Washington, DC

District of Columbia, USA

In December 2017, Washington, DC pledged to become carbon neutral by 2045.

Emissions Reduction

31%

As of: 2019 (Baseline: 2006)

Economic Growth

44%

As of: 2017 (Baseline: 2006)

Emissions Reduction Target

CARBON NEUTRAL By 2045

Baseline: 2006

Waste Management Target

80%

by 2032

Diversion of waste from landfill and incineration

Emissions by Source

Transport 22%

Waste 5%

Buildings 73%

As of: 2020

Electricity Mix

As of: 2018

Recognizing that climate change is already impacting Washington, DC, the city is taking steps to prepare for change through its Climate Ready DC plan. At the same time, DC is committed to reducing its own contribution to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. In December 2017, Washington, DC pledged to become carbon neutral by 2045. In order to get started now to achieve that goal, DC has developed Clean Energy DC, a roadmap to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2032 by cutting energy use and increasing the use of renewable energy.

Washington, DC has made great progress on clean energy. The District Government made the largest direct purchase of wind power by an American city government in 2015. There are more ENERGY STAR certified buildings in the Washington, DC area than any other metro area in the USA. Innovative programs save residents and businesses energy, and provide the benefits of local solar energy to low-income residents. However, DC knows it must do much more to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Clean Energy DC lays out a set of actions that the District Government, local businesses, and residents can take over the next fifteen years to dramatically reduce their contribution to climate change. The plan identifies best practices and innovative strategies to reduce emissions from buildings, energy supply, and transportation, using a measurable roadmap. Taking these actions will make the District more innovative, sustainable, and resilient.

Carbon Free DC

Our path to an equitable, healthy, and resilient city by 2050. Over the last year, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) has been working with communities to identify the main drivers of carbon emissions and develop strategies to reach carbon neutrality.

Climate Ready DC Plan

Climate Ready DC is the city's strategy to make DC more resilient to future climate change. DC's investments in expanding our tree canopy, managing stormwater, and greening our construction codes are helping us to prepare for hotter summers and heavier rains.

Clean Energy DC Plan

Clean Energy DC identifies what actions need to be taken between now and 2032 in our buildings, our energy infrastructure, and our transportation system to meet the District’s ambitious GHG reduction targets.

Solar in DC

The District’s solar initiatives are working to increase renewable energy use, reduce low-income energy bills and expand green job training.

Solar Stories

This documentary series follows the District's Solar for All Program, intended to provide the benefits of solar electricity to 100,000 low-to moderate-income households, by reducing their electric bills by 50% by 2032.

Clean Energy DC

Clean Energy DC is the District’s roadmap to cut emissions 50% by 2032 by reducing energy use and increasing the use of renewable energy, with actions for government, local businesses, and residents.

We Are Washington DC

The District of Columbia is a leader in many green initiatives, and the Department of Energy & Environment is dedicated to making the nation's capital the most livable city in the nation.

Green Building Reports

Since the passage of the landmark Green Building Act of 2006, the District has been a national leader in green building development.

Interactive Energy Benchmarking Tool

Each year, the District of Columbia publishes detailed energy and water performance benchmarking data from the largest buildings in the city.