Washington’s new Climate Action Plan lays out a path to cut pollution, grow the economy, and support local communities

Washington's new Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) could significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while saving the state nearly $17 billion statewide. The new climate plan, the result of a partnership between the Washington state departments of Commerce and Ecology, is the state's first-ever economy-wide roadmap for meeting the state's legislatively mandated greenhouse gas emissions limits.

As Washington moves from planning into action, the state will host roundtables with local leaders to gather regional insights and align CCAP implementation with ongoing and future climate work. The first of those sessions was held on Earth Day, April 22, in Pierce County.

Washington is already a national leader in climate policy. The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan builds on that foundation by outlining additional actions to reduce emissions and support a sustainable economy. These climate actions will also lower energy costs, improve soil health, make infrastructure investments more efficient, and direct funding to communities most affected by climate change and pollution. The CCAP was developed through extensive engagement with Tribes, impacted communities, local governments, businesses, workers and technical experts.

"Across Washington, climate change is threatening public health and our economy in unprecedented ways. Recent flooding forced entire communities to evacuate, and a fourth year of drought is pushing water supplies to their limit. These impacts underscore why Washington must continue to be a climate leader," said Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller.

Washington faces growing energy and climate pressures. Electricity demand is expected to increase 83% by 2050 largely driven by the boom in data centers and increased demands from transportation electrification. While energy demands grow, water supplies are falling, putting pressure on both agriculture and the environment. Since 1950, peak snowpack in Washington has declined 25%, increasing the risk of "snowpack drought."

The CCAP can help communities and utilities prepare for these challenges, while creating economic growth. CCAP implementation is projected to create more than 38,000 jobs and generate over $40 billion in income across industries by 2050. The plan's solutions are estimated to save the state $17 billion by 2050 by supporting home energy upgrades, expanding electric vehicle use and through other actions.

"Transitioning to a clean economy isn't just about addressing climate change," said Sarah Clifthorne, interim director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. "It strengthens our competitiveness, creates jobs, and helps make everyday costs more affordable for everyone in Washington."

The CCAP identifies pathways to meet the state's emissions limits across every sector of the economy while lowering costs, growing the economy, improving public health, and delivering benefits to communities. It includes existing policies such as the Climate Commitment Act and the Clean Energy Transformation Act. By supporting EV adoption and efficient appliances like heat pumps, the plan helps reduce two of the largest household expenses: housing and transportation.

A series of statewide roundtables will bring together community groups, local governments, and Tribal and regional partners to support implementation of the CCAP. These conversations will strengthen the plan's relationship to other climate work in Washington, advance cross-sector coordination to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide, and address environmental injustices.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under assistance agreement 02J30901 to Washington State Department of Commerce. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document.