The Hoosier state’s commitment to addressing climate change has been put on the backburner, as the state’s initial climate action plan, developed with a $3 million grant, has been put on hold indefinitely.
Background and Initial Plans
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) released the state’s initial climate plan last year, with the assistance of a $3 million grant from the Biden administration. Despite not receiving an additional grant, the agency had expressed its intention to proceed with the plan. However, in April, Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order, directing the IDEM not to further develop climate plans under federal programs without the explicit consent of the governor or the state legislature.
Executive Order and Concerns
The executive order stated that these climate plans are one-size-fits-all policies that can result in “worse economic and environmental outcomes for Hoosiers.” This decision has sparked concerns about the lack of proactive leadership in addressing climate change.
Expert Insights
Shannon Anderson, director of advocacy for Earth Charter Indiana, expressed her concerns about the potential impact of not implementing the climate plan.
Quoted Section
“Implementing the plan would have improved Hoosiers’ quality of life, created jobs, and put more clean energy on the grid to serve the growing demand. The lack of interest won’t keep the climate from changing,” said Shannon Anderson.
Consequences of Inaction
Anderson emphasized that the consequences of inaction will be felt, regardless of the state’s stance on climate change.
“That doesn’t change the flood waters. That doesn’t change the extreme weather. It doesn’t change the extreme heat that we will experience,” said Anderson, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Therese Dorau, assistant director for climate policy and implementation at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, notes that the challenge of addressing climate change in Indiana now largely falls to local governments.
- Indiana’s initial climate action plan was developed with a $3 million grant from the Biden administration.
- The plan was put on hold in April, with Governor Mike Braun issuing an executive order stating that one-size-fits-all policies can result in worse economic and environmental outcomes.
- Therese Dorau notes that cities and local communities don’t control the major sources of greenhouse gas pollution, such as coal plants and cars.
- About half of Hoosiers believe the governor, president, and Congress should do more to address climate change.
Dorau highlights the gap between the state’s current efforts and the need for federal and state leadership to address climate change.
Anderson hopes that Indiana can find ways to integrate greenhouse gas reductions into other programs like transportation.
The fate of Indiana’s climate action plan remains uncertain, as the state’s lack of commitment to addressing climate change has sparked concerns about the state’s ability to adapt to the changing climate.
| States and Entities Receiving the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant | Initial Climate Action Plan Submitted | Comprehensive Climate Plan Submitted | Four-Year Status Report Submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | x | x | x |
| New York | x | x | x |
| Massachusetts | x | x | x |
| Indiana | x |
Indiana’s Climate Action Plan: A State of Inaction
In a statement, the IDEM revealed that the state spent about half of the grant money, with the remaining funds to be returned to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Value of Public Feedback
The IDEM acknowledged that the public feedback received during the development of the climate plan still has value, and local governments and businesses can utilize it to inform their own climate efforts.
Opportunities for Integration
Anderson sees opportunities for Indiana to integrate greenhouse gas reductions into existing programs, such as transportation, to create a more sustainable future.
Conclusion
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s decision to put the state’s climate action plan on hold has sparked concerns about the state’s ability to address climate change. As local governments and businesses continue to work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the state’s lack of commitment to addressing climate change remains a pressing issue.
