ICLEI USA is currently working with Travis County, TX, to model potential emissions reductions from different mitigation strategies, synthesize climate risks across sectors, and develop planning documents that support implementation. To help the County communicate the results of their planning process with elected leaders and the public, we are developing accompanying StoryMaps.
On the mitigation front, our team is using ClearPath 2.0 to develop a list of high-impact mitigation strategies that provide a pathway to get close to net-zero by 2050 that meets the community’s needs. Emissions reduction strategies were modelled for the following sectors:
- Transportation
- Buildings and Energy Use
- Waste
- Industry
- Nature-Based Solutions
In addition to estimated emissions reductions, a high-level cost analysis was performed to estimate the potential cost savings to individuals for each strategy relative to other strategies by 2050.
On the resilience front, our team is developing a Community Vulnerability and Risk Analysis (CRVA) Report and short-form designed summary document. The CRVA examines how changing climate conditions and extreme weather events, including heatwaves, drought, floods, wildfires, and severe winter storms, are affecting the county’s people, infrastructure, economy, and natural systems.
The CRVA describes inequities in hazard risk across communities in Travis County and evaluates local impacts on the following systems and sectors:
- Public Health
- Emergency Management
- Economic Development
- Transportation
- Energy
- Ecosystems
- Water
Moving forward, the CRVA will help Travis County and regional stakeholders better understand and proactively manage weather-related risks to protect residents, guide investments, and support long-term resilience and prosperity.
To communicate this work with elected officials and the public, our team is developing a Sustainability Toolkit: Solutions for a Cleaner, Safer Travis County resource, which presents findings in an accessible format. The Toolkit explains how cities, households, organizations, and businesses can help reduce pollution, support a strong local economy, and protect the natural beauty that makes Travis County special.
