NC Greenhouse Gas Inventory Available

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced the release of the state's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory on February 14, 2019. The inventory, requested by Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 80, contains a detailed accounting of GHG focusing on key categories of human activity from 1990 to 2017.

The inventory also projects North Carolina’s greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 to 2030 based on forecasted changes in fuel use, land use, population, historical trends, and other factors.

Governor Cooper’s executive order set a goal of 40% reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by the year 2025.  In 2017, statewide net GHG reductions were down 23.7% from 2005 levels. By 2025, net GHG emissions are forecasted to decline by 31% from 2005 levels based on current state and federal policies in place.

The draft GHG inventory was released for public comment in December. The final report reflects changes based on the incorporation of public feedback and other updates since the draft version.