Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases (GHGs). These include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Solar radiation in the lower atmosphere acts like a “greenhouse” and prevents heat from escaping. Emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is the main cause of climate change.

Virginia is committed to addressing the pollutants that contribute to climate change. The Virginia Clean Economy Act establishes renewable portfolio and energy efficiency standards, and advances offshore wind and solar generation, and the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act addresses resiliency issues.

What's New 

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been awarded a $3 million dollar Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant by the U.S. EPA funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This grant will be used to develop a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) that is due on March 1, 2024, and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) that is due two years from the date of the award, along with a status report that is due at the close of the grant period. More information on the planning process will be announced soon. 
 

GHG Inventories

DEQ has conducted greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories for the entire economy for the years 2005 through 2021. As required by § 45.2-1710 B. 9. of the Code of Virginia, the Updated Inventory Data Excel file provided below contains comprehensive data on emissions and sequestration for each of these years. The historic inventory files for 2005, 2010, and 2018 explain each inventory sector; however, please note that the values in these files have been superseded by the Updated Inventory, which incorporates the latest methodologies for the 2005-2021 period.

Historic Baseline Inventory Report - 2005 and 2010

Historic 2018 Inventory Report

Updated Inventory Data 2005-2021

Individual Source Data 

Many of the larger GHG emitting sources in Virginia report to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) on an annual basis.  Click on this link to find GHG emissions and trends data for specific Virginia sources.