For the full document, visit: Maine Won’t Wait.
The Maine Climate Council published a four-year plan for climate action in Maine in December 2020. The Climate Council identified four main goals: 1) reduce Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions; 2) avoid the impacts and costs of inaction; 3) foster economic opportunity and prosperity; and 4) advance equity through Maine’s climate response. For the purpose of meeting these goals, the Council identified eight strategies, the fifth of which (Strategy E) is to “protect Maine’s environment and working lands and waters” by “promoting natural climate solutions and increasing carbon sequestration.”
This strategy focuses on the importance of keeping Maine’s forests as forests. The Council made two proposals that directly impact Maine’s forests. Firstly, an increase of 30% in total acreage of conserved lands in Maine by 2030 (30 by 30) through purchases of land and conservation easements. Secondly, the development of new programs and incentives to increase carbon storage.
See below for excerpts from the Maine Won’t Wait climate action plan focusing on Maine’s forestlands and outlining Strategy E.
