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The Florida Climate Institute (FCI) Partners with USF Patel College of Global Sustainability to complete Florida Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Report

Associate Professor of the Sustainable Water Concentration, Dr. Kebreab Ghebremichael

According to reports from the USF Energy Information Administration, Florida was the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide in 2017 (www.eia.gov). The Biden Administration has planned for 100% clean electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. To support this goal, the Florida Climate Institute (FCI) is undertaking work to develop a statewide greenhouse gas inventory and initiate net-zero action planning.

This project was led by the Florida International University (FIU) and the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability (USF PCGS) co-led by Professor Kebreab Ghebremichael and supported by university faculty and students from across the FCI and stakeholders from across the State. The GHG emissions inventory (1990-2018) and GHG emission projections (2019-2050) were estimated based on activities in various sectors including energy, industrial processes, product use, agriculture, and waste. Negative emissions based on natural processes such as land-use change and forestry (including wetlands), and technologies (e.g., direct air capture, geological sequestration, and agricultural soils) were also considered.

As part of the project, scholarships were awarded to seven graduate students affiliated with different FCI members and other universities including Jazmyn Jenkins from the Patel College of Global Sustainability. The project was supported by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The report has been submitted to EDF for review. Future plans include a Florida Community Outreach "Roadshow" to educate Florida Communities on the FCI Findings.