Analysis, evaluation and implications of Rhode Island’s “2021 Act on Climate” for response to climate change

Abstract

The state of Rhode Island is responding appropriately to the climate crisis by enacting “the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014” and then preparing the revised “2021 Act on Climate.” Accordingly, Rhode Island strives to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 by establishing and evaluating a climate change response plan and setting science-based climate goals through the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council through consultation with the Advisory Board and the Science and Technical Advisory Board. Additionally, Rhode Island is committed to establishing industry support strategies to respond to climate change, considering future generations, including children, in the impacts of climate change, utilizing the knowledge of private experts at universities, and promoting public education on climate change response. However, matters that need to be supplemented and improved in the implementation of Rhode Island’s climate change-related legal policies include the fair and transparent selection of advisors from an organizational perspective and the securing of dedicated personnel and budget for practical work.