Title Page & Contents  Executive Summary Introduction      Climate Change Impacts      The Cost of Inaction      GHG & Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategy      Reducing Maryland's Vulnerability to Climate Change      Building a Federal - State Partnership      Legislative Update & Next Steps  Appendices:   A - Executive Order  B - Membership Lists  C - Inventory  D - Mitigation Work Group  E - Adaptation Work Group  F - Stakeholder Letters

The Maryland Climate Change Commission's Interim Report. [Released January 14, 2008]

MCCC Working Groups [Use buttons at left to link to information on these workgroups.]

The three Technical Working Groups below
Adaptation & Response Working Group
     Co-Chairs: Department of Natural Resources and Department of Planning

• Recommend strategies for reducing the vulnerability of the State’s coastal, natural and cultural resources and communities to the impacts of climate change                         
• Develop a Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Climate Change Vulnerability 

Greenhouse Gas & Carbon Mitigation Working Group
     Co Chairs: Department of the Environment and Maryland Energy Administration 

• Evaluate and recommend goals to reduce Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions 
  Develop a Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategy 

Scientific and Technical Working Group
     Co-Chairs: University System of Maryland, Department of Environment and Department of Natural Resources

• Advise the Commission and other Working Groups on the scientific and technical aspects of climate change                         
• Develop a Comprehensive Climate Change Impact Assessment 

The MCCC is charged with advising the Governor and the General Assembly on matters related to climate change.  Specifically, it will:

• Undertake an assessment of climate change impacts, calculate Maryland’s carbon footprint, and investigate climate change dynamics with the assistance of the University System of Maryland;
                           
• Work together with the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration and a broad set of stakeholders, including renewable and traditional energy providers and the business community, to develop a comprehensive greenhouse gas and carbon footprint reduction strategy; and,
                           
• Coordinate with the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources and Planning, and a comprehensive group of planners, emergency responders and environmental organizations, as well as business and insurance representatives, to develop a strategy for reducing Maryland’s vulnerability to climate change, with an initial focus on sea level rise and coastal hazards. 

The Commission consists of up to twenty-one members, including the Secretaries of Agriculture, Budget and Management, Business and Economic Development, Natural Resources, Environment, Planning, Transportation, Housing and Community Development, the State Superintendent of Schools, the Directors of the Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the Maryland Insurance Commissioner, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, and the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, or their designees. Three other members are from/designated by the House of Delegates and Senate.

Report Schedule

November 2007

• Update on Plan of Action                        
• Implementation timetable and benchmarks                        
• Preliminary recommendations                        
• Draft legislation

 July 2008

• Plan of Action                        
• Climate Change Impact Assessment                        
• Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategy                        
• Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Climate Change Vulnerability

Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC)

The Climate Action Plan
Final Report
was released on
August 27, 2008.

To view the Climate Action Plan, click here.

To see information about this and other past meetings click here.

For past Workgroup Meetings click on the buttons at left.