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“Connecticut has set an aggressive goal for reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change – and is determined to do so in a manner that improves our environment and air quality while increasing our energy security, building our economy, and creating jobs,” Malloy said. “We are making strong progress on all fronts and our state has emerged as a national leader on climate action.”
Signatories of the agreement pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions 80 to 95 percent below 1990 levels or not exceed a limit of two metric tons CO2-equivalent per capita by 2050.
Connecticut expects to achieve deep, economy-wide emissions reductions by 2050 through a comprehensive package of policies and programs, consistent with the order of emission reductions required by the agreement, Malloy said.
These are levels determined necessary to avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, such as significant sea level rise that would inundate nations and coastlines around the world, create prolonged pervasive and extreme weather, cause mega droughts and lead to food scarcity, he added.
Under the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act, the State of Connecticut committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent from 2001 levels by 2050. The adopted legislation also contained an interim goal of a 10 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2020, which Connecticut achieved in 2012. During that same time period, Connecticut’s population grew 9 percent and the economy grew 41 percent, Malloy said.
“Our state is demonstrating that we can address climate change while growing our economy and creating jobs,” he said. “Climate change is happening – there is no mistake about it.”
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