Outreach Results on 2031 GHG Reduction Planning
Main_Content
In June 2023, the Maryland Department of the Environment released the
Maryland Climate Pathway Report. The report is based on detailed analysis and modeling by the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland; the report, and discussions with stakeholders around the state, will inform a statewide plan due to the Governor and General Assembly by the end of December 2023.
The plan is being designed to reach the state's climate goals: reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by 60 percent by 2031 and reach net-zero emissions by 2045, as required by the Climate Solutions Now Act. The Pathway Report estimated that if all current state and federal policies were implemented, the state would achieve a 51 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2031, compared to the state’s target of 60 percent. The gap of 10.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent must be closed through additional policy measures and incentives.
With the Pathway Report's release, the Maryland Department of the Environment announced that a series of outreach events were planned this summer and early fall to encourage public participation in the development of the State’s plan to achieve its climate goals.
“We want to hear from everyone as we form a robust plan to combat climate change head-on,” said MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain. “Making Maryland a global leader on this critical issue requires an all-of-society and all-of-government approach.”
Now that the outreach sessions and the comment period have concluded, MDE thanks the thousands of Marylanders who participated in the process and commented on aspects of the report and ideas for the 2031 statewide Greenhouse Gas Reduction P
lan.
Here are the
presentation slides used at the Outreach Sessions. Thanks to those from 17 counties and the City of Baltimore who submitted comments on the Pathway Report and the Plan. You can read them here.
Contact Susan.Casey1@maryland.gov
