Maryland Cost of Climate Change Study to Inform Policy and Investment
April 1, 2026. The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) recently launched Maryland’s Cost of Climate Change Study, a landmark statewide analysis formally titled “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – Total Assessed Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Study and Reports.” The analysis is mandated under the Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act of 2025 and will document economic and fiscal impacts of climate changes and resilience actions on Maryland's economic sectors, infrastructure, environmental systems, and public health.
The study is led by Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman's Office in partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), Through this work, CCS will develop the state’s first integrated, data-driven accounting of climate-related costs across sectors and systems along with an evaluation of targeted strategies to reduce loss and damage. It will support future statewide policy decisions, resilience investments, and fiscal planning efforts. The multi-phase technical assessment combines climate projections, economic impacts, and interagency collaboration.
Key components include Climate Risk, Sensitivity, and Hazard Analysis; Sector and System Level Exposure and Vulnerability Assessment; Loss and Damage Estimates; Adaptation Cost and Benefit Analysis; and potential Passthrough Costs of Program Funding.
An interagency working group held its inaugural meeting on March 30. Throughout the coming year, the CCS team will work closely with Maryland agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive, transparent analysis and use of the best available data and study methods to support practical decision-making across the state.
As Comptroller Lierman has emphasized, sound policy begins with sound financial analysis. Results from the Maryland study will support future legislative and policy discussions on climate resilience funding, economic risk management, and long-term infrastructure and service planning, and will be reported to the Maryland General Assembly later this year.
Read more about the project HERE
