Pages Tagged With: "net-zero"
In Delaware, no one is ever more than a mile from water. The state’s 381 miles of coastline and nearly 300,000 acres of wetlands provide substantial economic, ecological and community benefits. These coastal and marine systems also play a critical role in Delaware’s climate strategy by storing and sequestering carbon in vegetation, sediments and submerged
Agriculture is a vital part of Delaware’s economy and landscape, supporting farm families, food production and covering more than 40% of the state’s land area. In addition to its economic value, farmland plays an important role in addressing climate change by storing carbon in soils and vegetation. While agriculture contributes a relatively small share of
Reducing Delaware’s greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero by 2050 is essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Solutions Act of 2023 sets clear statewide emission reduction targets: a 50% reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, compared to a 2005 baseline. Reaching these goals, however, will require both
Transportation is Delaware’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, making up nearly 30% of the state’s total in 2021. Emissions come from cars, trucks, buses, planes, boats and off-road equipment. Reducing transportation emissions is key to reaching Delaware’s net-zero goals while improving air quality, public health and community resilience. Delaware
Electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware, making up 26.9% of the state’s total in 2021. Emissions come from electricity generated both in-state and out-of-state which we use to light our homes and heat our businesses. A decarbonized electric grid serves as Delaware’s largest emissions reduction opportunity, as it
The industry sector is Delaware’s third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 23.1% of statewide emissions in 2021. Although industrial emissions are 7.3% lower than in 2005, emissions are projected to grow without additional action. By 2050, industrial emissions are expected to overtake transportation as the state’s largest source of greenhouse gases, highlighting the
Delaware’s buildings are a central part of daily life and a growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Because buildings vary widely in age, size and use, there is no single solution for reducing emissions. In 2021, the buildings sector produced about 14% of Delaware’s total emissions, with commercial buildings accounting for slightly more than homes.
Forests and urban trees cover nearly one-third of Delaware’s land area and provide critical benefits for wildlife habitat, clean water and community well-being. They also support a strong forestry industry that employs nearly 2,000 people and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the state’s economy. At the same time, Delaware is losing more than
The waste sector accounts for a small share of Delaware’s greenhouse gas emissions – about 3% in 2021 – but remains an important part of the state’s path to net-zero. Delaware manages all of its waste within state borders through landfills, recycling facilities and wastewater treatment plants. Emissions from this sector are primarily methane and
