The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office released a new report to the State Legislature evaluating long-term pathways to economywide decarbonization in Hawaiʻi and recommending new policies to ensure the achievement of the state’s decarbonization goals. E3 is proud to have supported the State Energy Office in developing this important report, alongside many stakeholders and community members who shared their perspectives and knowledge along the way.
The report affirms and recommends maintaining the state’s economy-wide emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels. The analysis shows that while challenging to achieve, with high levels of energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, and natural carbon sinks, among other measures, this ambitious goal is within reach.
The Hawaiʻi Pathways to Decarbonization Report was developed based on the requirements of Act 238 (2022 Hawaiʻi State statute). E3 supported the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office in this effort by developing long-term decarbonization scenarios using the PATHWAYS model to explore the tradeoffs between different pathways to achieving Hawaiʻi’s goals.
The PATHWAYS model allowed E3 to analyze the impact of various policy measures on future energy demands, emissions, and costs in Hawaiʻi through 2045. The decarbonization scenarios highlighted the potential for demand reduction measures and conservation and restoration of natural lands to play a core role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. The study also re-affirmed the importance of maintaining development timelines for renewable energy projects given the large role that the electric sector may play in near-term decarbonization.
Mahalo to the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office who led the development of this report. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted the electric sector analysis. Hua Nani Partners assisted HSEO with facilitated outreach. The Hawaii Climate Resilience Collaborative assisted with the carbon sequestration analysis. E3 team members Jen Cardona, Hannah Platter, Rawley Loken, Aneri Shah, Charlie Duff, Hugh Somerset, Margo Bonner, Jessie Knapstein, Ari Gold-Parker, and Amber Mahone contributed to this work.
