Climate Governance and Equity

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the primary driver of global warming, and reducing emissions levels is key to mitigating the effects of climate change. GHG emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of emissions across all economic sectors, and can apply to carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, and other GHGs. These targets aim to reduce emissions by certain amounts over time, often in the form of a percentage relative to a baseline year. These targets can be set at the local, state, or country level.

Well-designed GHG targets sharply reduce the state’s emissions consistent with the Paris Agreement goals through 2050, and they have short-, intermediate-, and long-term targets. More ambitious targets have steeper emission reductions in the short-term, such as a 2030 target, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Codifying a state’s emissions targets into law can help to ensure that the state takes appropriate action to meet their commitments, in comparison to governor-issued executive orders that can be nullified by future administrations. Effective policies will have provisions for citizens to take legal action if the state fails to meet its targets, and will also require thorough climate planning processes and a state-level GHG inventory.

Request Policy Assistance

Glossary of Terms

States with Policy Enacted

In Progress

Partially Enacted

See States List

Key Resources

Glossary of Terms

States’ Climate Action Map

A map that highlights states with near- and long-term GHG emissions reduction targets and sectoral policy actions.

2024

Source:

UC Berkeley California-China Climate Institute

Turning Climate Commitments into Results

A report that evaluates states’ progress towards their 2025 and 2030 GHG targets.

2023

Source:

Environmental Defense Fund

States with Statutory Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Reporting Requirements

A report and map that tracks states with established GHG emissions reduction goals and targets.

2023

Source:

National Conference of State Legislatures

State Climate Scorecards

Scorecards that illustrate the effect current state policies will have on emissions by 2030 and analyze progress towards meeting climate-aligned emission reduction targets for 20 states.

2023

Source:

Model States

Glossary of Terms

Colorado

26% by 2025 | 50% by 2030 | 65% by 2035 | 75% by 2040 | 90% by 2045 | net-zero by 2050

Relative to 2005 levels

2023

Establishing Policies

Hawai‘i

50% by 2030 | Carbon negative by 2045

Relative to 2005 levels

2022

Establishing Policies

Maryland

60% by 2031 | Net-zero by 2045

Relative to 2006 levels

2022

Establishing Policies

SB 528 - Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (2022)

New York

40% by 2030 | 85% by 2050 | net-zero by 2050

Relative to 1990 levels

2019

Establishing Policies

S6599 - Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (2019)

Glossary of Terms

Filters

Status	State Sort descending	Region	YR Enacted
Not Enacted	Alabama Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Alaska Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Arizona Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Arkansas Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	California Empty column 40% by 2030 \| 85% and carbon neutral by 2045 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies SB-32 (2016) AB 1279 (2022) Empty column	West	2022
Enacted	Colorado Empty column 26% by 2025 \| 50% by 2030 \| 65% by 2035 \| 75% by 2040 \| 90% by 2045 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies HB 19-1261 (2019) SB 23-016 (2023) Empty column	West	2023
Enacted	Connecticut 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) Empty column	Northeast	2018
Enacted	Delaware Empty column 50% by 2030 \| Net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies HB 99 (2023) Empty column	Southeast	2023
Not Enacted	Florida Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Georgia Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Hawai‘i Empty column 50% by 2030 \| Carbon negative by 2045 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Act 15 (HB 2182) (2018) Act 238 (HB 1800 CD2) (2022) Empty column	West	2022
Not Enacted	Idaho Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	West
Enacted	Illinois Empty column 26-28% by 2025 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Order 2019-06 (2019) Empty column	Midwest	2019
Not Enacted	Indiana Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Iowa Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kansas Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kentucky Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Louisiana Empty column 26-28% by 2025 \| 40-50% by 2030 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Order JBE 2020-18 (2020) Empty column	Southeast	2020
Enacted	Maine Empty column 45% by 2030 \| Carbon neutral by 2045 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies L.D. 1679 (2019) L.D. 1429 (2022) Empty column	Northeast	2022
Enacted	Maryland Empty column 60% by 2031 \| Net-zero by 2045 Relative to 2006 levels Establishing Policies SB 528 - Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (2022) Empty column	Southeast	2022
Enacted	Massachusetts Empty column 33% by 2025 \| 50% by 2030 \| 75% by 2040 \| 85% and net-zero by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies S.9 (2021) Empty column	Northeast	2021
Enacted	Michigan Empty column 28% by 2025 \| 52% by 2030 \| Carbon neutral by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Directive 2020-10 (2020) Empty column	Midwest	2020
Enacted	Minnesota Empty column 30% by 2025 \| 50% by 2030 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies SF 145 (2007) HF 2310 (2023) Empty column	Midwest	2023
Not Enacted	Mississippi Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Missouri Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Montana Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Nebraska Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Enacted	Nevada Empty column 28% by 2025 \| 45% by 2030 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies SB 254 (2019) Empty column	West	2019
Not Enacted	New Hampshire Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	New Jersey Empty column 50% by 2030 \| 80% by 2050 Relative to 2006 levels Establishing Policies A3301 - Global Warming Response Act (2007) Executive Order 274 (2021) Empty column	Northeast	2021
Enacted	New Mexico Empty column 45% by 2030 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Order 2019-003 (2019) Empty column	Southwest	2019
Enacted	New York Empty column 40% by 2030 \| 85% by 2050 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies S6599 - Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (2019) Empty column	Northeast	2019
Enacted	North Carolina Empty column 40% by 2025 \| 50% by 2030 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Order 80 (2018) Executive Order 246 (2022) Empty column	Southeast	2022
Enacted	North Dakota Empty column Voluntary goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 Establishing Policies Governor Burgum announces carbon neutral goal (2021) Empty column	Midwest	2021
Not Enacted	Ohio Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Oklahoma Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southwest
Enacted	Oregon Empty column 45% by 2035 \| 75% by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies Chapter 0907 (2007) Executive Order 20-04 (2020) Empty column	West	2020
Enacted	Pennsylvania Empty column 26% by 2025 \| 80% by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Order 2019-01 (2019) Empty column	Northeast	2019
Enacted	Rhode Island Empty column 45% by 2030 \| 80% by 2040 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies CHAPTER 42-6.2 - 2021 Act on Climate (2021) Empty column	Northeast	2021
Not Enacted	South Carolina Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	South Dakota Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Tennessee Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Texas Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Utah Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	West
Enacted	Vermont Empty column 26% by 2025 \| 40% by 2030 \| 80% by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies Act 153 - Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act of 2020 (2020) Empty column	Northeast	2020
Enacted	Virginia Empty column Net-zero by 2045 Establishing Policies Chapter 1192 - Virginia Energy Plan (2020) Empty column	Southeast	2020
Enacted	Washington Empty column 45% by 2030 \| 70% by 2040 \| 95% by 2050 \| net-zero economy by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies Chapter 79, Laws of 2020 (2020) Empty column	West	2020
Not Enacted	West Virginia Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Wisconsin Empty column 26-28% by 2025 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Executive Order 38 (2019) Empty column	Midwest	2019
Not Enacted	Wyoming Empty column Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year. Empty column	West

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets

Key Resources

Model States

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets By State