NC greenhouse gas emissions lowest in decades, uptick projected
While emissions have declined, the state still projects a rise over the next few years.
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North Carolina’s annual greenhouse gas emissions are at their lowest levels in decades. However, forecasts indicate that increased reliance on natural gas and coal for electricity generation could temporarily offset these gains in the coming years.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has released an update to the state’s greenhouse gas inventory.
The comprehensive report contains detailed estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in key source categories from 1990 to 2022 (the most recent year for which historical data is consistently available) and projects emissions through 2050.
The inventory found that between 2005 and 2022, North Carolina reduced gross greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 21% and net emissions (which account for all carbon absorbed by natural lands) by 30%. Emissions fell even as North Carolina’s population grew 23% and real Gross State Product increased 38% during the same time.
Net emissions are projected to increase 7% between 2022-2030 before beginning to drop again through 2050. The increase is largely driven by new forecasts from Duke Energy showing an increase in burning natural gas and coal.
The full state greenhouse gas inventory, executive summary and quick facts infographic are available online at deq.nc.gov/ghginventory.
