New Orleans Ranks 39th in City Clean Energy Scorecard
Introduction
A report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has ranked New Orleans 39th in the annual City Clean Energy Scorecard. The city has shown improvement compared to last year’s scorecard, moving up 28 spots. However, there is still room for progress in energy efficiency and addressing climate change.
Key Findings
- New Orleans’ improved ranking is attributed to a mandate requiring electric vehicle charging stations for new residential and commercial buildings, as well as efforts to generate electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040.
- The city’s advocacy for updating state building codes for energy efficiency has also contributed to its improved score.
- Community-wide initiatives received a score of 15.5 out of 45 points, indicating the need for further action to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Building policies scored 15 out of 70 points, with advocacy for higher efficiency standards in state building codes.
- Transportation policies received the same score, as the city has not updated its zoning code for “location-efficient” development. However, charging stations are required for new developments.
- Community infrastructure scored 11.5 out of 40 points, highlighting the absence of a formal partnership with Entergy New Orleans for low-income audit and weatherization programs.
- Local government operations received 11 out of 25 points, with a 23% reduction in energy usage between 2018 and 2021 and increased use of energy-efficient light emitting diodes in street lights.
- In terms of equitable practices, New Orleans scored 19 out of 85.5 points.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The City Clean Energy Scorecard aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – New Orleans’ efforts to promote energy efficiency and decarbonization contribute to this goal.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The city’s focus on updating building codes, transportation policies, and community infrastructure supports this goal.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – The mandate for electric vehicle charging stations and the push for carbon-free electricity generation demonstrate the city’s commitment to addressing climate change.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The report highlights the need for formal partnerships with organizations like Entergy New Orleans to enhance low-income audit and weatherization programs.
Conclusion
New Orleans has made progress in energy efficiency and climate change mitigation, as reflected in its improved ranking on the City Clean Energy Scorecard. However, there are still areas where the city can further advance its goals, particularly in community-wide initiatives and equitable practices. By continuing to prioritize sustainable development and aligning with the SDGs, New Orleans can work towards a more resilient and environmentally friendly future.
Top Five Cities
- San Francisco
- Denver
- Seattle
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses energy efficiency, climate change, and sustainability efforts in New Orleans, which are connected to the SDGs mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development
The article mentions efforts to generate electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040 (Target 7.2) and the need to update state building codes for energy efficiency (Target 13.2). It also highlights the requirement for electric vehicle charging stations in new residential and commercial buildings (related to sustainable transport systems, Target 11.2) and the advocacy for partnerships with Entergy New Orleans for low-income audit and weatherization programs (related to partnerships for sustainable development, Target 17.16).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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