By Mehr Sher
Mainers learned earlier this year that the state is approximately 75 percent carbon neutral, based on a first-of-its-kind analysis of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions. But most of the credit for the carbon neutrality goes to Maine’s abundant forests, which capture and store carbon from the air.
New estimates of how much carbon Maine forests store indicate that achieving carbon neutrality will be easier than hitting Gov. Mills’ robust emissions targets for 2050.
As of 2019, the report found, Maine's gross greenhouse gas emissions were 25% lower than in 1990. Transportation accounted for half of the state's total emissions, and those emissions had fallen by 8% since 1990. More significant emissions reductions came from the production of electric power.
Governor s Forest Carbon Task Force
Forests cover 89 percent of Maine and are the foundation for Maine’s forest products industry and the state’s overall natural resource-based economy. Each year, Maine s forests sequester an amount of carbon equal to at least 60 percent of the state s annual carbon emissions, a figure that rises to 75 percent when durable forest products are included. The Forest Carbon Task Force work seeks to build upon this effort.
Created by Executive Order of Governor Janet Mills, the Forest Carbon Task Force was recommended by the state’s new four-year climate action plan,
Maine Won’t Wait, and aims to develop a voluntary program for small-to-medium size woodland owners in Maine who want to utilize their land for long-term storage of carbon emissions, a process known as carbon sequestration.
February 3, 2021
For more information contact: Jim Britt at:
jim.britt@maine.gov
Task force will consider forest carbon storage incentives for small-to-medium size woodland owners to help protect their property while fighting climate change
AUGUSTA, Maine - As part of Maine s ambitious effort to fight climate change by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, Governor Janet Mills has signed an Executive Order to create the Maine Forest Carbon Task Force.
The Task Force is a recommendation from the state s new four-year climate action plan,
Maine Won t Wait, and aims to develop a voluntary program for small-to-medium size woodland owners in Maine of who want to utilize their land for long-term storage of carbon emissions, a process known as carbon sequestration. Forest carbon programs provide financial incentives to preserve forests, thereby storing carbon emissions. However, today, most existing programs are not accessible or economically feasible for smaller woodland owne