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SCR 115

AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF MARINE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION TO ACHIEVE THE STATE'S DECARBONIZATION GOALS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 4 co-sponsors

Affirms marine ecosystem restoration as a nature-based strategy to help Hawaii decarbonize, boost climate resilience, and align carbon sequestration with energy projects.

Resolution adopted in final form. 23 Aye(s); Aye(s) with reservations: none . 2 No(es): Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte. 0 Excused: none.
#carbonsequestration #climatechange #decarbonization #marineecosystems
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Bill Summary · SCR 115

Summary — SCR 115 (Concurrent Resolution)

Affirming the importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve the State's decarbonization goals

Purpose / Intent

SCR 115 is a non‑binding concurrent resolution adopted by the Hawaii Legislature that affirms the role of marine ecosystem restoration (and associated wetlands protection) as a nature‑based strategy to help the State meet its decarbonization and climate resilience goals. It also expresses support for aligning renewable energy and conservation projects with carbon sequestration efforts and for strengthening carbon accounting methods to quantify direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals.

Key findings and factual context in the resolution

  • Human activities (notably fossil fuel combustion) drive climate change.
  • 34% of Hawaii’s coastlines are vulnerable to intensified hazards from accelerating sea‑level rise.
  • Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission projections cited: global sea levels could rise more than three feet by 2100, with some projections showing similar rise as early as 2060.
  • Over the next 30–70 years an estimated 6,500 structures, 38 miles of coastal roads, 550 cultural sites, and about 19,800 residents may be exposed to chronic flooding, with estimated economic losses of ~$19 billion.
  • State climate goals referenced: 100% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2045 and reducing GHG emissions to at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
  • The resolution cites international recognition (G7 Communiqué, Apr 16, 2023) of nature‑based solutions including marine restoration.

Actions and commitments in the resolution

  • Affirms the importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve decarbonization objectives.
  • Affirms support for renewable energy and conservation projects that integrate carbon sequestration with marine restoration.
  • Affirms commitment to strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to better quantify and account for GHG reductions and sequestration achieved through marine restoration (including relevance of fresh/brackish wetlands).
  • Directs transmission of certified copies to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office (and in some versions to legislative leadership).

Affected parties / likely impacts

  • Primarily symbolic but policy‑directing: state agencies (BLNR, Hawaii State Energy Office), conservation programs, coastal managers, and climate planning bodies.
  • May influence future program priorities, grantmaking, interagency coordination, technical guidance, and consideration of marine restoration in GHG mitigation planning and carbon project development.
  • Could prompt further work on standardized carbon accounting for marine and wetland carbon sinks, and encourage integration of restoration into climate and energy strategies.

Procedural / timeline details

  • Offered: March 7, 2025 (reported through committee referrals and hearings in March–April 2025).
  • Committee actions: Referred to AEN and EEP; reported and amended in HD1.
  • Final adoption: Resolution adopted in final form (reported 05‑02‑2025). Final vote: 23 Aye(s); 2 No(es): Senators Awa and DeCorte; 0 Excused.
  • Sponsors: Senators Gabbard, San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Chang, Richards.
  • Related: Companion resolution SR 96.

Note: the provided bill materials contained an unrelated Delaware ADA resolution text appended; that appears to be an insertion error and is not part of SCR 115’s substantive Hawaiian resolution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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