Aspen ‘not on track’ for greenhouse gas emission goals, official says

City of Aspen Sustainability Programs Administrator Tim Karfs said the city is not on track to meet its GHG emission goals. 

Aspen’s Sustainability Action Plan (ASAP) for 2025 builds on the city’s environmental initiatives with new strategies to meet its emission goals, address climate change, and reinforce existing commitments. 

The city has set science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 63% from 2017 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Specific goals include reducing organics in landfills by 25% by 2025 and achieving 70% total waste diversion by 2050. 

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Karfs said that the city is behind on both its 2030 and 2050 climate goals.

“The 2023 City of Aspen Community-wide GHG inventory shows that Aspen is currently not on track to meet its climate goals by 2030 or 2050,” he said. “The increase in emissions is in line with national/regional trends as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, where resort destinations have experienced increased economy and visitation, leading to increased emissions.” 

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He noted that the 2023 inventory does not include the emissions-cutting benefits of recent sustainability measures, such as updated building codes, electrification initiatives, organics diversion, and construction and demolition ordinances. 

“We have a lot of work ahead of us to reduce emissions to meet our climate goals, but we also look forward to seeing the impacts of current and upcoming initiatives outlined in the ASAP,” he said. 

In 2025, the city plans to enhance its multi-modal transportation system to reduce vehicle miles traveled and air pollution. Proposed actions include exploring traffic congestion improvements from Brush Creek to Aspen, developing community consensus for infrastructure enhancements, increasing electrification of transit fleets, and researching funding options for affordable housing to support transit expansion. 

To advance these efforts, Aspen is collaborating with regional entities to adapt to climate change and build a resilient community. A 2025 Climate Action Plan is also in development, focusing on aligning county-wide goals to reduce emissions from various sources. 

City of Aspen Sustainability Program Administrator Clare McLaughlin noted that community members have been taking advantage of the city’s partnership with the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) to electrify buildings and homes. 

“In 2024, CORE gave out $924,936 in grants and rebates, resulting in 110 energy efficiency and electrification projects, including 57 new heat pump installations,” McLaughlin said. “Additionally, CORE helps community members identify additional complementary incentives such as rebates from Holy Cross Energy, or state grants, to support their electrification projects.” 

She emphasized that while these incentives offer a pathway to electrification, reducing fossil fuel use remains critical to cutting building sector emissions. 

Aspen’s Building IQ initiative is another tool to improve energy efficiency and cut emissions in commercial and multifamily buildings. The program requires building owners to benchmark and report energy use annually, helping identify opportunities for energy savings. In the first phase of Building IQ, the city partnered with CORE to track energy and water use in large commercial, multi-family, and city-owned buildings. 

“Building owners receive wraparound support from CORE to collect and analyze these data to better understand their energy and water use and identify opportunities for savings and improvements,” McLaughlin said. “Voluntarily, buildings may then work with CORE to access advising, grants, and rebates that enable energy-saving projects.” 

She said this hands-on support has helped encourage participation in Building IQ. 

The Aspen Skiing Company also contributes to climate efforts by implementing green operations, including solar energy use and low-impact dining options. The company advocates for systemic policy-level solutions to climate change and leverages its influence to advance broader climate action.