Georgia makes strides on emissions while growing economy

Cars on the highway are shown in the foreground while the buildings of downtown atlanta are in the background on an overcast day
Traffic flows in and out of downtown Atlanta on the I-75/I-85 Connector Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Georgia has cut its greenhouse gas emissions per person nearly in half in the last 20 years, mostly by replacing coal power plants with natural gas and solar. But the state still has a long way to go to cut emissions enough to make a dent in climate change, according to a new analysis by Georgia Tech researchers in partnership with Drawdown Georgia. 

Georgia’s net emissions totaled 92 megatons in 2024, down from 141 megatons in 2005.