Bellevue Releases 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

The City of Bellevue released its 2023 greenhouse gas emissions inventory on January 13, 2025, revealing a 4.5% increase in citywide emissions compared to 2022, fueled by a return to pre-pandemic travel and heightened commercial energy use. Conversely, emissions from municipal operations decreased by 4%, reflecting the city's commitment to sustainability through fleet electrification and investments in renewable energy sources. Mayor Lynne Robinson highlighted that Bellevue has achieved a 54% reduction in municipal emissions since 2011, exceeding the 2030 reduction goal five years ahead of schedule. Despite significant population and job growth—25% and 26% respectively—overall city emissions are still 7.7% lower than the baseline year of 2011, with per capita emissions down 26%. The findings emphasize that most citywide emissions stem from residential and commercial buildings and transportation. Bellevue's Environmental Stewardship initiative remains focused on aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals, further refined by the recently launched Sustainable Bellevue Plan Update. The community is invited to a town hall meeting on January 15 to engage in discussions about the inventory and sustainability strategies. The full inventory and additional sustainability metrics can be accessed via Bellevue’s Environmental Performance Dashboard.