Relative to other states, Vermont has low per capita energy-related carbon emissions, as you can see on the top graph. We are one of only six states with carbon emissions below 10 tons/person (note: accounting for all GHG emissions, we’re closer to 16 tons as of 2015).

But that’s not the whole story – our emissions have been rising since 1990, not falling (bottom graph). Only three states (California, New York, and Massachusetts) have per capita energy CO2 emissions below 10 tons/person and have also achieved carbon emission declines below 1990 levels as of 2014.

Since Vermont has had largely carbon-free electricity, we had the benefit of low emissions early on. Now we have to engage in the harder work of reducing emissions from our transportation and thermal sectors.