The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has reported a 1.4% increase in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions for 2023, with total emissions reaching 9.52 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This follows a period of decline, but overall emissions remain 19.5% lower than in 1990.
The annual greenhouse gas inventory is DEM’s main scientific tool for tracking progress under the state’s Act on Climate, which requires net-zero emissions by 2050 and sets interim targets for 2030 and 2040.
Transportation was again the largest source of emissions, accounting for 37% of the total. The sector saw a 5.1% rise compared to the previous year, mirroring national increases in vehicle miles traveled. Residential buildings contributed nearly one-fifth of total emissions but showed a decrease of 2.4%, while commercial building emissions dropped by 5.3%. Electricity-related emissions remained unchanged due to increased carbon intensity from ISO New England’s supply.
Recent federal policy changes have affected state-level climate efforts. According to DEM, actions such as HR1 and regulatory rollbacks have reduced federal funding for energy programs and changed clean-energy incentives, potentially slowing progress toward emission reduction goals.
Governor Dan McKee commented on these challenges: “This inventory provides a valuable scientific foundation for understanding where we stand,” said Governor Dan McKee. “As we look at the clean-energy landscape in 2025 and beyond, it’s undeniable that actions taken by the Trump Administration will fundamentally disrupt states’ long-term climate plans. The Trump administration’s rollback of clean-energy initiatives and its cuts to billions of dollars in funding have intentionally undermined the clean-energy future for states across the nation. As federal policies continue to shift, we will keep working with our partners to chart a practical and responsible path forward on reducing emissions.”
DEM Director Terry Gray also addressed recent trends: “Although the increase in emissions is disappointing, the rise in transportation emissions in 2023 follows national trends,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Despite the changing federal landscape – including reductions in federal clean-energy funding and the reversal of certain national clean-car and clean-energy standards – reducing our greenhouse gas emissions continues to be a priority across the EC4 agencies.”
Over five years, Rhode Island has seen a reduction of more than five percent from its 2018 emission levels. Since 1990, there have been significant declines across major sectors: transportation (14%), residential buildings (14.2%), and electricity consumption (30.6%). To meet its next benchmark—a target set at a level 45% below that recorded in 1990—the state must reduce another three million metric tons over seven years.
The methodology behind Rhode Island’s inventory uses open-source data from both federal and state sources and aligns with recommendations from international bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Methodological updates have affected baseline figures for both past years and current totals.
A detailed summary report is available at https://dem.ri.gov/ghg-inventory.
