Climate Partners Issue Preliminary Recommendations for Equitably Reaching State’s Ambitious Climate Goals
On May 15, Maryland Climate Partners submitted its Preliminary Priorities for how to reach Maryland’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 60 percent by 2031 and achieving net zero by 2045. Endorsed by 34 organizations and addressed to the Secretary of the Environment, the letter consists of recommendations for emissions reductions in the transportation, electricity generation, and buildings sectors with a focus on equitable solutions. The solutions involve strategies that significantly reduce pollution and are also designed to ensure benefits reach Maryland’s overburdened and underserved communities.
A few examples include setting a state goal for reduction of vehicle miles traveled, better incentivizing fuel switching away from fossil fuels, and implementing a cross-agency, community-based, whole-home retrofit program to improve health, safety, and economic outcomes for households in Maryland’s low-income households.
The passage of the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) of 2022 made Maryland a national leader in GHG reduction goals. The CSNA set out goals but did not elaborate how they would be reached. Now the state is drafting its CSNA plan for how to reach 60% GHG emissions reductions by 2031 and net zero by 2045. The final plan is expected in December and will be developed with input from the public.
Maryland Climate Partners developed its preliminary policy recommendations to inform the development of Maryland’s CSNA Plan, soliciting input from within its membership as well as from other community partners. Over twenty organizations participated in technical working groups, and an additional one hundred people provided written or verbal input. Climate Partners is also working with the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) to model the emissions reduction impacts, as well as societal benefits, of the recommendations. They benefited from input and review from the Center for Climate Strategies, National Housing Trust, and RMI.
Climate Partners plans to stay involved and engage in exchanges with MDE and participating agencies this summer and fall, once the draft plan has been released and the commissioned modeling has been completed.
As the document states, “Full and equitable implementation of the CSNA will mean a healthier future for everyone in our state. Climate Partners is deeply invested in this future, and is proud to submit this preliminary priorities document.”
Have a read of the exciting recommendations for equitably transitioning to clean energy and lowering transportation and building emissions.
Climate Partners welcomes new groups and individuals. To join Climate Partners, email ceciliaplante@verizon.net. Joining entails registering for the listserv, commiting to regular participation in monthly calls, and participating in advancing the evolving shared platform.