sustainability outcomes for County operations to lead to a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all
- Completed the Departmental Sustainability Planning 2023 Annual Report
Dedicated climate equity resources
- A central point to advance collaborative sustainability solutions throughout the County organization and across the region that remove systemic inequities and environmental burdens.
- OSEJ intentionally and actively works alongside communities as we collectively strive to achieve zero carbon emissions while safeguarding the health of people and natural systems.
Stay Connected
For questions and media inquiries, contact us here.
View previously published annual monitoring reports here.
Climate Action Links