Theo Rosen
Climate Campaigns, Associate, Environment America
Climate Campaigns, Associate, Environment America
State Director, Illinois PIRG Education Fund
CHICAGO – Illinois was ahead of the national pace in reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gasses between 2005 and 2022, according to a new report released on Wednesday by Environment America Research and Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group. Nationally, the United States reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 15% and its per capita emissions by 25%. The United States has made a commitment to reduce emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, which means even leading states will have to step up their emission reduction efforts, particularly given new uncertainty around federal leadership on climate.
While Illinois’ overall greenhouse gas emissions have declined, emissions from residential buildings have increased by 7% since 2005. This highlights the importance of the Illinois Commerce Commission’s investigation into how to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the gas distribution system, in order to reach Illinois’ 100 percent clean energy goal. Currently, more than 80% of Illinois homes rely on fossil fuels for home heating.
“Our progress in reducing greenhouse emissions shows that state policies and actions can make a difference. Retiring coal plants, building out clean energy, and making cars that pollute less all contributed to the 25% decline we’ve seen over the past 19 years,” said Abe Scarr, State Director with IllinoisPIRG Education Fund. “It’s time to start transitioning methane gas and other fossil fuels out of our homes and buildings. Clean energy homes powered by 100% renewable electricity are healthier, more efficient, and pollute less.”
According to the analysis of data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Illinois has reduced its emissions most effectively in the electric power sector, cutting emissions from electricity generation by 48% between 2005 and 2022. Illinois also reduced emissions from transportation and industrial sources, by 25% and 24% respectively (some of the transportation reductions could be tied to a pandemic-era decline in driving that had not fully ended by 2022).
Emissions from the commercial sector—primarily from burning fossil fuels to heat commercial buildings and the water they use—increased by 14%. Emissions from agriculture increased by 1%. The transportation sector makes up the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in half the 50 states, including Illinois.
“Millions of Illinoisans are benefiting from reduced climate pollution as we move away from coal and power our lives with clean, renewable energy,” said Theo Rosen, climate campaigns associate with Environment Illinois Research & Education Center. “Illinois’ commitment to 100% clean energy isn’t going anywhere, regardless of what happens on a federal level. Just as state action has worked to drive down emissions from the electric sector, now it must do the same for agriculture, buildings, transportation and industry.”