2022 Climate Update

On April 14, 2021, Governor Dan McKee signed into law the 2021 Act on Climate, which set mandatory, enforceable climate emissions reduction goals culminating in net-zero emissions by 2050. This legislation updated the previous 2014 Resilient Rhode Island Act, positioning the state to boldly address climate change and prepare for a global economy that will be shifting to adapt to clean technology.

The Act on Climate required that the RI Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (RIEC4) deliver an update to the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2022 (referred to as the 2022 Climate Update).

After a fourteen-month process involving substantial stakeholder engagement, research, and coordination among the 13 state agencies of the RIEC4, the 2022 Climate Update was completed in December 2022 and serves as a benchmark and updated foundation for Rhode Island’s climate work ahead.