Figure 4 - Overall GHG emissions from our fleet of vehicles and equipment have dropped by 26 % between FY2010 and FY2021 .
If we use the trend over the past 12 years of 2.32 % reduction in GHG emissions per year , Mount Auburn will still fall short of our carbon neutrality goal by FY2050 . Therefore , we are making a prediction .
Achieving zero carbon emissions before 2050 is expected given the rapid advances in the types of green power sources becoming available - both in renewable electricity and in ‘ green hydrogen ’. This accelerated trend indicates an improvement of 14 % per year . It may require greater financial investment , but prices for electrical vehicles are dropping .
Additionally , the rapid improvements in equipment itself are very encouraging ; therefore , without hesitation , zero carbon emissions ( in fact , fossil-fuel free ) from the mobile fleet is completely do-able by 2050 or before .
Figure 5 - Achieving zero carbon emissions before 2050 is expected given the rapid advances in the types of green power sources becoming available - both in renewable electricity and in ‘ green hydrogen ’. Zero carbon emissions ( in fact , fossil-fuel free ) from the mobile fleet is completely doable by 2050 or before .
Mount Auburn will continue to closely monitor the changing technology and convert to cleaner equipment as it passes the ‘ work ’ test . Making this transition may require an infusion of capital to reach carbon-neutrality . Some of Mount Auburn ’ s vehicles that transport people rather than perform ‘ hard work ’ on the grounds could be transitioned first . Those vehicles used by Cemetery and Visitor Services , for example , could be transitioned to electric ones after determining where and when charging stations may be installed .
Mount Auburn Cemetery | Climate Action & Sustainability Plan 11