Valley Water adopts Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan; goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045

On Aug. 11, 2026, the Valley Water Board of Directors adopted its first Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, establishing a roadmap for the agency to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. 

The Board’s action is an important step in implementing Valley Water’s 2021 Climate Change Action Plan and strengthens the agency’s long-term goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The new plan outlines measurable strategies to reduce emissions across Valley Water’s operations and construction activities over the next 20 years. It also creates a consistent framework for analyzing greenhouse gas impacts for future Valley Water projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Plan adoption comes after several years of technical analysis and public and partner engagement. Valley Water staff and subject matter experts reviewed emissions data, forecasts and proposed reduction measures. Valley Water also sought public input on the draft plan, solicited an independent peer review, and conducted a 31-day public review under CEQA. 

Valley Water has made significant progress in reducing emissions from its own operations over the past several years. Reduction actions include, but are not limited to, improvements to its fleet, installation of solar panels at Valley Water facilities, conversion to LED light bulbs in facilities, and procurement of low-carbon electricity. The new plan expands those efforts by taking a more comprehensive approach to measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For the first time, the agency's emissions inventory includes additional indirect emissions, such as those associated with construction activities, maintenance work, and imported water. Using a five-year average from 2017 through 2021, the inventory found that these indirect emissions account for approximately 70% of Valley Water's total greenhouse gas emissions. Indirect emissions will be tracked as part of Valley Water’s carbon budget and considered in its overall approach to emissions reduction.

Examples of emissions reduction strategies from the plan include:

• Increasing the use of zero-emission fuels and equipment for Valley Water's on and off-road fleet.
• Expanding the use of zero-emission construction vehicles and equipment on Valley Water projects.
• Capturing and accounting for carbon stored through habitat restoration projects that naturally remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as tidal marsh, riparian, and freshwater wetland restoration.

Valley Water will monitor its greenhouse gas emissions annually against a carbon budget through 2045, report progress every two years and update the plan every five years. These regular updates will allow the agency to incorporate new technologies, refine reduction strategies, and respond to changing conditions.

In addition to reducing emissions, the plan provides a framework that can streamline greenhouse gas analysis for future Valley Water projects under the California Environmental Quality Act. Projects that are consistent with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan can rely on the plan's established reduction measures and carbon budget, helping improve efficiency while maintaining strong environmental protections.

Climate change continues to affect California through more frequent droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to invest in critical water infrastructure and ecosystem restoration, Valley Water is helping build a more resilient future for Santa Clara County.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan reflects Valley Water's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and responsible management of the region's water resources for generations to come.

For more information and to read the plan, visit the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan page,