Why It Matters  

The Earth’s climate has been changing faster over the past century due to heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GHGs) by human activities. Climate change is already affecting Louisville, with more extreme weather events, less snowpack and earlier snowmelt, and an increase in high-heat days.

In 2016, Boulder County completed a county-wide GHG inventory to track emissions. Louisville generated 260,795 metric tons of CO₂e, or about 5% of Boulder County’s total emissions. On average, that’s 12.5 metric tons of CO₂e per Louisville resident. 

 What We're Doing 

We're committed to addressing climate change at the local level by reducing our GHG emissions. In 2024, the City Council set science-based targets for 2025, 2030, and 2050 that align with our Internal Decarbonization Plan and Community Decarbonization Plan. 

Municipal Goals

• Meet all of Louisville’s municipal electric needs with 100% carbon-free sources by 2025.
• Reduce energy-related municipal greenhouse gas emissions 60% below the 2016 baseline by 2030 and achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050. 

Community Goals

• Generate 75% of Louisville’s residential, commercial, and industrial electric needs from carbon-free sources by 2030. 
• Reduce energy-related residential and commercial/industrial greenhouse emissions 60% below the 2016 baseline by 2030 and achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050. 

 Get Involved 

• Read the Internal Decarb. Plan: Learn how Louisville is reducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations.
• Read BOCO's GHG Inventory Report: Explore the report to understand where emissions are coming from and how Louisville fits into the bigger picture of county-wide and regional climate action.