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Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

Identifying and analyzing strategies to achieve GHG emission reduction goals.

NHDES’ second deliverable required by EPA’s CPRG Planning funding is a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which is due December 2025. The CCAP must touch on all significant GHG sources and sinks across economic sectors present in New Hampshire and identify strategies and measures to reduce GHG emissions in the near- and long-term.

Required CCAP Components 

  • GHG Inventory. 
  • Near- and long-term GHG Reduction Targets. 
  • GHG Emissions Projections. 
  • Quantified GHG Reduction Measures. 
  • State-Wide Benefits Analysis.  
  • LIDAC Benefits Analysis. 
  • Review of Authority to Implement. 
  • Plan to Leverage other Federal Funding. 
  • Workforce Planning Analysis. 

Other Aspects of this Work 

  • Sectors - Emissions reductions and associated benefits should be across a range of economic sectors defined by EPA. 

    • Industry. 
    • Electricity Generation. 
    • Transportation. 
    • Residential and Non-Residential Buildings. 
    • Agriculture. 
    • Natural and Working Lands. 
    • Waste and Materials Management. 

  • Engagement - The EPA has made clear that meaningful community engagement is essential during development of the CCAP. Successful engagement can identify concerns and solutions that communities have about reducing pollution and building more equitable and resilient communities. See the “Get Involved!” tab for more information and to register for engagement events related to the CCAP. 

  • The Justice 40 Initiative - “…the Federal Government has made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution."

CCAP Technical Input Sessions by Sector

January through May 2025: Sector-based Groups will meet monthly in CCAP Technical Input Sessions to assist NHDES in identifying, selecting and developing GHG reduction measures of the CCAP. The virtual CCAP Technical Input Sessions will be open to any person interested in participating and willing to commit to the roles and responsibilities of the CCAP Technical Input Sessions. See the CCAP Process Plan and the CCAP Briefing Book for more information.

Group 1: Transportation Sector – Alternative fuel vehicles, fuel efficiency, public transit and alternative modes of travel.

“Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Over 94% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum based, which includes primarily gasoline and diesel and results in direct emissions. The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions and second largest source when indirect emissions from electricity end-use are allocated across sectors. The transportation sector is an end-use sector for electricity but currently represents a relatively low percentage of total electricity use. Indirect emissions from electricity are less than 1 percent of direct emissions.” U.S. EPA

Group 2: Commercial and Residential Buildings Sector – Cleaner HVAC systems and appliances, improved energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.

“Greenhouse gas emissions from the commercial and residential sector come from fossil fuels burned for heat and the use of gases for refrigeration and cooling in buildings, and non-building specific emissions such as the handling of waste. The commercial and residential sector emissions increase substantially when indirect emissions from electricity end-use are included, largely because buildings use 75% of the electricity generated in the US (e.g., for heating, ventilation and air conditioning; lighting; appliances, and plug loads).” U.S. EPA

Group 3: Electrical Generation and/or Use Sector – Generation, transmission, distribution and storage.

“These gases are released during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to produce electricity. Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the sector, but smaller amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also emitted. Electric power includes emissions from electricity production used by other end use sectors (e.g., industry). In 2022, 60% of our [nations] electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.” U.S. EPA

Group 4: Agriculture Sector and Natural/Working Lands Sector – Land conservation and restoration, sustainable forestry and agriculture.

“Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and rice production. Indirect emissions from electricity use in agricultural activities (e.g., powering buildings and equipment) are about 5 percent of direct emissions. In the United States, since 1990, managed forests and other lands are a net sink, i.e., they have absorbed more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit, offsetting 13% of total gross greenhouse gas emissions.” U.S. EPA

Group 5: Industry Sector and Waste/Materials Management Sector – Manufacturing, recycling, composting and waste management. 

“The Industry sector produces the goods and raw materials we use every day… Direct emissions are produced by burning fuel for power or heat, through chemical reactions, and from leaks from industrial processes or equipment.” 

“When solid waste decomposes in landfills, it creates landfill gas, which is primarily comprised of CO2 and CH4. There are a number of well established, low-cost methods to reduce greenhouse gases from consumer waste, including recycling programs, waste reduction programs, and landfill methane capture programs.” U.S. EPA

Reference Documents