2025 Climate Action Strategy

The 2021 Act on Climate required that the EC4 deliver an update to the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2022. 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 next climate plan, due in 2025.

Climate Change Community Engagement

Rhode Island DEM is offering grants up to $40,000 each for community groups to engage directly with the EC4, state agencies, and consultants working to prepare Rhode Island's 2025 Climate Action Strategy. Groups should provide outreach, engagement, and facilitation support. Projects will run from approximately March 2024 to June 30, 2025. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2023. More information and apply.

An optional information session was held for folks to ask questions about the 2025 Climate Action Strategy, the grants, and the application process.

The 2025 Climate Action Strategy is the next step in our implementation of the Act on Climate which requires the state to incrementally reduce climate emissions to net-zero by 2050. This plan will be developed in tandem with the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) process. There are three reports required for this grant.

Graphic with climate steps

Each of these reports requires a greenhouse gas inventory and emissions projections, new or updated emissions targets, new or updated quantified greenhouse gas reduction measures, a benefits analysis, a low income/disadvantaged communities benefits analysis, a workforce planning analysis, and budget analysis. Development of the PCAP and 2025 Strategy will also include robust intergovernmental coordination and public and stakeholder engagement processes.

See below for a working timeline of strategic actions and activities.

Graph with the timeline of climate actions