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Please see EPA's Climate Change site for current information on climate change and global warming. EPA no longer updates EPA's Global Warming Site, but is maintaining this archive for historical purposes. Thank you for visiting the archive of EPA's Global Warming Site.
The Role of State and Local Governments
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 States and localities have a significant role to play in addressing climate change. For example:
- State and local governments can help meet air quality standards for currently regulated pollutants by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
- State and municipal facilities offer significant opportunities for cost-effective greenhouse gas reduction efforts that can trim expenses while helping the environment.
- State and local governments have regulatory authority over many direct and indirect sources of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, local governments define land-use, zoning, and transportation policy; operate landfills; monitor air quality; pass and enforce building codes; define procurement policies; and regulate parking.
- The total and per capita emissions of some states exceed those of entire nations.
- States and communities may be vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change and thus have a stake in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- States’ experience in testing climate change policies and programs can provide insights as the federal government develops its response strategies to global warming.
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