Climate Initiatives Task Force Overview
Scientists around the world agree that rising global temperatures pose increased risks to human health and security, livelihoods, food security, water supply, economic growth and natural systems.
For Louisiana, these impacts are most severely manifested in the loss of coastal wetlands from sea level rise, increased flooding from tropical and intense rainfall events and extreme heat. Each of these environmental and health stressors are and will increasingly have negative impacts on families, communities and regions around our state, with disproportionate impacts on those with the fewest resources.
Therefore, to improve our resilience, sustain our coast and help avoid the worst impacts of climate change, Governor John Bel Edwards established the Climate Initiatives Task Force to proactively work to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving up global temperatures, increasing sea level and other risks that threaten our health and safety, quality of life, economic growth and vital habitats and ecosystems.
Mission & Approach
The Climate Initiatives Task Force will investigate and make recommendations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions originating in Louisiana to achieve the stated greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in order to improve the health and welfare of the people of Louisiana and advance Louisiana’s economic and energy profile.
The Task Force will arrive at strategies and recommendations to reduce emissions through an inclusive, balanced approach that recognizes there are differing opinions on the best ways to reduce the worst impacts of climate change while preserving economic competitiveness.
Louisiana will utilize the best available science to guide decisions and call on expertise from state government, colleges and universities, the private sector and civil society to help inform and steer policy development.
Task Force’s Goals for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
By 2025 reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% of 2005 levels
By 2030, reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 40-50% of 2005 levels
By 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero