--- title: The Plan description: "The Plan: Reducing emissions by 49% is not even halfway to net zero" --- [Skip to main content](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#main-content) ![NOACA\_CLEVELAND-logos](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png?width=255&height=48&name=NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png) ![NOACA\_CLEVELAND-logos](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png?width=230&height=43&name=NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png) ![NOACA\_CLEVELAND-logos](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png?width=300&height=57&name=NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png) ![NOACA\_CLEVELAND-logos](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png?width=240&height=45&name=NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos.png) - [Home](http://neoclimateaction.org) - [Challenge](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-challenge) - [Our Progress](http://neoclimateaction.org/progress) - [The Plan](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan) - [Go Big](http://neoclimateaction.org/go-big) - [Show submenu for Take Action Take Action](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action) - [Residential Actions](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action-residents) - [Govt Actions](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action-local-governments) - [Business Actions](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action-businesses) - [Equity](http://neoclimateaction.org/equity) - [Resources](http://neoclimateaction.org/resources) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](http://neoclimateaction.org) - [Challenge](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-challenge) - [Our Progress](http://neoclimateaction.org/progress) - [The Plan](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan) - [Go Big](http://neoclimateaction.org/go-big) - Show submenu for Take Action Take Action - Take Action - [Take Action](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action) - [Residential Actions](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action-residents) - [Govt Actions](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action-local-governments) - [Business Actions](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action-businesses) - [Equity](http://neoclimateaction.org/equity) - [Resources](http://neoclimateaction.org/resources) # The Plan ## 49% Reduction by 2030 Net Zero by 2050 The region is working to to nearly halve climate pollution by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050 to protect people and the environment. #### What “49% by 2030” actually means ‣ In 2018, the Cleveland–Elyria region emitted approximately 35 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases (MMTCO2e). ‣ A 49% reduction means lowering emissions to approximately 18 MMTCO2e by 2030. ‣ This requires eliminating nearly one out of every two tons of pollution produced in 2018, within just over a decade. ‣ The easiest reductions tend to happen first; deeper reductions require larger system changes. ‣ Net zero means reducing greenhouse gas pollution as much as possible and removing the rest from the atmosphere, so overall emissions equal zero. ## REDUCING EMISSIONS BY **49%** IS NOT EVEN HALFWAY TO NET ZERO ![ghg-chart](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ghg-chart.png?width=1108&height=714&name=ghg-chart.png)   ## Emissions Reductions by Measure **MMTCO2e** stands for **Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent** ## 8.1 MMTCO2e [Electricity](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#electric) ## 4.6 MMTCO2e [Vehicle Electricification](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#vehicle) ## 2.9 MMTCO2e [Building Efficiency & Electrification](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#building) ## 2.9 MMTCO2e [Green Steel Production](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#green-steel) ## 2.3 MMTCO2e [Carbon Removal](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#green-steel) ## 2.6 MMTCO2e [Other Measures](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan#green-steel) ![Figure 18](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Figure%2018.png?width=1331&height=799&name=Figure%2018.png) ## Reducing Emissions Across Sectors Reducing emissions requires a stacked, cross-sector approach, with coordinated actions in electricity, transportation, buildings, industry, waste, and carbon removal all contributing to the overall 2030 goal. Across the region, cleaner electricity and upgrades to the power grid have helped lower pollution from homes, businesses, and industry. At the same time, there is still an opportunity to reduce emissions in tougher areas like transportation, buildings, and waste.  ## Reducing Emissions in the Electricity Sector The electricity sector has the greatest potential to reduce emissions, through cleaner power, electrifying buildings and industrial processes, improving efficiency, and cutting waste.   | **EMISSIONS FROM ELECTRICITY HAVE FALLEN FASTER THAN ANY OTHER SECTOR, AND FORM THE BACKBONE OF EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS ACROSS THE ECONOMY** | | --- | ![1](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/1.png?width=110&height=111&name=1.png) ### Modernize the Electrical Grid Improving the grid with smarter management and modernization, like intelligent systems, virtual power plants, and efficient transmission allows communities to have more reliable electricity, upgrade appliances and systems to more modern electrical options, and reduce emissions. ![3](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/3.png?width=110&height=111&name=3.png) ### Renewable Electricity Communities can switch to cleaner forms of energy by putting solar panels on rooftops, parking lots, empty lands, and farms; adding batteries to store power; and using smart electricity programs. Offshore wind in Lake Erie offers strong potential for clean energy and job creation, but faces federal regulatory hurdles and lost tax credits. Nuclear and geothermal energy offer Northeast Ohio the potential for reliable, low-carbon power and heating to meet energy needs while reducing greenhouse ![2](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2.png?width=110&height=111&name=2.png) ### Improve Energy Efficiency Communities can boost energy efficiency through weatherization and proper insulation of homes and buildings, replacing aging appliances, and completing the switch to LED lighting. ![4](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/4.png?width=110&height=111&name=4.png) ### Pays Off Later Making upgrades now, like improving the grid, increasing energy efficiency, or installing renewable energy, is crucial to enable future electrification of homes, businesses ## Transportation Sectors: Reducing Emissions Transportation caused 29% of regional emissions in 2022, and cutting them will require more efficient, accessible, and sustainable mobility. The two main ways to cut transportation emissions are driving less and switching to electric or other zero emissions vehicles. The region can cut transportation emissions by improving transit options, using smart technologies, and shifting all vehicles and fuels to zero-emission options while ensuring electric vehicle (EV) charging and fuel infrastructure is widely available.   | ##### THE MAIN BARRIERS TO DECARBONIZING TRANSPORTATION AND BUILDINGS ARE HIGH UPFRONT COSTS, LIMITED INFRASTRUCTURE, LACK OF AWARENESS OR MOTIVATION, TECHNOLOGY GAPS, AND POLICY OR REGULATORY HURDLES. | | --- | ![transportation](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/transportation.png?width=487&height=325&name=transportation.png) ## The Building Sectors: Reducing Emissions ![building-1](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/building-1.png?width=1194&height=233&name=building-1.png)   | ##### TRANSPORTATION AND BUILDING ARE SEPARATE SECTORS WITH SIMILAR CHALLENGES THAT MOVE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF CLEAN ELECTRICITY. | | --- |  Improving buildings can cut emissions by making them more energy efficient through upgrades such as insulation, more efficient heating and cooling, LED lighting, and heat pumps, which can reduce energy use by up to 60% . Additional strategies like electrifying heating, using cool or green roofs, installing rooftop solar, enforcing energy codes, and tracking energy use, further lower emissions while saving money and improving building performance.  ## Reducing Industry, Waste & Residual Emissions Industry is a major source of pollution, making up 22% of emissions. There are practical strategies to cut emissions from key sectors, including steel and metal production, cement and concrete, plastics and chemicals, pipelines, steam generation, hospitals, and paper manufacturing, but these strategies may require significant investment and advances in technology. ![Fig24](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Fig24.png?width=2000&name=Fig24.png) #### Key sectors: metal & plastic manufacturing, cement, chemicals, pipeline leaks, hospitals, and steam generation.   | ##### **RESIDUAL EMISSIONS MUST BE BALANCED BY CARBON REMOVAL, SUCH AS REFORESTATION OR DIRECT AIR CAPTURE, SO THAT TOTAL EMISSIONS DO NOT EXCEED CLIMATE TARGETS.** | | --- |   #### Waste & Wastewater While emissions exist in all five counties, the burden is greatest in Cuyahoga County, which accounts for 61% of the region’s waste-related emissions. Unlike a power plant that can be turned off, landfills and water-treatment waste produce emissions through biological decay. These “process emissions” can only be mitigated by physical capture or total waste reduction or offset by carbon capture technology. #### Reducing Industry, Waste & Wastewater Emissions - Upgrade Factories: Switch big industries, like steel and cement plants, from fossil fuels to clean electricity or hydrogen and use newer machines that use less energy. - Reduce Transportation Emissions: Switch diesel trucks and equipment to electric or hydrogen power. - Less Trash: Expand recycling and reuse programs so less waste gets to the landfill in the first place. - Waste to Energy: Use technology to turn waste and methane gas from landfills into clean electricity and heat for the community. - Facility Efficiency: Upgrade wastewater and manufacturing plants with high-efficiency pumps and motors to lower energy needs and use carbon capture technology. - Residual Emissions: Leftover climate pollution that is difficult or expensive to eliminate completely, even after using the best available technology and reduction strategies. They come from certain industrial processes like steelmaking, long-distance freight, agricultural equipment and aviation fuels. #### USING THE CCAP’S RECOMMENDED MEASURES, DECARBONIZING INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES IN THE CLEVELAND-ELYRIA MSA COULD SAVE $250 MILLION IN AVOIDED HEALTHCARE COSTS BY 2050. REDUCING WASTE AND WASTEWATER POLLUTION COULD SAVE ANOTHER $20 MILLION. [![NOACA\_CLEVELAND-logos-white](https://neoclimateaction.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos-white.png?width=290&height=55&name=NOACA_CLEVELAND-logos-white.png)](http://neoclimateaction.org?hsLang=en) - [Home](http://neoclimateaction.org) - [Challenge](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-challenge) - [Our Progress](http://neoclimateaction.org/progress) - [The Plan](http://neoclimateaction.org/the-plan) - [Go Big](http://neoclimateaction.org/go-big) - [Take Action](http://neoclimateaction.org/take-action) - [Equity](http://neoclimateaction.org/equity) - [Resources](http://neoclimateaction.org/resources) Copyright. 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