Louisiana Governor Signs Order to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards on Aug. 19 signed two executive orders to address climate change and enhance coastal resilience. The first order establishes the state’s first Climate Initiative Task Force to make recommendations to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent by 2050. The second order outlines measures under the Adaptive Governance Initiative to coordinate efforts across state  agencies to address sea level rise and coastal subsidence more efficiently. Together, the initiatives are expected to help the state become more sustainable and equitable.

The newly-established task force with representatives from diverse sectors will devise strategies to cut emissions in a way that recognizes the state’s climate vulnerabilities and the economy’s energy-intensive nature. The task force is charged with achieving emission cuts of 26-28 percent by 2025, 40-50 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050.

Louisiana is the only U.S. state where industrial sector emissions account for over a half of the total emissions. Reducing carbon emissions is considered critical to protect the coast line. The state has significant potential for deploying carbon capture and underground storage technologies, as well as restoration natural systems like wetlands.

The coastal resilience order provides guidance for state agencies to adapt to changing circumstances and efficiently deal with the long-term issue of coastal change and its impact on communities. The work will be taken under the leadership of the state’s first chief resilience officer and partner with the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities and the Center for Planning Excellence.

The task force is required to produce an update to the state’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory by the end of 2020, an interim report by Feb. 2021, and a final document on climate strategy by Feb. 2022.