46
4.4.12 SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG12
Data
N
Minimum
Maximum
Mean
Houston
Toxic
releases
lbs per square mile
100
3.5
33,728.9
1432.9
9601.7
Source: (Espey et al. 2018). Toxic releases 2016 data
Toxic industrial waste released into the air, water,
or land was used as the metric for this indicator.
The Houston metro reported 9601.7 lbs per
square mile of toxic releases. This was higher
than the national average among metros of 1432.9
lbs/sqml. The best performing metro was
McAllen, Texas which reported only 3.5lbs/sqml
of toxic releases. Houston ranks 97th in the
nation on this measure. The global 2030 target is
to reach 13.4lbs/sqml of toxic releases.
4.4.13 SDG13: Climate Action
SDG13
Data
N
Minimum Maximum Mean Houston
Household carbon
footprint
TCO2e per capita 100
12.4
51.4
22.9
33.7
Source: (Espey et al. 2018). Household carbon footprint 2013
The Houston metro’s reported total carbon emissions per capita was 33.7  in 2013. The average
among metros in the nation was below Houston
at 22.9. The best performing metro was Akron,
Ohio with a reported 12.4 carbon emissions
equivalents per capita. Houston ranks 89th in the
nation on this measure. The 2030 target is to
reduce carbon emissions per capita to 1.7.
4.4.14 SDG15: Life on Land
SDG15
Data
N
Minimum Maximum Mean Houston
Open space
sq-meters per capita 87
14.9
226.0
84.5
NC
Brownfield and
Superfunds
Sites per square mile 100
0.0
0.5
0.1
0.04
Source: (Espey et al. 2018). Open space 2016 data. EPA CleanUp sites 2018 data
D. B. Abraham