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
Not Enacted	Buy Clean Requirements Empty column Buy clean requirements mandate or incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as concrete and steel, in public projects to address embodied carbon.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Industrial Decarbonization
Enacted	Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Regulations Empty column The state prohibits the use of certain HFCs in refrigeration equipment, air conditioning chillers, aerosol propellants, and foams that are manufactured or used in Massachusetts. Establishing Policies 310 CMR 7.76 (2020)	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	F-gas Regulations	2020
Enacted	Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Regulations Empty column The state sets a maximum annual SF6 leak rate of 1%, and requires owners to maintain their equipment in accordance with industry standards to reduce leakage of SF6. Establishing Policies 310 CMR 7.72 (2017)	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	F-gas Regulations	2017
Enacted	Oil and Gas Methane Regulations Empty column Natural gas operators must meet annual declining methane emission limits. Establishing Policies 310 CMR 7.73 (2021)	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Oil and Gas Regulations	2021
Not Enacted	Fracking Bans Empty column Fracking bans prohibit the practice of hydraulic fracking for the production of oil and/or natural gas by a certain year. Legislation often requires an environmental agency or department to promulgate regulations.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Oil and Gas Regulations
Not Enacted	Landfill Methane Regulations Empty column Landfill methane regulations include rulemakings, emissions monitoring, emissions control, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from decaying organic waste in landfills.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Waste Management
Enacted	Food Waste Bans and Targets Empty column Food waste ban – The state requires businesses and institutions that generate more than 0.5 tons of food waste per week to dispose of organic material via composting or anaerobic digestion. Establishing Policies 310 CMR 19.017 (2014)	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Waste Management	2014

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