A story in two graphs
Relative to other states, Vermont has low per capita energy-related carbon emissions, as you can see on the right. We are one of only six states with carbon emissions below 10 tons/person (note: accounting for all GHG emissions, we’re closer to 16 tons as of 2015).
But that’s not the whole story –
our emissions have been rising since 1990
, not falling. Only three states (California, New York, and Massachusetts) have per capita energy CO2 emissions below 10 tons/person
and
have also achieved carbon emission declines below 1990 levels as of 2014.
Since Vermont has had largely carbon-free electricity, we had the benefit of low emissions early on. Now we have to engage in the harder work of
reducing emissions from our transportation and thermal sectors.