Climate

Colorado’s climate is changing, and the impacts are being felt everywhere, including in Superior. Local governments have the ability to address climate change and the challenges it poses in an efficient manner. Climate efforts across towns and cities result in a combined impact of reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cleaner air and a healthier community.

Most recent data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that global surface temperatures will continue to increase until at least the mid-century. Global warming of 1.5°C to 2°C will be exceeded during the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades.

Recognizing that the climate in Superior will change over time, there are two ways the strategies of this plan address climate change:

• CLIMATE MITIGATION aims to reduce the flow of carbon emissions and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by either reducing the sources of the gases or enhancing the sinks that store these gases.
• CLIMATE ADAPTATION focuses on adjusting to the changes in climate we know will take place and aims to reduce vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change.

In 2016, Boulder County completed a county-wide GHG inventory, which reports emissions from each municipality, sector and source. The total GHG emissions for Superior was 109,834 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e) and accounts for two percent of Boulder County’s total emissions. The average emissions per Superior resident is 8.3 mtC02e, the lowest for all municipalities in Boulder County.

• Buildings – Emissions from buildings are a result of electricity generation to power homes and businesses and from fossil fuels burned on-site for heat.
  
• Transportation – Emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for our cars and planes traveling over the Town.

In September 2021, the Town Board approved a resolution to join the ICLEI150/Cities Race to Zero commitment. Race to Zero is a global campaign of the United Nations’ Climate Champions to rally leadership and support from across all sectors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates jobs and encourages inclusive, sustainable growth.

By joining the Race to Zero, the Town pledges to get to zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and by 2050 at the latest. ICLEI assisted the Town in setting an interim target that reflects the Town’s fair share effort to reach 50% global CO2 reductions by 2030. The Town’s 2030 target is a 60% reduction below 2016 emissions, which is reflected in the goals of this plan. As an ICLEI member, the Town leverages their existing Climate Neutrality Framework to reduce emissions, build resiliency, and ensure our actions are equitable and inclusive. The actions set-forth in this plan are the foundation for achieving climate neutrality in Superior.