State agency greenhouse gas reporting
Washington requires state agencies to lead by example in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. State agencies report their emissions to Ecology and their emissions reduction strategies to the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance Office each year. Every two years, we report their progress to the Legislature.
State Agency Emissions Limits
In 2020, the Legislature and Governor updated the state agency emission limits, recodified in RCW 70A.45.050. The emissions reporting program is a critical part of Washington state's efforts to meet greenhouse gas emissions limits for state agencies:
- 15% below 2005 levels by 2020
- 45% below 2005 levels by 2030
- 70% below 2005 levels by 2040
- 95% below 2005 levels 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 the emissions calculator.
- Even-numbered years:
- Report to the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Office at the Department of Commerce, including:
- Actions taken over the last biennium to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Short-term stratety for the next two biennia to meet emission limits.
- Long-term strategy to meet emission limits.
- Report to the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Office at the Department of Commerce, including:
- 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
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State Government
- 2023 — Seventh biennial
- 2021 — Sixth biennial
- 2019 — Fifth biennial
- 2017 — Fourth biennial
- 2015 — Third biennial
- 2012 — Second biennial
- 2010 — First biennial
Dec. 7, 2022 — Ecology and SEEP presented a progress report on state agency efforts to combat climate change to former Governor Jay Inslee.
Emissions reporting instructions and training
We're responsible for collecting emissions data. SEEP is responsible for working with state agencies on emission-reduction strategies. Our two agencies collaborate to combine reporting requirements, and we have resources below to simplify the process.
The updated emissions calculator and SEEP greenhouse gas reduction strategy web-form are now available. Since 2026 is an even-numbered reporting year, the SEEP strategy report for emissions reduction is more comprehensive than last year. The 2026 reporting of calendar year 2025 data is due by May 29, 2026.
Instructions
- Complete the SEEP greenhouse gas reduction strategy web-form.
- Complete the greenhouse gas emissions calculator. The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) vehicle fuel use by agency data is included as a tab in the emissions calculator. Reference this reporting instructions document.
- Create a Secure Access WA (SAW) account. Reference this guidance document for setting up a SAW account, if needed.
- Once your SAW account is active, follow the greenhouse gas emissions reporting instructions to upload the emissions calculator and any supporting documents to the SAGE application (login required).
Trainings
The following recorded trainings are available. Please note that these trainings are only for state agency greenhouse gas emissions and strategy reporting. They are not relevant to other Ecology emissions reporting programs.
- Gathering Data, recorded Feb. 9, 2022
- Completing the Calculator, recorded March 20, 2024
- Completing the Emission Reduction Strategy Web-form, recorded April 17, 2024
Office hours
During the 2026 reporting period, Ecology and SEEP will co-host office hours where agency reporters can ask questions or get support on this reporting requirement. Office hours are scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on:
- April 1
- April 15
- May 6
- May 20
Questions?
- For questions about emission reduction strategies, contact the SEEP office.
- For questions about the emissions calculator or uploading documents to the SAGE application through your SAW account (login required), email cprsage@ecy.wa.gov.
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.
Related links
Contact information
Lynsie Patschke
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analyst
cprsage@ecy.wa.gov
Hanna Waterstrat
Director State Efficiency and Environmental Performance Office
hanna.waterstrat@commerce.wa.gov
360-764-0015