Total and Sector-Based Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions (1990 – 2022)
ANR Climate Action Office Releases Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Vermont
Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources’ (ANR) Climate Action Office (CAO) has released the latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast (GHG Inventory), the state’s official measure for evaluating progress towards the emissions reduction requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act. The most recent data available shows 2022 emissions (most recent available) are at their lowest level on record, outside the COVID-19 pandemic drop in 2020. There would still need to be a steep drop in emissions by the next goal in 2024 emissions.
GHG emissions in 2022 were 8.25, they would need to be 7.28 by 2024, 5.24 in 2029 and 1.75 MMTCO2e by 2049 (Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent). These goals are based on percentages of previous levels: 2025 would be 26% below 2005 level; 2029 would be 40% below 1990 level; and 2049 would be 80% below 1990 level.
GHG emissions track not only transitions in source types, but also the general economy. Better economic conditions result in higher GHG emissions.
The report covers emissions from 1990 through 2022. As with previous years, there is a natural delay in completing the inventory while national datasets are updated and reviewed to ensure accuracy.
In 2022, transportation and heating fuel used in buildings remained Vermont’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions – consistent with previous inventories. Vermont’s total emissions fell modestly as compared to 2021, as both transportation and heating fuel use declined slightly.
Vermont is one of 23 states that creates its own state emissions inventory, which it has produced since 2007. Vermont collaborates with other states for consistency in emissions accounting. ANR uses emissions data and tools developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supplemented with local data to lend further accuracy.
Every year, ANR refines the data used in the GHG Inventory, incorporating updates provided by EPA about historical data. The updates also reflect current scientific research about how much different fuel types contributes to global warming. These improvements make the GHG Inventory more accurate, but they also affect Vermont’s emissions reduction targets.
Since the Global Warming Solutions Act requirements are set as percentages of baseline emissions from 1990 and 2005 rather than fixed number (i.e., emissions must be reduced 26% below 2005 levels by January 1, 2025), any change to those baseline years automatically adjusts the requirements. As a result, this update resulted in a slightly lower 2025 target, while the 2030 and 2050 targets increased slightly.
Beyond tracking Vermont’s past emissions, the GHG Inventory also projects the state’s future emissions over the next 5 and 10 years. These forecasts assume that current policy, programs, technologies, and consumer behavior continue on their present trajectory.
To better understand Vermont’s climate impact, ANR also conducts a Life Cycle Analysis. The Life Cycle Analysis reflects the cumulative emissions generated throughout an energy source's journey. Specifically, whereas the GHG Inventory only counts the emissions released when a gallon of fossil fuel is burned, the Life Cycle Analysis also accounts for the emissions from drilling for oil, refining it into gasoline, and shipping it to local gas stations.
Now in its second year, this analysis works alongside the Greenhouse Gas Inventory to give policymakers a more complete understanding of Vermont's climate footprint, helping inform decisions about the state's energy future.
ANR updates the GHG Inventory annually in July.
Learn more about Climate Change in Vermont and Vermont’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
7.18.2025. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Montpelier, Website.
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