Climate Change
Climate change refers to the anthropogenically-altered (human-caused) shifts in global climate patterns attributed to increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from fossil fuel combustion. Particularly, this coincides with an increase in global surface temperature (global warming). The impacts of climate change threaten Rhode Island's public health, energy supplies, economy, and coastal areas. DEM supports a wide range of programs to reduce in-state emissions in accordance with the 2021 Act on Climate.
Tracking Climate Change
DEM maintains Rhode Island's official inventory of economy-wide GHG emissions. The annual Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Inventory is critical for assessing progress with the economy-wide emissions reduction mandates required by the 2021 Act on Climate. Visit ClimateChange.ri.gov to learn more about the state's efforts to reduce GHG emissions and build climate resiliency.
Reducing Emissions
Climate change is a global issue that requires regional and local solutions. In addition to responding at the state level, DEM collaborates with neighboring states to mitigate climate change.
- Learn about the many mobile sources programs that reduce transportation sector air pollution and GHG emissions.
- Rhode Island participates in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the first mandatory market-based program in the U.S. to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fueled power plants. The regional initiative has reduced collective emissions by more than 50% since 2018.
- Rhode Island is taking action to phase down the use of certain high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).