Measure description
The annual Greenhouse Gas Emission is a measure of the total citywide emissions from electricity, natural gas, on-road transportation, fuel, and waste in metric tons. It is one of the most widely followed indicators of air pollution and environmental cleanliness. The Greenhouse Gas Emission is a Citywide trends indicator.
Why this measure is important
Reporting on annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions provides the public, elected officials, and City staff with a current snapshot of San Francisco's air quality and environment.
Cities account for 70 percent of the world's Greenhouse Gas Emissions but also play a key role in achieving clean energy targets like the Paris Climate Accords. San Francisco has joined the Sierra Club's nationwide clean energy campaign while also committing to reduce landfill disposal by 50% by 2030 and ensuring that all City buildings are net-zero emissions by 2050. San Francisco aims to use these goals to drive action and deliver results that improve the environment and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
The interactive charts below present four perspectives on the City's annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
The charts' legends are below:
Chart 1: Emissions in metric tons of CO2e by Sector/Sub-Sector
- Y-axis: Metric tons of CO2e in millions
- X-axis: Calendar years
Chart 2: Percent Total Emissions Reduction since 1990, the baseline year
- Y-axis: Total emissions reduction percentage
- X-axis: Calendar years
Chart 3: Emissions by Commodity (Energy Source)
- CY 2022 Donut pie chart only
- No axes
Chart 4: Emissions in metric tons of CO2e by Industry Subsectors
- Y-axis: Metric tons of CO2e in millions
- X-axis: Calendar years
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The City has reached its Environment Code target of reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels.
The City is working towards its new goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
How performance is measured
Greenhouse Gas Emissions are calculated using the following methodology:
Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions from electricity, natural gas, on-road transportation, fuel, and waster in metric tons.
Based on the Kyoto Protocol, San Francisco established greenhouse gas emissions targets in the City’s Environment Code, Chapter 9, as follows:
- By 2017, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 1990 levels
- By 2025, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels
- By 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels
Observations: Between 1990 and 2022, San Francisco's carbon footprint was reduced by 48% while population increased 12% and the GDP (gross domestic product) increased 226%. The City has reached its Environment Code target of reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels. The City is now working towards its new goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The City's progress towards its climate goals demonstrates that it is possible to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions while also furthering other City goals.
Data
All Greenhouse Gas Emissions data come from the San Francisco Department of the Environment's emissions inventory. Data for this metric are reported with a two to three-year lag. For example, 2022's data will be available at the end of 2024.
Visit DataSF to access the data.
Additional Information
Visit the San Francisco Department of the Environment for detail on climate goals and Carbon Footprint Dashboard.
City Performance Scorecards
This page is part of the City Performance Scorecards.
Return to the Sustainability & Climate Action Scorecard.
Return to the City Performance Scorecards Home Page.