Maine Achieves Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals
Maine, which has legislated four climate change mitigation goals, has successfully met its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10% of 1990 levels by 2020. State law further mandates a 45% reduction by 2030, 80% by 2050, and carbon neutrality by 2045.
A recent report has revealed that Maine is already 91% of the way towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The state has consistently met its 10% reduction goal since 2016. However, the impact of the pandemic on the 2020 emissions, counted at 21.6 million metric tons, remains uncertain.
Data up to December 31, 2021, showed emission levels had rebounded but remained below pre-pandemic levels, proving that Maine achieved its 10% reduction goal, stated Stacy Knapp of the Department, during a Maine Climate Council briefing.
“While our emissions did rebound after the pandemic, they remained lower than the 2019 level. Six percent lower, to be precise. As of 2021, we see a 30% reduction in gross greenhouse gas emissions from those 1990 levels,” Knapp said.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Maine
In 1990, Maine emitted 31.4 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents. Emissions initially increased, peaking at 37.1 million metric tons in 2002, before declining below 1990 levels by 2009. As of 2021, emissions have dropped to 21.9 million tons, which is 30% below the 1990 levels.
However, Maine still has a long road ahead to reach its next target of 17.3 million tons (a 45% cut) in the coming six years. The state plans continued work towards its 2030 and 2050 reduction goals, but specifics have not been shared.
Unlike emission reduction, carbon neutrality can be achieved by both cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sinks, which absorb atmospheric carbon. Carbon-neutral jurisdictions make no net contribution of CO2 to the atmosphere. Jurisdictions worldwide, including Boston, New York, Hawaii, Sweden, France, and Costa Rica have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century.
Practically, this often includes reducing the burning of fossil fuels and creating carbon-offsets. This offsets can be created by planting trees, promoting salt marshes, and other actions which absorb and sequester CO2. Maine has achieved 91% of its 2045 neutrality goal by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, using less fossil fuel, and increasing sequestration in the environment, particularly in areas like salt marshes and eelgrass beds and Maine forests.
Maine’s Forests as Carbon Sinks
About 89% of Maine’s land is forested, absorbing 22.2 million tons of atmospheric greenhouse gases. However, as some trees are cut down for timber or fuel, Maine’s woodlands also contribute 4.4 million tons of emissions to the atmosphere.
In total, 14.5 million tons of carbon are sequestered in Maine forests, and are not readily releasable. All of Maine’s carbon sinks combined cancel out 91.3% of Maine’s 1990 gross greenhouse gas emissions, leaving roughly 1.4 million metric tons of emissions in the atmosphere to trap the sun’s heat and contribute to climate change.
Two years ago, Maine’s carbon budget estimated the state was 75% on its way to carbon neutrality. The statistics have improved due to in-state emissions reductions and changes in how the U.S. Forest Service and Maine researchers calculate forest carbon.
Maine’s largest source of emissions is energy consumption, with 65% of those emissions coming from the combustion of petroleum products. CO2 emissions are declining, but emissions from fossil fuel use remained the same from 2019 through 2021, stated Knapp. Furthermore, petroleum still heats more than 60% of residential buildings in Maine.
“This is great news to celebrate, but we clearly have work to do,” concluded Knapp.
Original Story at www.pressherald.com