Orange County NC Website
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SUMMARY <br /> CALL TO ACTION CONTINUED <br /> Orange County (OC) is already facing periods of severe drought, heat waves, <br /> and poor air quality with more and more frequency. While some responses will <br /> need to be coordinated regionally, it is important for Orange County to take <br /> swift and effective action locally to maintain our quality of life. <br /> In 2022, North Carolina's Governor, Roy Cooper, issued Executive Order (EO) <br /> No. 246 committing North Carolina to a clean energy economy and directing <br /> next steps in the state's plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions <br /> and create new economic opportunities for North Carolinians across the state. <br /> The EO strengthens North Carolina's commitment to reducing greenhouse <br /> gas emissions, increasing the statewide goal to a 50% reduction from 2005 <br /> levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than <br /> 2050. EO 246 includes a target specific to the transportation industry which <br /> makes up a majority of the state's emissions. It specifies a target of 1.25 million <br /> zero-emission vehicles registered at the state level and 50% of all new cars <br /> sold as electric by 2030. In line with a climate focus, the state is creating a <br /> diverse workforce to help buildout climate change infrastructure and ensure <br /> marginalized communities are engaged in the process.This follows a historical <br /> trend of previous commitments which have positioned North Carolina as a <br /> leader in climate. <br /> Orange County aims to comply with the state and adopt similar climate <br /> goals. On June 6, 2017, the Board of Orange County Commissioners passed <br /> a resolution to proportionally uphold the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce <br /> greenhouse gas emissions between 26 and 28 percent by 2025 from 2005 <br /> levels. On September 5, 2017, the Board of Orange County Commissioners <br /> adopted a resolution to transition to a 100% renewable energy based economy <br /> by 2050. The County also signed the Global Covenant of Mayors in 2018 <br /> which is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership. These three <br /> commitments have played a foundational role in propelling Orange County to <br /> write this inaugural Climate Action Plan (CAP). <br /> The CAP is more than a testament to Orange County's commitment to climate <br /> action. It signifies an intentional move to align with wider regional planning <br /> processes. In this vein, the CAP echoes the goals and strategies of regional <br /> initiatives.This harmonized approach intends not only to create synergies with <br /> neighboring localities but also to contribute to a unified regional response <br /> to climate change. Details on specific partnerships can be found in the <br /> Introduction Section. <br /> 10 2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA <br />