North Dakota's First Ever Statewide Sustainability Plan
In 2023, North Dakota embarked on developing its first environmental sustainability plan, aimed at identifying practical opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This plan is designed to align with our commitment to prudent stewardship of our natural resources, while reflecting our core values, fostering innovation, and envisioning a prosperous future.
Our goal is to create a plan that is sensible and beneficial for our unique economic landscape, and which opens doors to new opportunities beyond our borders. We are actively engaging with residents, communities, Tribes, industries, and government entities through July 2025 to explore actionable and ambitious measures that support a sustainable environment, vibrant communities, and a robust economy for both present and future generations.
We invite all residents to participate in shaping this plan, contributing their insights and ideas to ensure it meets our collective needs and aspirations. Together, we can work towards a sustainable future that reflects our shared values and enhances North Dakota’s well-being.
What is North Dakota's Climate Initiative?
As part of our commitment to sustainability, North Dakota is developing a Climate Action Plan that began in 2023 and will continue through 2025. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is collaborating with residents, community leaders, and key economic sectors to create the state’s first comprehensive plan focused on environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Governor Burgum has designated the DEQ as the lead agency for managing the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The DEQ has received $3 million in federal grants to develop two key plans: the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), due by March 1, 2024, and the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), due by December 1, 2025. For more details, visit the EPA's CPRG program page.
The resulting Climate Action Plan will outline innovative strategies aimed at reducing emissions while supporting vibrant communities across the state.
DEQ has learned a lot already:
- North Dakotans already naturally do a lot to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These stories need to be told.
- We feel vulnerable. Extreme weather, wildfire smoke, market pressures, conflict – these are all things North Dakotans want to conquer.
- We have science and data that we’ve never had before. Practical and innovative solutions are possible – that’s who we are and what we do.
Where Do Our Emissions Come From?
Baseline measurement of greenhouse gas emissions (primarily carbon dioxide, methane and other gases) gives us our starting point. Here’s what we already know from research conducted by UND’s Energy & Environmental Research Center from 2023 to 2024. As a next step, together we will create our goals and chart our path to get there.
The state plan includes a high-level GHG inventory for the state of North Dakota. The statewide inventory includes six sectors that were identified according to their importance to the state and emissions impacts:
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North Dakota Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP)
In 2023 DEQ gathered initial input through 24 Sustainability Input Forums held in communities across the state, discussions with North Dakota subject matter experts, intergovernmental coordination meetings, and a second round of input forums.
Five implementation-ready strategies were identified for the state’s priority plan:
- Energy Conservation Grant Program
- Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Program
- Soil Health Cover Crop Program
- City of Fargo LED Streetlight Upgrades
- N.S. Statewide Tree Planting Initiative
Overview of North Dakota's Priority Climate Action Plan: ND PCAP Summary
Check out our full report: ND PCAP (with March 2024 Tribal Amendment)
