FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 8, 2023 

CONTACT
Stuart Tiffen
Senior Programs Specialist
707-332-1223
stuart.tiffen@scwa.ca.gov

Administrative Office
404 Aviation Boulevard
Santa Rosa, CA 95403 

The Sonoma County Water Agency’s efforts in greenhouse gas emissions reductions were recognized this week with Climate Registered Gold Status for 2020 and 2021 and a Climate Leadership Award. The awards were presented to Sonoma Water by The Climate Registry, a nonprofit organization that promotes and protects businesses’ early actions to manage and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

With the Gold Status award, The Climate Registry recognized Sonoma Water for fully reporting and third party-verifying its greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Sonoma Water reports and verifies its direct and indirect emissions related to energy use related to all its facilities throughout Sonoma and Marin counties. This data enables Sonoma Water to track its climate initiatives and GHG reductions credibly over time. The Climate Leadership Award signifies Sonoma Water’s accomplishments in leading the way in managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and supply chains. 

"We are proud to receive these awards recognizing Sonoma Water's progress on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate action,” said Sonoma Water Board of Directors Chair Chris Coursey. “The scale of the threat of our changing climate necessitates that we continue to strive to make significant strides in managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout our operations and supply chains."

"We are truly honored to receive the Gold Award and Climate Leadership Award from The Climate Registry for our commitment to greenhouse gas emissions reductions,” Sonoma Water General Manager Grant Davis said.  “This recognition underscores Sonoma Water's dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Our journey to reduce emissions has been a collective effort, and it's a testament to our team's hard work and commitment to a greener future." 

When Sonoma County first began reporting greenhouse gas emissions in 2008, the organization was responsible for over 22,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e that was released into the atmosphere because of its market-based electrical energy use. In its last fully verified inventory in 2021, this number amounted to only 55 metric tons of CO2e thanks to Sonoma Water’s ongoing efforts to purchase non-fossil fuel energy. 

“By attaining Climate Registered status through managing and reducing emissions, organizations are able to prove they are leaders in a growing movement to address climate change,” said Amy Holm, executive director of The Climate Registry. “With just a decade left for humanity to ensure our planet avoids the worst effects of climate change, the Climate Registry is proud to recognize organizations working hard to be part of the solution.” 

To learn more about The Climate Registry, visit theclimateregistry.org. To see how Sonoma Water is working to adapt to climate variability and climate change go to sonomawater.org/climate. 

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