Hawaiʻi’s path to net-negative emissions by 2045

Equity mapped to target climate action where it’s needed most.

Hawaiʻi’s low-income and disadvantaged communities contribute little to emissions yet shoulder some of the nation’s highest energy burdens and rising climate risks. SSG’s spatial analysis combined vulnerability data from state, island, county, and local sources to map where rooftop solar and tree planting overlap with these communities, pinpointing priority opportunities for equitable climate action.

Island geography creates unique emissions challenges.

As an archipelago, travel within Hawaiʻi’s islands depends on air and marine transportation. SSG’s analysis found that by adopting strategies to decarbonize aviation fuels and supporting inter-island aviation electrification, there is an emissions reduction opportunity of 59 million metric tons between 2026-2045.

Making buildings efficient is cool.

Most building decarbonization in North America centers on heating. In Hawaiʻi’s tropical climate, the primary efficiency opportunity is cooling: airtight building envelopes, efficient air conditioning, shading, and reflective roofs can cut building energy consumption 46% by 2040.