Climate Protection

On August 16, 2006, Mayor David Bieter signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement making Boise the 1st city in Idaho and the 280th city in the nation to endorse the agreement.  The agreement, authored by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels asks cities to take steps to reduce the emissions associated with global climate change through such measures as energy-efficient building practices, alternative fuels, and improved transportation and land-use planning.

A resolution approving Boise's participation in the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was passed by City Council on September 19, 2006.  The resolution indicates City leader's agreement that the city of Boise will strive to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas emission reduction target; a 7% reduction from 1990 greenhouse gas emissions level by 2012.

Boise is taking steps to increase energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.  Among other things, Boise will be expanding its geothermal heating district and increasing the use of the methane produced at its waste water treatment facilities as fuel.  Boise is also proud to be home to the Banner Bank building, a Platinum-certified leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) building.  However, City leaders have recognized that more needs to be done and are moving ahead the development of a CO2 emissions reduction plan.

Boise's Approach

Boise plans on following a five step process to reduce greenhouse gases emission in our community.  The following steps will be completed for City government and for the community:

• Conduct a baseline emission inventory, document and quantify emissions reductions that have occurred sine the baseline year, and forecast emissions growth
• Set an emission reduction target
• Develop an action plan to meet the target
• Implement actions in the plan
• Monitor and verify emissions reduction programs

Mayor Bieter appointed an Advisory Committee to assist with Boise's Climate Protection Program.  The Advisory Committee routinely met in 2007-2008 to consider building, zoning and subdivision code changes and incentives that would encourage energy and water efficient practices in new and existing construction.  They also considered transportation, waste management practices, and carbon sequestration issues.  In July 2008, the Advisory Committee developed a set of recommendations for the city of Boise.  The group will reconvene in 2010 to, again, act in an advisory capacity to the City.  Agendas and notes from the Advisory Committee meetings can be found on the Climate Protection Program Advisory Committee page.