[ECO]What Are the Greenest States in America?

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What Are the Greenest States in America?

Climate change affects every facet of life on Earth, and more and more people now worry about their impact on the planet. Even celebrities like

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are getting vocal about the undeniable changes and joining hands with nonprofits to make environmental action a priority.

And federal, state, and local governments are taking note. Some are feeling the urgency more than others and have been actively taking action to reduce emissions, minimize waste, preserve natural resources, and enable their citizens to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. 

But which states have made the biggest efforts? Let’s take a look at the greenest states in the U.S., according to research by ConsumerAffairs.

Vermont

The state of Vermont has clinched the top spot in ConsumerAffairs’ Greenest States list. Based on data, it has the lowest CO2 emissions per capita (0.072 tons) and a pretty high tree equity score of 89.018.

The state has taken numerous proactive initiatives to minimize its carbon footprint across critical areas like transportation, waste management, electricity, agriculture, and industrial processes.

Its Comprehensive Energy Plan has set an ambitious goal to become net zero in emissions by 2050. As part of this, the state is encouraging the use of electric vehicles, efficient weatherization of homes, adoption of renewable energy, and more.

In 2024, Vermont became the first U.S. state to hold fossil fuel businesses accountable for climate damage through its Climate Superfund Act. This became a monumental moment that set a precedent for other states to take similar action against some of the biggest environmental polluters.

Washington

Closely following Vermont on the Greenest Cities ranking is the state of Washington with a green score of 59.50 (only 0.20 points behind Vermont).

The state ranks high for renewable energy generation and has significantly low CO2 emissions per capita. This is hardly a surprise considering the state- and city-wide action taken to combat climate change.

Seattle, for instance, has consistently ranked among the greenest cities in the U.S., while Longview is noted as a top metro for air quality.

At the state level, Washington has one of the highest percentages of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in America, mostly thanks to aggressive incentive programs it has implemented over the years.

The state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) plays a huge role in its mission to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 95% by 2050. Having encountered various climatic threats, from wildfires to floods, Washington has also focused resources on a climate change resilience strategy to build a sustainable environment for its citizens.

Maine

Maine’s climate action has resulted in the state being ranked high in a number of critical areas.

Currently, it recycles an impressive 47.7% of its waste—the highest in America. And just 15.1% of its waste goes to landfills, the second lowest among all states.

A staggering 63% of its energy is generated through renewable sources, placing the state among the top green energy generators in the country. Maine also ranks among the top ten for the lowest CO2 emissions per capita and high tree equity.

Clearly, the state is doing a lot to reduce its carbon footprint in creating a cleaner environment. By 2030, its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45%, push renewable energy generation to 80%, and create 30,000 clean energy jobs.

Last year, Main invested $50 million in

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and $27.5 million in climate resilience efforts.

Oregon

Various national rankings have consistently recognized Oregon and its cities for their green initiatives.

Portland, for instance, boasts 22 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents and is renowned for air quality, green open spaces, waste recycling, strict policies, and a greener lifestyle. 89% of its households have access to recycling solutions, and 30% of public transportation options are energy efficient.

Oregon plans to cut down emissions by 90% by 2050. The state’s Climate Protection Program aims to hold polluters accountable for their actions and promote greener and sustainable practices. At the moment, 68.8% of energy there is generated using renewable sources, with a 23-fold jump in solar generation alone in just ten years (between 2012 and 2022).

Oregon’s residents are also taking environmental action to heart. They are ranked second for eco-friendly behaviors by WalletHub in its 2025 rankings.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has the second-highest tree equity score in America. 40.8% of its waste is recycled and only 35.2% of waste ends up in landfills, placing the state well above most others when it comes to

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Officials in New Hampshire are paying serious attention to critical policies. They are now redrafting the state’s climate action plan with amendments to the original one put in place in 2009. Clean energy, minimizing pollution, and conserving resources weigh high on their agenda.

And New Hampshire’s initiatives to encourage climate action are set across a variety of sectors.

For example, it promotes eco-friendly tourism, focusing on its stunning natural attractions with activities like no-tech nature trails and water adventures for both residents and visitors. Its state parks’ Leave No Trace Principles ensure that green spaces are enjoyed and preserved through eco-friendly practices.

To Conclude

An unbalanced ecosystem poses debilitating risks to our planet and its people. We are already seeing dramatic outcomes of this in terms of climatic threats, health issues, and many other aspects that threaten life on Earth.

Some states are already leading the way in taking action to mitigate climate damage through policy changes, state-wide projects, fines and incentives, and awareness programs to encourage their residents to make positive changes.

Vermont, Washington, Maine, Oregon, and New Hampshire rank high among them as the greenest states in the U.S. Their actions

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for their citizens and future generations and will set the benchmarks for other states to follow.

Awareness and activism, no doubt, are critical for holding corporations and states accountable for adopting responsible practices. But it is important to remember that we all have a role to play at an individual level in making climatic actions a reality.

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