In a report released last month, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection found that the levels of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 were 20 percent lower than 1990 levels. This significantly exceeds the medium-term goal the state had set for a 10 percent reduction by January 1, 2020. According to the report, the state is on pace to meet its statutory goals of a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050. The report also suggests that with continued progress in reducing gross greenhouse gas emissions, Maine is well-positioned to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
The Ninth Biennial Report on Progress Toward Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals was the first that quantified the carbon sequestration benefits of the state’s forests, fields, and wetlands. Taking this carbon sequestration into account, the report found that Maine is approximately 75 percent of the way toward carbon neutrality.
Additional information on the report is available in this press release or the full report can be accessed here.
