Green House Gas Emissions

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are those gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, such as:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂),

• Methane (CH₄),

• Nitrous oxide (N₂O), and

• Fluorinated gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride).

Except for the fluorinated gases, these gases are emitted from both natural and human activities.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. The gases let sunlight pass through, but they prevent heat from leaving the atmosphere. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases are needed to sustain life on Earth, and are in fact, one of the reasons life on Earth is even possible. However, human activities are emitting greenhouse gas concentrations that are far above what naturally occurs. This has and will continue to drive and accelerate change to the global climate and alter the way humans and all life on Earth will interact and exist on the planet.

Greenhouse Gases Inventory

New Jersey’s statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory is a critical tool for tracking progress in reducing GHG emissions. The GHG inventory establishes historical emission trends and demonstrates the state’s progress in achieving its emissions reduction goals, as required by New Jersey’s Global Warming Response Act (GWRA) (P.L. 2007 c.112; P.L. 2019 c.197) and Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 274. The inventory includes estimates for carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases with high global warming potentials, along with estimates for black carbon and carbon sequestration.

More information on how ECs can be involved in helping to reduce greenhouse gashouse vehicular emissions can be downloaded HERE.

Energy Master Plan

In November 2025, New Jersey released its 2024 Energy Master Plan (EMP), updating the state’s roadmap for energy policy and building on the original 2019 plan. The new EMP outlines strategies for accelerating clean energy deployment — including solar, wind, advanced nuclear, green hydrogen, and battery storage — modernizing the electric grid, expanding transportation electrification, and addressing energy affordability for low- and moderate-income households. It reflects the state’s accelerated target of 100% clean energy by 2035. More information on the Energy Master Plan can be found HERE

Resources:

• NJDEP Division of Air Quality
• 2019 NJ Energy Master Plan
• NJDEP Greenhouse Gas Emissions Goals
• NJDEP Greenhouse Gas Inventory & Data