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State and Local Governments
State and local governments play an important role in meeting the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012. They are participating in national voluntary programs and initiatives, analyzing the costs and benefits of actions and developing and applying innovative programs and strategies that achieve wide-ranging benefits to businesses, the environment and public health. EPA supports states and communities in these activities by encouraging voluntary approaches and providing technical assistance and tools.
This section of the site provides details on actions by states and efforts by local agencies to address climate change, along with links to relevant EPA voluntary programs that can help states and localities meet their goals. It also provides a directory of tools that can help state and local governments inventory their greenhouse gas emissions, analyze greenhouse gas reduction opportunities and quantify the energy, environmental and economic benefits of lowering greenhouse gases. More information on the role of state and local governments can be found below:
State Climate Actions
States are developing and implementing a range of programs and strategies
that are cost-effectively reducing greenhouse gases, improving air quality,
enhancing economic development and creating jobs. Learn more about the following
steps that states are taking:
- State and Regional Climate Actions Maps: These maps provide a summary of current state and regional climate initiatives, relevant detail on individual state policies, and links to further information.
- State Climate Action Plans: This subsection provides an overview of State Climate Action Plans and describes the general process a state goes through in developing such a plan.
- State Climate Action Plans Database: This searchable database contains policy recommendations from the action plans of 21 states. Policies are classified by sector, category and policy.
Local Actions
Local governments across the United States are implementing energy efficiency
and renewable energy actions that can have multiple benefits including saving
money, creating jobs, promoting sustainable growth and reducing greenhouse
gases and air pollution. This section includes suggestions for activities
and links to resources that can help local governments reduce their greenhouse
gas emissions.
News and Updates
This section provides details on subscribing to e-mail lists for the latest
information about actions state and local governments are taking to address
climate change. Please see the climate change site Newsroom
for updates on EPA programs, partnerships and recent additions to this Web
site.
Tools and Resources
This section provides a compilation of tools developed by EPA and other agencies
and organizations to help state and local governments assess their greenhouse
gas emissions, learn about emission-reduction opportunities and evaluate
emission-reduction strategies.