Alliance members are working to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius by reducing emissions, accelerating action, centering equity, and tracking progress. 

Explore Rhode Island's policies and actions across the Alliance's 10 key policy areas. Numbers presented below only reflect the number of policies in this database and thus may not reflect all climate policies pursued.

rhode_island

GHG Targets + Governance

Just Transition + Equity

Industry

Pricing Carbon + Valuing Damages

Electricity

Transportation

Resilience

Natural + Working Lands

Climate Finance

Buildings

total

2022 Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The 2022 Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Inventory is produced by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to assess the annual climate-warming emissions produced in Rhode Island. This evaluation is the primary scientific tool used by the Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) to assess progress towards the economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction mandates required by the Act on Climate.1 The inventory is an estimate of emissions sources and sinks and is recalculated each year based on the best science and data available. Methodologies evolve year-to-year, and emissions estimates from previous inventories should not be used as a direct comparison since adjustments have been made. Refer to the Technical Appendix for a full explanation on applicable adjustments to the 1990 baseline and subsequent year’s data.

HB 7904, Relating to State Affairs and Government - Climate Change - Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014

Established targets for GHG reductions below 1990 levels of 10% by 2020, 45% by 2035, and 80% by 2050. Also created the Climate Change Coordinating Council

The Resilient Rhode Island Act established the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) in 2014. It is updated by the 2021 Act on Climate which codifies specific greenhouse gas reduction targets, establishes two advisory bodies - the EC4 Advisory Board and the EC4 Science and Technical Advisory Board, and incorporates consideration of climate change impacts

The Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) was established to coordinate efforts between state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The EC4 will pursue GHG emissions reductions of 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, 45% below 1990 levels by 2035, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. State agencies must assist EC4 to develop programs to encourage state employees to reduce vehicle miles traveled and use public transportation when available. The Council will also work with municipalities to encourage sustainability; identify federal, state, and private funding opportunities that can be leveraged to reduce emissions in Rhode Island; and develop GHG emissions reduction strategies.

Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4)

climate_governance

Requires food waste diversion to composting or biodigester facilities from educational entities

Food Waste Ban

methane

H 7023: Relating to Towns and Cities – Local Planning Board or Commission

Updates the roles and training requirements for local planning boards, zoning boards, and historic district commissions. It expands their authority in land use decisions and mandates biennial education on flood and sea-level rise impacts.

Resilient Rhode Island Act

The 2014 Resilient Rhode Island Act established the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4). It also set specific greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; established an advisory board and a science and technical advisory board to assist the Council; and incorporated consideration of climate change impacts into the powers and duties of all state agencies. The EC4 is charged with developing and tracking the implementation of a plan to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions below 1990 levels of: 10 percent by 2020; 45 percent by 2035; and 80 percent by 2050.