Define City Target

The aim of this step is to finalise the Carbon Reduction Strategy and Implementation Plan, a document which explains at a high level the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of the Carbon Reduction Plan going forwards in time. Much of the strategy and opportunities development work has been completed in earlier steps, but you should now decide on a target for the city.

Aspirational, loose targets may have already been set earlier in the process but they must now be written as quantified, timebound targets against a baseline.

The ideal is probably a single, round number target with stated scope, timescale and baseline. For example:

‘A reduction by 2015 of 15% from 2008 levels in CO₂ (or equivalent) emissions resulting from key stakeholder activities in the areas of buildings, transport and waste.’

However, short, medium and long term targets are also helpful in maintaining focus without losing flexibility.