Northeast

Connecticut

Connecticut established the nation’s first green bank in 2011 and has since leveraged more than $2.43 billion of clean energy investments into the state’s economy. From 2001-2021, the state reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. Connecticut has no fossil fuel reserves but more than half of the state’s generated electricity is sourced from natural gas. Connecticut uses less energy per-capita than 46 other states.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2001 levels

2030

45%

2050

80%

Governor

Ned Lamont (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

2/7/24 - 5/8/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

31

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 6 policy areas

See all

31

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

See all

Northeast

9 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted
In-progress
Partially Enacted
Not Enacted

Glossary of Terms

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	YR Enacted
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column Building a Low Carbon Future for Connecticut Establishing Policies Executive Order 46 (2015) Building a Low Carbon Future for Connecticut (2018)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2018
Enacted	Climate Advisory Bodies Empty column Governor's Council on Climate Change Establishing Policies Executive Order 46 (2015) Executive Order 3 (2019) Governor's Council on Climate Change	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2019
Not Enacted	Climate Bureaucracy Empty column Climate bureaucracy consists of dedicated climate offices and staff, interagency working groups, task forces, and other bodies made up of government staff. These bodies are often responsible for writing a state's climate plan and implementing the policies and strategies identified to meet its climate targets.	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance
Enacted	Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column 45% by 2030 \| 80% by 2050 Relative to 2001 levels Establishing Policies Public Act No. 08-98 (2008) Public Act No. 18-82 (2018)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2018
Enacted	State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Empty column The 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in April 2024. Establishing Policies Public Act No. 08-98 (2008) Public Act No. 18-82 (2018) 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (2024)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2024
Enacted	Cumulative Impact Assessment Empty column Allows the state to deny or impose specific conditions on permits for new construction and operation of proposed industrial facilities based on a determination that cumulative environmental or public health stressors on EJ communities near the proposed facility are higher than other communities in the state. Establishing Policies SB 1147 (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2023
Enacted	Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies Empty column Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council Equity and Environmental Justice Working Group Establishing Policies Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council Equity and Environmental Justice Working Group	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Bureaucracy Empty column DEEP – Environmental Justice Program Staff Establishing Policies DEEP – Environmental Justice Program Staff	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Definitions Empty column "Environmental justice communities" are census block groups where at least 30% of the population is living below 200% of the federal poverty level, or municipalities that are the most fiscally and economically distressed, based on tax base, personal income, and residents' need for public services. Establishing Policies CT Gen Stat § 22a-20a (2012)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2012
Not Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Investment Requirements Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities.	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Empty column Connecticut EJ Screening Tool Connecticut EJ Communities Establishing Policies Connecticut EJ Communities (2023) Connecticut EJ Screening Tool (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2023
Not Enacted	Just Transition Advisory Bodies Empty column Just transition advisory bodies write or advise on a state's just transition plan or report, and make recommendations on ways to support affected workers, communities, and industries. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Funds Empty column Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Offices and Staff Empty column Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Plans Empty column Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition

Connecticut

Key Offices & Links

31

31

Northeast

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Connecticut