Sustainability
Sustainability
In October 2018, Gov. Roy Cooper released Executive Order No. 80 addressing North Carolina's commitment to climate change and transition to a clean energy economy. Per EO 80, the state of North Carolina is striving to accomplish these goals by 2025:
- Reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 2005 levels.
- Increase the number of registered zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to at least 80,000.
- Reduce energy consumption per square foot in state-owned buildings by at least 40% from fiscal year 2002-03 levels.
These goals will be achieved through collaborative efforts among cabinet agencies on the Climate Change Interagency Council, established by EO No. 80. In addition, HB 951 requires the state to reach a 70% in CO2 emissions (from 2005 levels) by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.
NCDOA has three main directives through Gov. Cooper’s climate-related executive orders.
Directive 1: Develop a NC Motor Fleet Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Plan that:
- Identify feasible trips for a ZEV
- Recommend infrastructure necessary to support ZEV use
- Develop procurement options and strategies to increase the purchase and use of ZEVs
- Account for each agency ZEVs and miles driven by vehicle type for the Council to submit to the governor annually.
Directive 2: Improve energy consumption by creating and implementing strategies to support the state building efficiency goal in EO No. 80 which includes:
- Designate an energy point of contact (by Jan. 15, 2019).
- Develop a utility management plan (by March 1, 2019).
- Report annually on utility consumption (by Sept. 1, 2019).
Directive 3: Update the North Carolina Uniform Floodplain Management Policy to:
- Comprehensively assess and mitigate flood risks for state construction
- Minimize flood damage to state-owned assets
- Consider the impacts of sea level rise and climate change
- Support natural hydrologic conditions and the beneficial services provided by natural infrastructure
2024 Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State Property
The updated Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State Property has been released. Click to read the full text of the policy.
Zero Emission Vehicles Plan
Highlights for 2024
- The current ZEV fleet assigned to state agencies is 79 vehicles strong and composed of Chevy Bolts, Ford E-Transit Vans and a Ford Lightning.
- MFM provided agencies information on vehicles that were identified as suitable for EV replacement with the annual replacement lists sent to agencies spring 2023. Since October 2023, MFM assigned additional ZEVs to these agencies and institutions: Department of Adult Correction, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Administration, Department of Transportation, Wake Tech Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, NC A&T State University.
- The DOA Division of Purchase and Contract updated the Statewide Term Contract 2613A – Electric Vehicle Charging Station Equipment, Accessories, Installation, and Infrastructure, to include a total of six vendors with approximately 17 different brands of charging stations.
- As MFM continues to promote the use of ZEVs by state agencies, ordering new ZEVs for the fleet has been challenging due to low availability of ZEVs for state fleet purchase and budgetary challenges.
Climate Strategy Report
Highlights for 2024
Climate Strategy Reports combine annual reporting on Executive Order 80, Executive Order 246, and the Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan, and are submitted to the NC DEQ Climate Change Interagency Council.
This year's report covers projects initiated and in progress under the following directives:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Increase statewide resilience to the impacts of climate change
- Address the public health impacts of climate change
- Invest in historically underserved communities
Highlights include:
- Progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Adding additional ZEVs to the state's fleet
- Chiller Plant 2 expansion
- Updating the NC Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State Construction