Understanding Interstate Differences in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

This research paper analyzes the drivers of per capita carbon dioxide emissions across U.S. states, identifying specific socioeconomic and climatic factors that contribute to higher emissions levels.

• Per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the United States show significant variation between states, ranging from a maximum of 76.5 mT CO2 in Alaska to a minimum of 12.2 in Vermont.
• Higher transportation emissions are associated with states that have low populations, low gasoline prices, and minimal use of public transportation.
• Residential heating emissions are higher in states characterized by cold climates, high average incomes, and the common use of oil as a heating fuel.
• High residential electricity emissions are found in states with hot and humid climates, low electricity prices, and a power generation mix heavily reliant on coal.
• The primary policy variables identified for addressing these emissions are the prices of electricity and gasoline, as well as the use of public transportation.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2010). Understanding Interstate Differences in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-interstate-differences-u-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Understanding Interstate Differences in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 2010. https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-interstate-differences-u-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Understanding Interstate Differences in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions |date=13 July 2010 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-interstate-differences-u-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2010understanding, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Understanding Interstate Differences in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2010}, month = jul, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-interstate-differences-u-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }