Climate Change Initiative: Prairie Village City Council approves plan to be a zero greenhouse gas emissions city by 2050

The Prairie Village City Council approved a plan in November 2023 that calls for zero greenhouse gas emissions caused by city operations by 2050.

All buildings, facilities and vehicles used by the city will release zero carbon emissions. Ward 5 City Council member and incoming Environmental Committee Chair Greg Shelton hopes that the city will serve as a model for residents to follow. 

“It is important to be able to give people more specific examples about how we utilize things like micrograding or solar energy,” Shelton said. “That sort of small scale solar installation can be used in a neighborhood setting are important pieces that I want to see [Prairie Village residents] at least consider if not implement.”

Beginning in 2021, the Environmental Committee has focused on two main areas: sustainability and decarbonization. 

Sustainability has been approached through projects and programs that are meant to ensure that the resources Prairie Village residents are consuming are used in ways that guarantees that future generations are able to have access to the same resources. Current projects focus on managing resources through water conservation, water management and storm water runoff. 

Youth Council member sophomore Brynn Bettenhausen supports the initiative and hopes that it will result in more sustainable infrastructure throughout the city.

“I think the climate plan put forth by the council is a great step in the right direction,” Bettenhausen said. “And it’s really quite progressive when compared to actions of other smaller sized cities.”

Decarbonization is focused on the carbon dioxide emissions that come from operating the city on a day to day basis. Its objective concerns the facilities owned and operated by the city such as the pool complex, City Hall, police department or Public Works buildings.

In October of 2021 the council also unanimously agreed for Prairie Village to be a part of the Cities Race to Zero initiative. This initiative states that the city will be a net zero emissions city by 2050 or sooner.

“By having this plan and understanding that we’re working incrementally toward this net zero goal we’re able to make more informed choices on which projects to prioritize as a city,” Shelton said. “We can evaluate the environmental and sustainability benefits that those can bring to our decarbonization goals.”

These projects will lead to more energy and water efficiency. New facilities will be designed to reduce consumption of resources, making operating costs lower than they currently are. 

According to Shelton, there are situations where the construction costs are higher, but the lifecycle operating costs have higher efficiency and longevity, helping to move Prairie Village into the future through green technology.