Human activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which has led to rising temperatures and other changes in our earth and climate.

DNREC’s Division of Air Quality conducts an annual inventory of in-state greenhouse gas emissions. The 2017 inventory, which is the latest report available, was released in June 2020 and includes emission estimates from 1990 to 2017.

According to that report, the leading sources of emissions in Delaware are the transportation, industrial and electric power sectors. The combined emissions from these three sectors have represented at least 75 percent of Delaware’s GHG emissions since 1990.

Delaware’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report

DNREC’s Division of Air Quality prepares an annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory to provide information on the in-state activities that produce emissions.

The inventory also includes information on the methods used to estimate the emissions.

Emissions are tracked in seven sector areas: electric power, transportation, industry, residential (buildings), commercial (buildings), agriculture and waste.

Modeled Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report

As part of Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, DNREC identified the need for a new analysis to assess where the state’s greenhouse gas emissions may come from over the next three decades.

To address this need, DNREC contracted with ICF, a consulting firm with extensive experience in conducting technical analyses to support climate planning.

ICF modeled Delaware’s greenhouse gas emissions with and without new actions to reduce emissions.

To address Delaware’s greenhouse gas emissions, the state is taking steps to minimize emissions through various state programs and actions.

Related Topics:  climate, climate change, climate coastal energy, emissions, energy, plan