North Carolina
Governor
Josh Stein (Democrat)
House Party
Republican Majority
Senate Party
Republican Majority
Key Offices & Links
23
39
Southeast
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
- In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
- Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
- Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in North Carolina
Climate Policies in North Carolina
| Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | Year Enacted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enacted |
Empty column
40% by 2025 | 50% by 2030 | net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
North Carolina Deep Decarbonization Pathways Analysis Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The 1990-2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was published in January 2024. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
NC Climate Change Interagency Council Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2018 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
"Underserved populations" are census block groups where (1) at least 50% of residents are non-White or which have a non-White population 10% higher than the county or state share; and (2) where 20% of the population is experiencing poverty and the share of households in poverty is at least 5% higher than the county or state share. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2022 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
N.C. Environmental Justice Hub DEQ North Carolina Community Mapping System Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Cabinet Agencies Environmental Justice and Equity Leads NCDEQ – Environmental Justice Coordinator Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2022 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Environmental Justice Advisory Council Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
North Carolina Clean Energy Fund Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Climate Finance | 2020 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
State agencies are encouraged to incorporate the social cost of carbon into agency decision-making processes that impact greenhouse gas emissions. Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | 2022 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
10% renewable energy by 2018 for munis and coops | 12.5% renewable energy by 2021 for investor-owned utilities (IOUs) Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2007 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
70% reduction by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, and carbon-neutral emissions by 2050 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
North Carolina Clean Energy Plan Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2019 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
North Carolina received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Requires the securitization of 50% of the remaining value of all subcritical coal-fired generating facilities, with the remaining costs to be recovered through energy rates Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2015 IECC. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2018 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2015 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with amendments. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2018 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Public electric utilities in the state must obtain renewable energy power and energy efficiency savings of 12.5% of 2020 retail sales in 2021 and thereafter. 40% of this requirement can be met with energy efficiency measures annually. Gas utilities are not subject to an EERS. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2007 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
North Carolina has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation, but does not have active programs. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Agencies must prioritize ZEVs when purchasing new passenger vehicles Agencies must prioritize medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs when purchasing new MHD vehicles Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2018 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
N.C. Clean Transportation Plan North Carolina Zero Emission Vehicle Plan 2022 Progress Update Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The Agriculture Cost Share Program (ACSP) provides financial assistance to help address nonpoint source pollution, including soil health measures. Establishing Policies
|
Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture | 1984 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The Agriculture Cost Share Program (ACSP) provides technical assistance to help address nonpoint source pollution, including soil health measures. Establishing Policies
|
Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture | 1984 |