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VENTURA — The County of Ventura has been selected to receive the 2026 Beacon Gold Vanguard Award from the Institute for Local Government in recognition of its work to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a more sustainable community. The award recognizes years of progress in County government operations and across the wider community. One of the County’s most notable achievements is a 29% drop in communitywide greenhouse gas emissions since 2015.
The County of Ventura’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory shows that annual emissions fell from about 1.71 million metric tons in 2015 to 1.22 million metric tons in 2024. This reduction of nearly 490,000 metric tons is roughly equal to taking more than 100,000 cars off the road for an entire year. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change, and the inventory tracks estimated emissions from transportation, buildings, agriculture, waste, and other sources across Ventura County. The reductions reflect changes made throughout the community, including cleaner vehicles, more electric vehicles, and cleaner sources of electricity. Emissions from cars and trucks dropped by 60%, while emissions from electricity use in buildings fell by 62%. These results reflect the combined impact of local actions, state policies, new technology and changes in how people and businesses use energy.
The community has also made progress in expanding clean energy and transportation options. Over the past 10 years, Ventura County has added more than 69,000 kilowatts of solar power capacity, increasing local solar energy generation by 288%. Electric vehicle adoption has also grown, rising from 4,435 vehicles in 2016 to more than 40,700 in 2024. The County is also expanding solar energy at its own government facilities. County properties now have a combined 12,415 kilowatts of solar power capacity, including a new 5.8-megawatt solar panel system at the Ventura County Government Center parking lot. These investments help the County produce more renewable energy locally and support its long-term sustainability goals.
“Ventura County is demonstrating what sustained climate leadership looks like. By cutting communitywide greenhouse gas emissions, expanding clean energy, and investing in cleaner transportation, the County is turning long-term climate goals into measurable results,” said Erica Manuel, CEO and Executive Director of the Institute for Local Government. “We’re proud to recognize the progress they’ve made and the example they’re setting for communities across California.”
The Beacon Gold Vanguard Award recognizes the County’s years of work to reduce energy use and emissions from its own operations. The County’s achievements include an 11% increase in energy savings in 2016, a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from County operations in 2017, and a 14% increase in natural gas savings in 2019. The County also earned platinum-level recognition for sustainability best practices in 2016 and 2017, along with platinum-level recognition for its 29% communitywide emissions reduction in 2026.
“Our community’s sustainability progress reflects years of committed collaborative action across Ventura County,” stated Alejandra Tellez, Sustainability Officer. “This award honors not only the County’s leadership but also the residents, businesses, and partners who make cleaner air, healthier neighborhoods, and long?term resilience a shared priority. As we advance our Climate Action Plan, we remain focused on practical solutions that reduce emissions and build a more sustainable future for Ventura County. We are proud of how far we’ve come, and we are equally committed to the important work that lies ahead.”
The County’s achievements in sustainability progress are a result of the County’s Climate Action Plan, adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2020, which helps guide efforts to reduce emissions and protect the environment. An update presented to the Board on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, showed that 68 of the plan’s 81 programs related to sustainability had been started or completed as of December 2025, up from 63 in 2024. These programs focus on cleaner energy, transportation, waste reduction, and other ways to support a more sustainable future.
While the County has made significant progress, more work is needed to meet the County’s established climate goals. Emissions from solid waste, off-road transportation, and natural gas use in buildings have increased since 2015. The County will continue tracking emissions and reviewing its programs as it works toward its goal of reducing communitywide greenhouse gas emissions by 41% by 2030.
Residents can learn more about the County’s climate efforts and view the latest emissions data online. The County’s Climate Action Plan website includes annual progress reports and information about local programs. Visit ecap.venturacounty.gov for more information.