States With the Lowest Carbon Footprints

The U.S. pollutes more than nearly every other country in the world, with the sole exception of China. Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are driven primarily by the transportation sector, followed by electric power generation and industrial activities. Combined, these three sectors account for over 75% of carbon emissions in the United States, while the residential, commercial, and agriculture sectors are responsible for the remainder.

By virtue of the size of its carbon footprint, the United States bears a degree of culpability for the ongoing, global climate crisis – and, given the potentially catastrophic long-term effects of continued greenhouse gas emissions, a responsibility to reduce those emissions.

There are many states across the country where a combination of factors – ranging from industrial composition, to government and individual action – has already resulted in below-average carbon emissions.

Using data from the EIA, Climate Crisis 24/7 identified the U.S. states generating the least carbon pollution. To compare across varying population sizes, states are ranked by their per capita carbon emissions in 2022, the latest year of available data. Population figures used to calculate per capita rates are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

10. New Jersey

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 10.0 metric tons per person (92.5 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 218 million Btu (14th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (47.1% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Residential (16.4% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Electric power (15.5% of annual carbon emissions)

9. New Hampshire

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 9.8 metric tons per person (13.8 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 213 million Btu (13th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (48.6% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Residential (18.4% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Electric power (17.3% of annual carbon emissions)

8. Washington

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 9.6 metric tons per person (74.7 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 202 million Btu (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (57.0% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Industrial (15.3% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Electric power (12.7% of annual carbon emissions)

7. Rhode Island

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 9.3 metric tons per person (10.2 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 171 million Btu (the lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (37.1% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Electric power (27.3% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Residential (20.7% of annual carbon emissions)

6. Oregon

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 8.9 metric tons per person (37.6 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 202 million Btu (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (52.7% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Electric power (19.7% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Industrial (12.4% of annual carbon emissions)

5. Vermont

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 8.5 metric tons per person (5.5 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 193 million Btu (6th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (51.3% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Residential (24.1% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Commercial (16.8% of annual carbon emissions)

4. New York

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 8.5 metric tons per person (166.1 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 176 million Btu (3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (45.1% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Residential (20.4% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Electric power (16.4% of annual carbon emissions)

3. Massachusetts

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 8.5 metric tons per person (59.2 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 188 million Btu (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (47.3% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Residential (21.8% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Commercial (13.7% of annual carbon emissions)

2. California

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 8.4 metric tons per person (326.2 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 176 million Btu (3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (56.4% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Industrial (19.1% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Electric power (10.8% of annual carbon emissions)

1. Maryland

• Carbon dioxide emissions in 2022: 8.2 metric tons per person (50.6 million metric tons total)
• Per capita energy consumption in 2022: 195 million Btu (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Largest polluting sector: Transportation (51.2% of annual carbon emissions)
• Second largest polluting sector: Electric power (20.7% of annual carbon emissions)
• Third largest polluting sector: Residential (12.0% of annual carbon emissions)