Maryland national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Maryland was the top state in reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases between 2005 and 2022 according to our new report, released today. Maryland reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 36% and its per capita emissions by 42%.

Nationally, the United States reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 15% and its per capita emissions by 25%. 

The report illustrates that state and regional policies and actions can make a difference. Improving the efficiency of our homes, retiring coal plants, and making cars that pollute less all contributed to the decline we’ve seen. 

Maryland is a member of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an agreement by 11 northeastern and mid-Atlantic states to reduce pollution from power plants. Collectively, the initial 10 RGGI states (excluding Pennsylvania) cut pollution from power plants by 50% from 2005 to 2023, with much of that reduction resulting from the closure of coal-fired power plants.

According to the analysis of data from the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Maryland has reduced its emissions in the electric power sector, industrial sector, agricultural sector, transportation sector and residential sector. The largest decrease was in the electric power sector, cutting emissions by 66% between 2005 and 2022. States that still produce a significant amount of their electricity using coal and gas saw fewer reductions and have high per capita emissions. 

As of 2022, Maryland saw only a 4% reduction in emissions from the residential sector, leaving significant room for improvement. 

The only sector that has seen an increase in emissions in Maryland is the commercial buildings sector, which saw a 23% increase in emissions. In 2022, the majority of CO2 emissions from the commercial sector was from burning fossil fuels for heat and hot water in commercial buildings.

Maryland is in the process of implementing Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) as required under the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. The standards apply to large buildings in the state, including commercial buildings, with a goal of achieving zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Marylanders are benefiting from reduced climate and air pollution as we move away from coal. Now, we need to look towards the next phase of emissions reductions, which will come from powering our homes and buildings with clean, efficient energy, using electric vehicles and making it easier for people to get around by bike and on foot.

To get there, we need to build out more clean energy in state and reduce energy waste. The good news is we no longer need to burn dirty fossil fuels to keep the lights on or our homes warm and a clean energy future powered by the wind and the sun will help ensure the health and security of the climate for future generations