State agency greenhouse gas reporting

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Important information

Upcoming training:

Reports due May 26, 2023:

Washington is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help slow the impacts of climate change. State agencies are joining the effort. With direction from the Legislature, state agencies are working with us to monitor and reduce their emissions.

State Agency Climate Leadership Act

In 2020, the Legislature and Governor updated the State Agency Climate Leadership Act, codified in RCW 70A.45. The Act directs state agencies, including universities, colleges, and community and technical colleges to lead by example in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to:

  • 15% below 2005 baseline by 2020
  • 45% below 2005 by 2030
  • 70% below 2005 by 2040
  • 95% below 2005 by 2050, achieve net zero

To track state agencies’ progress toward meeting these limits, each covered agency must report the following:

  • Every year —
    • ​Estimate emissions using emissions calculator.
  • Even-numbered years —
    • ​Report to the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) office at the Department of Commerce:
      • Actions taken over the last biennium to meet these emission-reduction targets.
      • Actions planned for the next two biennia to meet emission limits.
      • Long-term strategy for meeting the emission limits.
  • Odd-numbered years —
    • ​State agencies will submit progress reports to SEEP. 

Legislative reports

Each biennium, we collaborate with SEEP to publish a progress report to the Legislature.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State Government

Coming by March 1, 2023: 

  • 2023 — Seventh biennial 

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State Government

Dec. 7, 2022 — Ecology and SEEP presented a progress report on state agency efforts to combat climate change to Gov. Jay Inslee.

Emissions reporting instructions and trainings

We are responsible for collecting emissions data. SEEP is responsible for working with state agencies on emission-reduction strategies. However, our two agencies have combined reporting requirements to simplify the process. 

Instructions

  1. Create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account.
  2. Once your SAW account is active, use the "GHG emissions reporting instructions" below for directions. 
  3. Complete the "GHG emissions calculator" below.
  4. Complete the "GHG reduction strategy update" below online.
  5. Upload the "GHG emissions calculator" and any supplemental documents to SAGE.
Date available Due date Subject
Coming soon n/a 2023 State agency GHG emissions reporting instructions 
Coming soon May 26, 2023 2023 State agency GHG emissions calculator 
Now May 26, 2023 GHG reduction strategy update form
Now May 26, 2023 DES leased and permanently assigned vehicle fuel use by agency 

* Note that since this 2023 is an odd reporting year, SEEP is requiring agencies complete the online strategy update form above. If agencies have supplemental emission reduction strategy documents, they may upload them to SAGE.

Upcoming training

Date Time Subject
March 29, 2023 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Completing the Calculator Workshop
(Please register in advance)

Past trainings

Date Time Subject
Feb. 9, 2022 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Video: Gathering Data
April 13, 2022 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Video: Developing Emission Reduction Strategies and Completing the Template

* ​Note that we are not updating the training videos for “Gathering Data” or “Developing Emissions Reduction Strategeis” for the 2023 reporting cycle. 

Questions

For questions regarding emission-reduction strategies, contact the SEEP office. 
For questions regarding the emissions calculator or uploading documents to SAGE, contact Stacey Waterman-Hoey.

Other required greenhouse gas reports

Some agencies emit larger amounts of greenhouse gases and have additional reporting requirements to EPA and us. Visit EPA's greenhouse gas program to determine if your agency is required to report under federal requirements and visit our facilities greenhouse gas reporting page to check for additional state reporting requirements.