Developed countries, which are major contributors to the emission of planet-warming gases like methane and carbon dioxide, should honor their financial commitment to helping Africa adapt to the unfolding climate crisis, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said here Wednesday.
Vermont's largest city on track to hit 'net zero' by 2030
April 13, 2021
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BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The city of Burlington is on track to reach its “net zero” energy goal by 2030, said Mayor Miro Weinberger.
Weinberger and others provided an update Monday on the city’s plans to reach the goal by the end of the decade.
Fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions were lower in the city in 2019 and 2020, compared with 2018. The 2020 reduction in Burlington was partly due to the pandemic.
Weinberger said actions by people in Burlington helped the city reach the point where it is now.
"We must continue to take such bold steps to help us lock in additional emissions reductions and continue our progress toward net zero energy,” Weinberger said in a statement.
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Burlington, Vermont has sourced 100% of its energy from renewables since 2014. In 2018, the city implemented a Net Zero Energy Plan to eliminate all fossil fuel use in its heating and ground transportation by 2030. A program that provides incentives for residents and businesses to switch to such renewable energy technologies has been extended.
Burlington launched its Green Stimulus Program in June 2020 with incentives for heat pumps, water heaters, electric vehicles and other renewable technologies. Mayor Miro Weinberger, a Democrat who is running for a fourth three-year term, recently announced that the Burlington Electric Department will continue the Green Stimulus incentives through the end of the year or until funds are exhausted. “Strategic electrification is the answer to the climate emergency. This is how we save the planet while preserving and even improving our 21st century standards of living. The city is extending the Green Stimulus Program into 2021 and we’ll do everything we can to ensure that all Burlingtonians have access to and receive an equitable share of the economic relief and recovery resources available through the Green Stimulus.”