Northeast

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has experienced a 36% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990-2021. The state is home to almost half of the residents in New England and it consumes more than 17 times the amount of energy it produces, although it has the fourth lowest per-capita emissions. Since the largest contributors to the state’s GDP (finance, insurance, real estate, and professional and business services) are not energy-intensive, Massachusetts is ranked 49th in energy used per dollar of GDP, less than any other state besides New York.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2005 levels

2025 :

33%

2030 :

50%

2040 :

75%

2050 :

85%

2050 :

Net-zero

Governor

Maura Healey (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Supermajority

Senate Party

Democratic Supermajority

Legislative session

1/3/24 - 7/31/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

45

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

17

Policy Opportunities

across 5 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	Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets 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)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2021
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column 2025 and 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan Establishing Policies Chapter 298 of the Acts of 2008 (2008) S.9 (2021) 2025 and 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (2022) 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2022
Enacted	State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Empty column The 1990-2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in March 2023. Establishing Policies Global Warming Solutions Act (2008) 1990-2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2023
Enacted	Climate Bureaucracy Empty column Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience Establishing Policies Executive Order 604 (2023) Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2023
Enacted	Climate Advisory Bodies Empty column Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee Establishing Policies Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2012
Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Definitions Empty column "Environmental justice populations" are neighborhoods where the median household income is 65% or less of the statewide median, minorities comprise 40% or more of the population, 25% or more of households lack English proficiency, or minorities comprise 25% of the population and the median household income does not exceed 150%. Establishing Policies S.9 - Creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy (2021)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2021
Enacted	Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Empty column Massachusetts 2020 EJ Populations Establishing Policies Massachusetts 2020 EJ Populations (2020)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2020
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 Bureaucracy Empty column EEA – Environmental Justice Task Force EEA – Undersecretary of Environmental Justice & Equity EEA – Director and Deputy Director of Environmental Justice DEP – Director of Environmental Justice DPU – Environmental Justice Contact Establishing Policies EEA Environmental Justice Task Force EEA – Undersecretary of Environmental Justice & Equity (2023) DEP – Director of Environmental Justice DPU – Environmental Justice Contact	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies Empty column Environmental Justice Council Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Council	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Cumulative Impact Assessment Empty column Requires certain facilities seeking air emissions permits in or near communities with EJ populations to conduct a cumulative impact analysis that includes meaningful public involvement of EJ populations. Establishing Policies 310 CMR 7.02(14) (2024)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2024
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
Enacted	Just Transition Offices and Staff Empty column Office of Energy Transformation within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Establishing Policies Healey-Driscoll Administration Establishes Nation’s First Office of Energy Transformation (2024) Office of Energy Transformation	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition	2024
Enacted	Just Transition Advisory Bodies Empty column Energy Transformation Advisory Board Establishing Policies Healey-Driscoll Office of Energy Transformation Announces Advisory Board (2024) Energy Transformation Advisory Board	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition	2024
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

Massachusetts

Key Offices & Links

45

17

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 Massachusetts