Climate Change
Addressing climate change in Connecticut will present both challenges and opportunities. Connecticut clearly recognizes that the price of inaction is simply too high to bear. Current science tells us that climate change presents a real threat to the health and safety of everyone who lives, works and plays in Connecticut. However, it is also equally clear that climate change presents us with the opportunity to move our economy in a direction that will help us meet our climate goals while supporting green technology, green jobs and a vibrant sustainable environment that produces the quality of life sought by all New Englanders.
Connecticut state agencies continue to collaborate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut. This collaboration led to the creation of the
Climate Change Action Plan for the state.
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Global Warming Solutions Act |
- By January 2020, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 10% below 1990 levels; and
- By January 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2001 levels.
Pursuant to the GWSA, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is required to:
- Publish on this website a baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions to establish a baseline for such emissions in the state and publish a summary of greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies by December 2009;
- Publish on this website by July 2010 the results of greenhouse gas reduction modeling scenarios, including, but not limited to, the evaluation of potential economic and environmental benefits and opportunities for economic growth based on such scenarios;
- Analyze greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies and, after an opportunity for public comment, make recommendations by July 2011 on which such strategies will achieve the greenhouse gas emission levels specified in the GWSA; and
- Beginning in July 2012 and every three years thereafter, develop with an opportunity for public comment, a schedule of recommended regulatory actions by relevant agencies, policies and other actions necessary to show reasonable further progress towards achieving the greenhouse gas emission levels specified in the GWSA.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies |
The
Draft Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies Table (PDF) - summarizes many potential greenhouse gas reduction strategies for consideration in Connecticut. These are additional federal, regional and state-level strategies that may help the state in its effort to meet its greenhouse gas reduction requirements set forth in the GWSA. The strategies, developed based on extensive public stakeholder processes, are separated into the following categories: Stationary Source Sector, Transportation / Mobile Source Sector and Residential, Commercial and Industrial Sector, and Electric Generation and Transmission Sector. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in coordination with other agencies, will continue to research, evaluate and refine these draft strategies and related information on an ongoing basis with all interested stakeholders.
2009 Connecticut Greenhouse Gas Inventory |
"Mitigation" refers to actions we take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No single economic sector can contribute all the necessary emission reductions needed to meet our climate goals. The reductions have to come from all sectors as well as each one of us who has come to rely on fossil fuels for our energy supply. Transportation and power generation are two sectors with significant opportunities for cost-effective reductions. As the fifth state to adopt mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions (other states include California, New Jersey, Hawaii and Washington), Connecticut is proud to lead the nation in an effort to stop global warming. Please visit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) website or the Connecticut RGGI Workgroup page for more information.
Adapting To Connecticut’s Changing Climate |
"Adaptation" refers to actions we take to avoid, withstand or take advantage of current and projected climate change impacts.
2013 Commissioner's Testimony - Commissioner Esty testified before the General Assembly’s Shoreline Preservation Task Force to discuss challenges facing Long island Sound and the specifics of the task force report.
2011 Draft Connecticut Climate Change Preparedness Plan - In accordance with Public Act No. 08-98, An Act Concerning Connecticut Global Warming Solutions, Section 7 required the Governor’s Steering Committee (GSC) on Climate Change to establish an Adaptation Subcommittee to evaluate the projected impacts of climate change on Connecticut agriculture, infrastructure, natural resources and public health and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts. This report is a response to this legislative requirement. Further preparedness planning and implementation work remains, which will require ongoing cooperative efforts of regional, state and local stakeholders.
The Impacts of Climate Change on Connecticut Agriculture, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Public Health - A 2010 report prepared by the Adaptation Subcommittee of the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change.
Facing Our Future - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection has developed a series of initial climate adaptation fact sheets that detail current observations and provide some cursory recommendations for alternative approaches to foster adaptation at the local and regional level.
Low Carbon Fuel Standard – On December 30, 2009, Connecticut joined ten other states in signing a
Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to analyze low-carbon fuel supply options, determine the feasibility of achieving a range of carbon reduction goals – including a 10 percent reduction in carbon intensity of fuels – and develop a framework for a regional Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in order to ensure sustainable use of renewable fuels in the region. For more information, go to
Governor Rell's Press Release.
2012 DEEP Comprehensive Energy Strategy
Coastal Hazards in Connecticut
CT's Lead by Example program
Energize Connecticut
EPA Web-based training sessions for users of its electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool
CTDEP Comments on EPA's Proposed GHG Tailoring Rule (PDF)
NESCAUM Submitted Comments on EPA's Proposed Tailoring Rule
Climate Change and Waste
Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) - High Electric Demand Days (HEDD), Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), July 2007 (PDF 141 MB)
Connecticut Clean Car Incentive Program, January 2006 (PDF 1.4 MB)
June 2007 letter from Commissioner McCarthy on Climate Change Initiatives (PDF)
Content Last Updated May 8, 2013
