(February 4, 2026) The City of Dallas’ 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory shows progress towards the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) greenhouse gas reduction goal with a community-wide emissions reduction of approximately 11% and a City/local government operations (LGO) reduction of approximately 29% since 2015, the baseline year for Dallas’ greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. Consistent with CECAP goals, Dallas aims to achieve net zero emissions by the Year 2050.
Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Reducing GHG emissions is one of the guiding principles behind CECAP, which is managed by the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS). To reduce the effects of GHGs, sixteen (16) City departments work diligently to implement CECAP actions through efforts such as energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy procurement, and expanded waste diversion programs. These departments include Arts and Culture, Aviation, Code Compliance, Convention & Event Services, Dallas Water Utilities, Economic Development, Equipment & Fleet Management, Facilities & Real Estate Management, Housing & Community Empowerment, Bond & Construction Management, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development, Procurement Services, Sanitation Services, Transportation & Public Works, and OEQS.
Although the City has conducted some form of a GHG inventory since 2006, the report for calendar year 2023 is the third comprehensive inventory. As in the 2015 baseline inventory and the 2019 inventory, the 2023 inventory calculates GHG emissions within the geographic boundary of the City of Dallas for both the community as a whole and for local government operations. The inventory’s calculations include GHGs emitted during energy consumption, transportation, waste generation and treatment, industrial processes, and land-use change. In order to quantify the City’s own contribution to GHG through its local government operations, the inventory also tallied emissions from several key sectors including buildings, airport facilities, streets (lights, traffic signals), fleet, water and wastewater, and solid waste.
“Supportive technologies, stronger policies and keeping our eye on the metrics are critical to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. As this City continues to grow, the reduction noted in this report is significant. Dallas and its residents are resilient, and we will keep working to attain net-zero”, said Council Member Kathy Stewart, District 10 and Chair of the Dallas City Council Parks, Trails and the Environment Committee.
“The city-wide inventory will definitively measure our progress toward our CECAP emissions-reduction goals and make the work ahead clearer. As staff develops the city’s five-year priority climate action plan, these findings will help departments target investments, refine programs and focus resources where they can most effectively reduce emissions. As environmental advocates, it helps us promote understanding of the CECAP and its purpose and to encourage practices within our communities that help us meet those goals.” said Kathryn Guerra, Chair of the City of Dallas Environmental Commission.
Results from each inventory are used to evaluate the City’s overall progress toward climate mitigation and to inform future strategies. It provides a roadmap for the future, and everyone is invited to participate in the journey whether by generating less waste, reducing electricity and water usage at home, or by using mass transit. All these actions reduce GHGs and create a more resilient future.
“I’m encouraged by the results of this plan but note that we are just getting started. We’re five years into the 30-year plan mapped out by CECAP. OEQS is working diligently to identify ways in which we can better partner with our residents and businesses to encourage good environmental stewardship and to harness enthusiasm to make Dallas a cleaner, greener, and healthier city for everyone. OEQS is also advancing strategies such as the Dallas Green Business Certification program, OEQS-sponsored urban agriculture infrastructure grants, and the installation of EV charging stations in collaboration with the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Mitigating and adapting to climate change remains at the forefront of our work”, said Angela Hodges Gott, Director of the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability.
The 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory can be found at dallasclimateaction.com.