The Global Warming Solutions Act 

The Vermont Legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act (Act 153) in September 2020. This action codified Vermont’s legal commitment to advancing a just energy future by holding the state accountable to lowering its climate-damaging emissions while creating jobs, improving community resilience, and reducing burdens for rural and marginalized communities to access clean energy, transportation, heating, and housing. 

The Climate Action Plan

In enacting the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Legislature established a 23-member Climate Council which is responsible for writing a Climate Action Plan every four years to identify the strategies Vermont must pursue to achieve the emissions reduction benchmarks and other goals set out in the law. The Agency of Natural Resources, in partnership and supported by policymakers, the Governor, other state agencies, and stakeholders, is responsible for achieving the GWSA’s obligations. 

In 2021, the Council drafted an initial Climate Action Plan. In 2025, with critical public input, the Council crafted an updated plan that outlines a suite of recommendations to help cut costly climate pollution (as mandated by law) as well as support needed resilience and adaptation efforts and ensure a focus on delivering equitable outcomes, benefits and results. The 2025 CAP outlined 10 top priority recommendations among more than 200 other recommendations intended to deliver on the cost-saving, health-enhancing, equity-improving and resilience-creating benefits of action.  

Progress to Date

Despite this process and plan, Vermont is currently falling behind on its obligations to reduce planet-warming pollution. We are lagging most in the thermal and transportation sectors – where 70% of the state’s cumulative pollution comes from. More must be done to ensure Vermont meets the obligations outlined in the GWSA which, if implemented, are poised to reduce energy costs and burdens, create greater energy independence and resiliency and do our state’s part to reduce the pollution that is destabilizing our planet.

We’re going to need all hands on deck to ensure we cost-effectively and equitably transition away from fossil fuels. It’s possible – and it’s a huge economic opportunity if we do it well. But we need the partnership of people and communities to make it possible. If you want to get involved, contact Jack Pitblado at jpitblado@vnrc.org 

Additional Information

We are lucky to be represented on the Climate Council by one of our own. VNRC’s Energy and Climate Program Director Johanna Miller. Johanna was instrumental in the effort to enact the GWSA, has been twice-appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent a statewide environmental organization on the Council and works from this seat to bring the priorities and perspective of Vermont communities into this important work at the Council – and beyond. 

For any questions about the Climate Council, email Johanna.Miller@partner.vermont.gov. Please note: Any communications in relation to the Council could be subject to a public records request.