Northeast

Connecticut

Connecticut established the nation’s first green bank in 2011 and has since leveraged nearly $3 billion in clean energy investments into the state’s economy. From 2001-2022, the state reduced net emissions by 9%, around a quarter of the emissions reductions required by 2030. Connecticut has no fossil fuel reserves but more than half of the state’s generated electricity is sourced from natural gas, with another 40% from nuclear.
GHG Reduction Targets
All targets relative to 2001 levels
2030
45%
2040
65%
2050
80%
2050
Net-zero
Governor
Ned Lamont (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Supermajority
Senate Party
Democratic Supermajority
Legislative session
1/8/25 - 6/4/25
US Climate Alliance Status
Member

41

Policies Enacted or In Progress
across 7 policy areas

26

Policy Opportunities
across 6 policy areas

Northeast

9 states
This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Progress by Policy Area

  • Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
  • In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
  • Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
  • Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.
Glossary of Terms
The colored bars indicate the status for each policy on the Dashboard, viewed across seven policy areas.
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Connecticut

Created in partnership with

Climate Policies in Connecticut

Filters
Status Policy Policy Area Policy Category Year Enacted
Enacted
Empty column

45% by 2030 | 65% by 2040 | net-zero, with at least 80% reduction, by 2050

Relative to 2001 levels

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2025
Enacted
Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2021
Enacted
Empty column

The 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in April 2024.

2025 law now requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to publish an annual GHG emissions inventory.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2025
Enacted
Empty column

Office of Climate Planning within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance
Enacted
Empty column

Governor's Council on Climate Change

A newly established Connecticut Clean Economy Council will advise on strategies and policies to strengthen the state’s climate mitigation, clean energy, resilience, and sustainability programs, particularly for vulnerable communities.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2025
Not Enacted
Empty column

An Environmental Rights Amendment is an amendment to a state constitution guaranteeing the citizens of that state a right to a clean and healthy environment. The right to a clean and healthy environment can help to address climate change and provide a key tool to regulate greenhouse gases and achieve environmental justice goals.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance
Enacted
Empty column

"Environmental justice communities" are census block groups where at least 30% of the population is living below 200% of the federal poverty level, or municipalities that are the most fiscally and economically distressed, based on tax base, personal income, and residents' need for public services.

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2012
Enacted
Empty column

Connecticut EJ Screening Tool

Connecticut EJ Communities

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2023
Not Enacted
Empty column

Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities.

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted
Empty column

DEEP – Environmental Justice Program Staff

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted
Empty column

Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council

Equity and Environmental Justice Working Group

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted
Empty column

Allows the state to deny or impose specific conditions on permits for new construction and operation of proposed industrial facilities based on a determination that cumulative environmental or public health stressors on EJ communities near the proposed facility are higher than other communities in the state.

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2023
In-Progress
Empty column

The Connecticut Clean Economy Council must develop a plan to facilitate the transition of workers from fossil-fuel-based employment to clean economy jobs by July 1, 2026.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2025
Not Enacted
Empty column

Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition
Enacted
Empty column

Connecticut Clean Economy Council

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2025
Not Enacted
Empty column

Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition

The State Climate Policy Dashboard tracks only passed policies and does not include bills currently proposed in legislative sessions. The website is intended to illustrate the current status of policies for each state, as well as key resources and model states for each policy.

Much of the information contained in this database is derived from the public domain, with links to resources provided. The information provided is made available solely for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Click here for full Terms of Use.

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