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2022 ANNUAL UPDATE
Community-Wide Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) Emissions by Sector:
2021 Community-Wide Emissions by
Source (Metric Tonnes CO2e):
Buildings 78%
Transportation 19%
Waste 3%
Increase in residential
energy usage*
2.5%
MidAmerican Renewable Energy
(as percentage of retail sales):
11.1%
Increase in trans-
portation emissions*
4.2%
Increase in industrial
energy usage*
*over 2020 levels
Continued action
is needed in several
key areas:
Iowa City established a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions
by 2050. Staff were charged with creating the Accelerating Iowa City’s Action Plan to identify a path toward achieving these emission
reduction goals. City staff and community partners work together to implement climate actions addressing buildings and energy,
transportation, waste, adaptation, and sustainable lifestyle through three key strategies (equity, outreach, and action):
Equity
Climate Action & Adaptation Plan 2022 Annual Update
Home resilience starter packs were
distributed at the Public Works Open
House. Cooling bandanas were distributed
at Iowa City Free Lunch Program and Lucas
Farms History Days to help individuals cope
with extreme heat events.
A Climate Action Grant for the Deerfield
Commons Homeowners Association raised
the R-value of the attic insulation in 22
units from R0 to R30, increasing comfort,
addressing structural damage, and lowering
energy costs for residents.
A Climate Action Grant for Habitat for
Humanity will fund energy efficiency
features at the Jane Hagedorn Women Build
home.
Outreach
Action (Highlights)
The “Speaking Of…” series reached 247
total participants and addressed topics
such as food waste, greenwashing, wishful
recycling, summer energy use, reasons for
hope, and more.
The Green Iowa AmeriCorps team
completed audits in 112 households and
engaged 179 volunteers in environmental
work.
The Climate Action & Outreach Office
worked to foster regional collaboration
through working groups such as the Eastern
Iowa EV Readiness cohort. Visit www.icgov.org/ClimateAction for details on additional accomplishments and a look ahead at future projects and priorities.
25% Iowa City Climate Ambassadors
Increase in
number of Climate
Outreach events
from 2021 to 2022
The 2022 Energy Blitz conducted in the Lucas Farms Neighbor-
hood delivered energy saving kits to 931 households by 50 volun-
teers. The kits are estimated to save households $75/year in
energy costs.
The TIF-funded climate action incentive program was expanded
to include the Downtown and Northside districts in addition to
Riverfront Crossing. In this program, grants are available to
businesses making energy efficiency improvements.
The City committed $55,850 to energy efficient system upgrades
in municipal facilities in 2022, including at the water treatment
plant and in City Hall.
The Electric Bus Bash celebrating four new electric buses drew
over 150 participants. In public ramps, demand for EV charging
has increased 290% since 2018. A new rebate
program helps install EV chargers in multifamily units.
The Climate Action & Outreach Office launched a rebate program
for income-qualified households to provide air-source heat pumps
and upgrades to insulation and electrical panels, lowering house-
holds’ energy costs.
Iowa City planted 1,200 trees in 2021, plus 333 from the Root
for Trees program, more than tripling the previous year’s record.
The Root for Trees program aims to help residents plant 800 more
in 2022.