Sunnyvale Climate Action Scoreboard

Created by and for the Community

Welcome to Sunnyvale's Climate Action Scoreboard.* It tracks our team’s performance toward a sustainable and resilient Sunnyvale. 

This site has two main areas – the Scoreboard (you’re here!) and the Playbook pages (linked top right). The Playbook is our roadmap to reduce carbon emissions by 2045. It has the strategies and plays we're using to make progress toward our targets. We're playing against our greatest opponent - greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Whether you’re a rookie or a climate action pro, this is your go-to spot to help us all stay in the game. 

*The Scoreboard is updated annually. The last update was 9/18/25. 

Current Score

All great sports teams use playbooks to dominate on the field. Sunnyvale’s Climate Action Playbook is our version. It has our winning strategies for taking on greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Here’s an overview: 

Our Targets

  • Cut emissions to 56% below 1990 levels by 2030 – way ahead of the state’s 40% goal. 
  • Cut emissions to 85% below 1990 levels by 2045 – this is the big win: carbon neutrality. 

Our Playbook 

  • Six Strategies: Sunnyvale’s overarching approach for bold climate action. 
  • 19 Plays: Targeted and measurable areas within the Strategies that aim to tackle our opponent: GHGs. 
  • 66 “Next Moves” in Game Plan 2028: Immediate actions we’re using between now and 2028. 

Want to scout the full Playbook? Read the full Climate Action Playbook and visit the City of Sunnyvale Sustainability webpage.

The Scoreboard was last updated on 9/18/25. 

Please note: the City will update the Scoreboard once energy and emissions data for 2024-2025 is available. 



Playing by the Rules – Aligning with State Goals

We’re not just playing for Sunnyvale – we’re aligned with California’s top-tier climate goals and policies: 

The California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) – The Kickoff 

California’s first major climate rulebook, that requires cutting emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 40% below by 2030. Sunnyvale used 2008 data to set our 1990 baseline, and we’ve already reduced emissions 24% from 1990 levels, as of 2023. 

California Climate Crisis Act (AB 1279) – The Championship Game 

This law calls for carbon neutrality by 2045, with emissions reduced at least 85%. As of 2024, Sunnyvale has matched our carbon neutrality target with AB 1279. 

Game Plan 2028 Legend: Scoring on GHG Reductions

This Legend helps you understand how our Climate Action Playbook cuts emissions. Game Plan 2028 is where Sunnyvale outlines its “Next Moves” between now and the end of the 2028 season. These are the near-term steps to cut GHGs and hit our 2030 targets. 

Like any great team, we’ll update our Moves every five years to stay aligned with department plans and community needs. As we developed these Moves, we rated for their carbon reduction potential. We also considered other community goals each would help us achieve. In the "At-a-Glance" table below, the series of icons show co-benefits that showcase those other goals. Colored icons state when the Move will support the respective co-benefit. This legend explains each of the co-benefit icons and shows progress toward Move completion.   

Co-Benefits

GHG Reduction Potential illustrates the relative carbon savings potential of a Move on a scale of 1 to 4, where 1 cloud indicates minimum potential (e.g., informational or educational action that supports other Moves) up to 4 clouds which indicates maximum potential (e.g., affecting emissions of an entire sector).

Local Environmental Quality indicates Moves that improve air quality, water quality, and/or open space amenities.

Health and Livability indicates Moves that improve physical, mental and emotional health or wellbeing and quality of life for residents, employees, and visitors.

Community Savings Moves provide long-term savings for residents, businesses, or the City.

Partnership Moves will require assistance from and coordination with partner organizations or agencies, such as SVCE and Valley Water.

Progress

Green Checkmark - "Complete or Ongoing" - a major milestone has been achieved (e.g., base level of outreach, monitoring, or implementation needed).

Three Blue Dots - "In Progress" - work on this Move has started (i.e., on track and implemented as originally planned).

Purple Clock  - "Delayed" (i.e., scheduled for the current year but delayed).

Grey Circle  - "Not Yet Scheduled" (i.e., scheduled for implementation in later years).

Yellow Pause - "On Hold" (i.e., due to the pandemic or awaiting action by players outside the City).

Game Plan 2028 At-A-Glance

The following table provides an at-a-glance view of the status of each one of our Moves. Expand each Strategy and Play to find each of the Moves, their status, and the co-benefits each will provide the community as they are implemented.

FY 24/25 Moves Status Summary:  

Biggest Drivers

Activity continues to pick up following the pandemic. People are returning to the roads, their offices and their classrooms. As a result, Sunnyvale saw a 2% uptick in total community emissions in 2023. It's a bit like a rival team regaining momentum late in the game. 

This increase on the scoreboard came from two key sectors: 

Transportation: Still Leading the League in Emissions 

In 2023, transportation once again took the top spot on the emissions scoreboard. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rose sharply. This led to a 7% increase in transportation-related emissions from 2022. We're now almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Game Plan 2028 is calling bold plays to counter this surge. We're supporting electric vehicle (EV) adoption and expanding EV charging infrastructure. We're also promoting cleaner, alternative modes of travel. This will cut emissions at the source and shift the momentum back in our favor. 

Natural Gas in Buildings: The Runner Up in the Emissions Race

Coming in second place for emissions growth in 2023: natural gas use in buildings. Emissions increased by almost 3% from commercial and residential buildings since 2022.  

Why the increase? 

  • More people returned to commercial buildings and schools, boosting energy demand. 
  • Many buildings are older and rely on natural gas for heating, water, and operations. 
  • The shift toward all-electric buildings is still gaining traction. But it hasn’t reached our existing building stock at scale.  

Game Plan 2028 answers the call with aggressive new plays to cut natural gas use. We're focused on existing buildings. Plays include expanded incentives, building upgrades, electrification programs and stronger building codes. The strategy is clear. Phase out fossil fuels in our buildings and move toward a fully electric future.