Helena Joyce
San Francisco has been taking steps to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. The city's air quality is rated as good on the United States Air Quality Index (US AQI), with a PM2.5 concentration of 7.1 μg/m3 in 2019, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target. This can be attributed to its coastal location, natural topography, and lack of factories and industrial plants. However, the city still faces air pollution, primarily from transportation emissions and wildfires, which can cause spikes in pollution levels during summer and fall. To combat this, San Francisco has implemented various measures, such as transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving transportation options, and tightening regulations on industrial activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality | "Good" according to the United States Air Quality Index (US AQI) |
| PM2.5 Level | 7.1 μg/m3 (2019) |
| Comparison to Other Cities | Better than Los Angeles, London, and Paris |
| Causes of Air Pollution | Transportation emissions, wildfires, industrial production, and natural temperature inversions |
| Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution | Transition to renewable energy, regulation of industrial activity, use of cleaner construction equipment, and wildfire prevention |
What You'll Learn
Encouraging the use of public transport
San Francisco has implemented a range of strategies to encourage the use of public transport and reduce air pollution. Firstly, the city has prioritized the development of its public transportation system, making it an attractive and efficient option for commuters. This includes improving local and regional transit systems, such as buses, trains, and subways, as well as promoting active modes of transportation like walking and cycling. The "Transit First" policy, for instance, gives priority to public transportation and aims to make it the primary mode of access to employment centers.
Another strategy is the implementation of transportation demand management programs. These programs aim to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport. This can be achieved through various measures such as providing amenities for cyclists and pedestrians, improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and offering incentives for carpooling.
The city has also focused on land-use planning and transportation planning policies that discourage the use of private vehicles. This includes limiting long-term parking in the downtown area and implementing pricing strategies that discourage commuter parking. Additionally, mixed-use development, where residential, commercial, and retail spaces are located close to public transportation, can help reduce the need for private vehicles.
Furthermore, San Francisco has recognized the impact of automobile tailpipe emissions on air quality. To address this, the city has promoted the use of cleaner-burning automobile engines and fuels that emit fewer pollutants. This includes encouraging the use of electric vehicles and providing incentives for their adoption.
The city has also implemented stricter regulations on industrial sources of air pollution, ensuring that new developments are reviewed and permitted with air quality impacts in mind. Additionally, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District plays a crucial role in monitoring and regulating air pollution in the region, ensuring compliance with federal and state air quality standards.
Overall, by encouraging the use of public transport and implementing a range of complementary strategies, San Francisco is working towards reducing air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its residents.
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Reducing emissions from cars and trucks
San Francisco has implemented a range of measures to reduce emissions from cars and trucks, which are the primary sources of air pollution in the city.
One key strategy is the adoption of stricter vehicle emissions standards and tighter regulatory controls on automobiles. This includes a focus on cleaner-burning engines and fuels that emit fewer pollutants. The city has also implemented a “Transit First” policy, which prioritises public transit and encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation such as carpooling, walking, and bicycling. This is supported by initiatives such as the Transportation Demand Management Program, which requires development projects to provide on-site amenities that support sustainable modes of transport and reduce single-occupancy driving trips.
In addition, San Francisco has implemented a Clean Construction Ordinance, requiring public projects to reduce emissions at construction sites, particularly in areas with high levels of background air pollutants. The city also encourages the use of electric vehicles and has set a target to transition to 100% greenhouse gas-free transportation by 2040.
To further reduce vehicle emissions, San Francisco has also focused on land-use planning and transportation policies that discourage the use of private automobiles. This includes measures such as limiting new long-term parking in the downtown area and implementing pricing strategies to discourage commuter parking. The city also plans to improve its transit system by increasing the frequency of service and expanding coverage to accommodate future growth and reduce automobile trips.
By implementing these measures, San Francisco aims to improve air quality, protect public health, and facilitate economic growth.
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Reducing industrial pollution
San Francisco has taken several measures to reduce industrial pollution and improve air quality.
Firstly, the city has actively discouraged the use of automobiles and promoted alternative modes of transportation. This includes implementing the "Transit First" policy, prioritizing public transit, and encouraging walking, bicycling, and carpooling. The city has also developed bicycle routes and walking networks, making these modes of transportation safer and more attractive to residents.
In addition, San Francisco has adopted tighter regulatory controls on industrial activities and sources of air pollutants. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) plays a crucial role in regulating and enforcing stationary control measures for industrial sources of pollution. The city also encourages the development of non-polluting industries and ensures compliance with industrial emission control regulations.
To reduce pollution from construction sites, the city has implemented the Clean Construction Ordinance, requiring the use of cleaner construction equipment and practices. This includes the mandatory use of electric or low-emission vehicles and equipment, as well as dust control measures such as spraying water on construction sites and covering dirt piles.
Furthermore, the city has addressed indoor air quality by reducing the use of harmful household products, such as aerosol sprays, paints, and solvents, which can contribute to air pollution inside homes and offices.
The city has also taken steps to improve energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy sources. This includes retrofitting existing commercial and residential facilities to meet energy conservation standards and replacing diesel buses with electric or low-emission alternatives.
Overall, San Francisco's efforts to reduce industrial pollution and improve air quality involve a combination of regulatory measures, infrastructure development, public education, and the promotion of sustainable practices.
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Using cleaner construction equipment
San Francisco has implemented a range of measures to reduce air pollution, including the use of cleaner construction equipment. The city has recognized that, while many areas enjoy good air quality, there are specific locations, such as those close to freeways, ports, or industrial activities, where air pollution is more concentrated.
Since the mid-1990s, federal and state governments have required the manufacture of cleaner construction equipment, resulting in a 96% reduction in harmful emissions from older off-road diesel construction models to the current standards. The California Air Resources Board requires owners of construction equipment to register all off-road equipment in their fleets, such as bulldozers, excavators, and compactors. The planning department has been tracking the availability of clean construction equipment since 2010, and the data shows a more than fourfold increase in the amount of clean construction equipment available since 2010.
In addition, about three-quarters of the construction equipment in the Bay Area meets the strictest health-protective off-road diesel standards or is electric. This shift towards cleaner construction equipment is especially important for San Francisco, as construction sites are often located in areas with high levels of background air pollution and close to sensitive populations such as children and the elderly.
To further reduce air pollution, the City and County of San Francisco have implemented the Clean Construction Ordinance. This ordinance requires public projects to reduce emissions at construction sites, especially in areas with high levels of background air pollution. The Planning Department has developed guidance and templates to assist city agencies in complying with the Clean Construction Ordinance, including:
- Clean Construction Ordinance Guidance
- Clean Construction Ordinance Requirements Template
- Clean Construction Equipment Inventory Template
- Clean Construction Emissions Plan Certification Template
- Clean Construction Sign Template
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Promoting renewable energy sources
San Francisco has been taking steps to promote renewable energy sources and reduce its air pollution. The city has set ambitious goals to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings by 2035. Here are some ways San Francisco is promoting renewable energy sources:
Incentivising Renewable Energy Adoption
The city has implemented various initiatives to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources. For example, the San Francisco Environment Department's 100% Renewable Electricity for Commercial Buildings Ordinance requires large commercial buildings to obtain all their electricity from renewable sources. This initiative not only reduces air pollution but also helps San Francisco work towards its goal of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings by 2035.
CleanPowerSF
CleanPowerSF is a community choice energy program offered by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. It provides renewable, affordable, and accessible energy to 385,000 customers across San Francisco. CleanPowerSF has secured its largest-ever single source of wind power through a new power purchase agreement with Scout Clean Energy. This addition of wind power, along with their previous largest source of wind power from the Gonzaga Ridge Wind Farm, helps CleanPowerSF provide clean and sustainable energy to its customers.
All-Electric Construction Ordinance
In 2020, the city of San Francisco adopted an all-electric new construction ordinance, prohibiting the installation of gas piping systems. This ordinance mandates that all indoor and outdoor space conditioning, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying systems in new constructions be all-electric. This initiative not only reduces air pollution but also contributes to the city's goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy.
Bicycle Strategy and Better Streets Plan
The San Francisco Bicycle Strategy, created in 2013, proposes specific improvements to the bicycle route network, aiming to make bicycling a more attractive alternative to private auto use. Additionally, the Better Streets Plan, adopted in 2006, established standards, guidelines, and implementation strategies to promote walking, cycling, and transit use over single-occupancy vehicle use, thereby reducing local air pollution.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies
San Francisco has developed plans and programs to reduce its contribution to global climate change and meet long-term climate stabilization goals. For example, Ordinance 117-02 established the "0-80-100-Roots" framework, which defines climate and sustainability goals in zero waste, transportation, energy, and carbon sequestration. The city's 2021 Climate Action Plan charts a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while addressing racial and social equity, public health, economic recovery, and community resilience.
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Frequently asked questions
The air quality in San Francisco is rated as "good" on the United States Air Quality Index (US AQI). In 2019, the city averaged an annual PM2.5 concentration of 7.1 μg/m3, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target for annual PM2.5.
The primary sources of air pollution in San Francisco are transportation emissions from cars, trucks, planes, and ships, as well as seasonal wildfires. While transportation emissions are a constant source, wildfires typically cause extreme air quality events.
Consistent exposure to high levels of air pollution can lead to preventable health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, coronary heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems are particularly vulnerable.
The City and County of San Francisco have implemented various measures to reduce air pollution and protect residents' health. This includes requiring enhanced ventilation in new residential constructions near sources of air pollution, mandating the use of cleaner construction equipment, adopting an all-electric new construction ordinance, and developing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Individuals can contribute by limiting their use of private vehicles, especially single-occupant automobiles. Instead, they can prioritize public transit, carpooling, walking, or bicycling. Additionally, they can reduce their use of common household products that contribute to indoor air pollution, such as aerosol sprays, paints, and solvents.
