The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office released the NC Comprehensive Climate Action Plan on Mar. 20, outlining steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
The plan is significant as it provides a roadmap for the state to meet its climate goals under Executive Order 246, aiming to address climate change while supporting economic development and energy affordability.
DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said, “The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan lays out a path for how North Carolina can successfully achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Investing in clean energy and energy efficiency will ensure that electricity supplies are reliable and affordable for families and businesses while driving down greenhouse gas pollution.”
Julie Woosley, Director of the State Energy Office, said, “Implementing projects to achieve the measures in this plan will result in significant energy savings in all sectors of the economy: electricity, industry, buildings, waste and more, which will help North Carolina keep energy costs down, reduce strain on the grid and help us meet our quickly growing energy demands.”
The plan targets six main sectors: electricity generation, industry, transportation, buildings, waste management, and natural and working lands. Strategies include expanding renewable electricity options such as solar and wind power, improving building energy efficiency through retrofits and upgrades, increasing electric vehicle use with expanded charging networks, diverting food waste from landfills, restoring coastal habitats and peatlands through conservation investments, and promoting sustainable forestry.
Most measures identified are already funded or expect funding; however, continued investment is needed for long-term success. The CCAP builds on the Priority Climate Action Plan published in 2024 after receiving $3 million in federal planning funds. It updates strategies using new data and stakeholder input to identify feasible actions.
Analyses are based on North Carolina’s 2024 Greenhouse Gas Inventory to establish baselines for emissions projections. Key investments include $214 million for transportation electrification resulting in over 64,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent reductions by 2030; $389.8 million for renewable electricity leading to over 1.47 million metric tons reduced by 2030; $242 million for building retrofits; $421 million from the Atlantic Conservation Coalition for land restoration; as well as measures targeting industrial process improvements and landfill emission reductions.
Some initiatives depend on federal funding availability. The NC Energy Policy Task Force recently identified solutions to ensure future supplies remain affordable and reliable. The CCAP’s focus on efficiency supports these affordability goals.