Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) will touch on all signficant GHG sources and sectors that impact the Region. The CCAP will establish near-term and long-term emissions reduction goals, and provide strategies and identify measures to achive those goals. The CCAP provides a clear snapshot of the region’s current emissions, climate risks, and opportunities for action.

CCAP Highlights

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  • Regional Emissions Trends

    Emissions have decreased 9.5% since 2010 thanks to cleaner energy and efficiency gains.

    Transportation and buildings remain the largest sources of emissions today.

  • Sector Opportunities

    Buildings: Energy efficiency upgrades and electrification can cut emissions.
    Transportation: Expanding public transit, EV adoption, and bike/ped infrastructure are priorities.
    Agriculture & Working Lands: Improved land management and soil practices support carbon sequestration.
    Industry & Waste: Cleaner processes and materials management reduce environmental impact.

  • GHG Reduction Strategies, Measures, & Tool

    Drawing insight from existing regional, county-wide, and municipal climate action plans in the project area, results of the 2022 GHG Inventory, and the lived and professional expertise from members of our ]Committee and sector-based focus groups, the project team established short and long-term strategies, measures, and tools to reduce GHG emissions region-wide.

  • Municipal Action & Collaboration

    The plan provides guidance for municipalities to implement energy, transportation, land use, and resilience measures. Regional collaboration opportunities amplify impact through shared projects.

  • Regional Impact

    Strategies in the CCAP could achieve 10–20% emissions reductions by 2035. Supports New York State’s 2050 goal of 85% emissions reduction.

    Improved public health, lowers energy costs, creates economic opportunities, and strengthens community resilience

Sectors

  • Transportation & Land Use

    Most greenhouse gas emissions from transportation are carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from the combustion of petroleum-based products, like gasoline and diesel fuel, in internal combustion engines. The largest sources of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions include passenger cars, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and light-duty trucks. These sources account for over half of the emissions from the transportation sector.

  • Buildings

    The building sectors include all homes and commercial businesses (excluding municipal operations, agricultural and industrial activities). Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector come from direct emissions including fossil fuel combustion for heating and cooling needs, management of waste and wastewater, and leaks from refrigerants in homes and businesses, as well as indirect emissions that occur offsite but are associated with use of electricity by homes and businesses.

  • Industry

    Greenhouse gas emissions from industry primarily come from burning fossil fuels for energy, and greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials. Industrial emissions are the third largest source of direct emissions.

  • Agriculture & Working Lands

    Agriculture emits greenhouse gases from livestock, soils, and production. Natural lands provide clean air, water, wildlife habitat, and recreation, while capturing CO₂ through carbon sequestration. Thoughtful land and forest management can remove more CO₂ than is emitted, helping reduce overall greenhouse gases.

  • Waste Water & Sustainable Matertials Management

    Waste emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gas emissions from anthropogenic activities other than those created by fossil fuel combustion including solid waste management, landfills, composting and anaerobic digestion, and municipal waste combustion that does not generate electricity, wastewater treatment, including septic tanks, wastewater treatment plants, and effluent management.

  • Electric Power

    The electric power sector involves the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Carbon dioxide makes up the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the sector, but smaller amounts of methane and nitrous oxide are also emitted. These gases are released during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to produce electricity.