SR 96: affirming the importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve the state's decarbonization goals.

SENATE RESOLUTION

affirming the importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve the state's decarbonization goals.

     WHEREAS, human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and the concomitant release of carbon dioxide, has catalyzed the effects of climate change; and

     WHEREAS, thirty-four percent of the State's coastlines are vulnerable to intensifying coastal hazards resulting from accelerated sea level rise; and

     WHEREAS, according to a report produced by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, global sea levels could rise more than three feet by 2100, with more recent projections showing this sea level rise occurring as early as 2060; and

     WHEREAS, the report also found that over the next thirty to seventy years, approximately six thousand five hundred structures, thirty-eight miles of coastal roads, five hundred fifty cultural sites, and at least nineteen thousand eight hundred residents statewide will be exposed to chronic flooding, resulting in an estimated $19 billion in economic loss; and

     WHEREAS, in response to the growing threat of climate change, the State established standards and implemented initiatives to expand reliance on sustainable and efficient energy, including a statewide benchmark of generating one hundred percent of the State's electricity through renewable sources by 2045; and

     WHEREAS, the State also established a goal to limit greenhouse gas emissions by reducing emissions to at least fifty percent below 2005 levels by 2030; and

     WHEREAS, the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers' Communiqué issued on April 16, 2023, affirmed the importance of nature-based solutions, including marine ecosystem restoration, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and preserve and enhance carbon sinks; and

     WHEREAS, climate researchers have asserted that establishing transparent methods for accounting direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to ensuring consistency, accuracy, and comparability of greenhouse gas emissions data across the public and private sectors; and

     WHEREAS, increasing attention to the potential of carbon sequestration through marine ecosystem restoration and enhancing carbon accounting methodologies for direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions would help the State meet its clean energy and climate change mitigation goals; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body affirms the importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve the State's decarbonization goals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body further affirms its commitment to supporting renewable energy and conservation projects that align carbon sequestration with marine ecosystem restoration; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body affirms its commitment to strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions reduction achieved through marine ecosystem restoration; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Report Title: 

Marine Ecosystems; Carbon Sequestration; Decarbonization; Climate Change

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1391

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 96

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 96 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF MARINE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION TO ACHIEVE THE STATE'S DECARBONIZATION GOALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to affirm:

     (1)  The importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve the State's decarbonization goals; and

     (2)  This body's commitment to:

          (A)  Supporting renewable energy and conservation projects that align carbon sequestration with marine ecosystem restoration; and

          (B)  Strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and Coalition Earth.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that healthy marine ecosystems can sequester carbon and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.  According to testimony received by your Committee, scientific data shows that the potential benefits of coordinating marine conservation with carbon sequestration are significant and mutually reinforcing.  This measure underscores the vital role that marine ecosystems play in achieving the State's ambitious decarbonization goals.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 96 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,