Maryland
Maryland Climate Change Commission
On April 20, 2007, Governor Martin O'Malley signed Executive Order 01.01.2007.07 that establishes a Climate Change Commission charged with collectively developing an action plan to address the causes of climate change, prepare for the likely consequences and impacts of climate change to Maryland, and establish firm benchmarks and timetables for implementing the Commission's recommendations.
The Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC) is charged with advising the Governor and the General Assembly on matters related to climate change. Specifically, it will:
- Undertake an assessment of climate change impacts, calculate Maryland's carbon footprint, and investigate climate change dynamics with the assistance of the University System of Maryland;
- Work together with the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration and a broad set of stakeholders, including renewable and traditional energy providers and the business community, to develop a comprehensive greenhouse gas and carbon footprint reduction strategy; and,
- Coordinate with the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources and Planning, and a comprehensive group of planners, emergency responders and environmental organizations, as well as business and insurance representatives, to develop a strategy for reducing Maryland's vulnerability to climate change, with an initial focus on sea level rise and coastal hazards.
