Northeast

New Jersey

New Jersey is more densely populated with both people and roads than any other state in the country, contributing to the transportation sector’s majority share of emissions in the state. New Jersey imports nearly 20% of its power from neighboring states, and since 2011, more than 90% of in-state generation has come from natural gas and nuclear energy. Greenhouse gas emissions in the state have dropped by 22% from 2006-2022.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2006 levels

2030

50%

2050

80%

Governor

Mikie Sherrill (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

1/13/26 - 1/12/27

Electricity market structure

Deregulated

U.S. EPA

Largest source of GHG emissions

Transportation

Local control status

Home rule

Key Offices & Links

37

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 6 policy areas

See all

32

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

See all

Northeast

9 states

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

Compare with other states

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Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.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.

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	Year Enacted
Enacted	Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column 50% by 2030 \| 80% by 2050 Relative to 2006 levels Establishing Policies A3301 - Global Warming Response Act (2007) Executive Order 274 (2021)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2021
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column 80x50 Report Establishing Policies A3301 – Global Warming Response Act (2007) 80x50 Report (2020)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2020
Enacted	State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Empty column The 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in March 2024. Establishing Policies A3301 – Global Warming Response Act (2007) 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (2024)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2024
Enacted	Climate Bureaucracy Empty column Governor's Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy Establishing Policies Executive Order 221 (2021) Governor's Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2021
Not Enacted	Climate Advisory Bodies Empty column Climate advisory bodies often write or advise on a state's climate plan, and make non-binding recommendations on climate policy design and implementation. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance
Not Enacted	Environmental Rights Amendments 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	Environmental Justice Community Definitions Empty column "Overburdened communities" are census block groups where at least 35% of households are low-income, 40% have limited English proficiency, or 40% of residents are minorities or members of a State recognized tribal community. Establishing Policies N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157 (2020)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2020
Enacted	Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Empty column Environmental Justice Mapping, Assessment and Protection Tool (EJMAP) NJ Overburdened Communities Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Mapping, Assessment and Protection Tool (EJMAP) (2022) NJ Overburdened Communities (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2022
Not Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Investment Requirements 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	Environmental Justice Bureaucracy Empty column NJDEP – Office of Environmental Justice Environmental Justice Interagency Council (EJIC) Establishing Policies NJDEP – Office of Environmental Justice Environmental Justice Interagency Council (EJIC)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Council Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Advisory Council	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Cumulative Impact Assessment Empty column Requires that, when proposing to locate certain pollution-generating facilities in an overburdened community, an applicant must prepare an EJ impact statement and engage directly with members of their proposed host community by hosting a public hearing; permit applicants must avoid and minimize such stressors, including through the use of added pollution control technology. Establishing Policies S232 (2020) N.J.A.C. 7:1C (2023) Environmental Justice Law	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2020
Not Enacted	Just Transition Plans Empty column Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Offices and Staff 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
Not Enacted	Just Transition Advisory Bodies Empty column Just transition advisory bodies write or advise on a state's just transition plan or report, and make recommendations on ways to support affected workers, communities, and industries. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Funds 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

New Jersey

Key Offices & Links

37

32

Northeast

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in New Jersey

Climate Policies in New Jersey