FACTBOX: U.S. state-level greenhouse gas reduction targets

(Reuters) - U.S. states have taken the lead in setting greenhouse gas reduction targets in the absence of federal leadership on mandatory limits on the emissions scientists link to global warming.

In stark contrast to the previous U.S. administration, President Barack Obama has said he favors cutting national emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Some of the state targets were passed through state legislatures and penalize the state if they are not met, while others were passed by executive order by the governors and do not carry penalties.

Some states have formed advisory committees to look into potential targets while others have joined Canadian provinces in launching initiatives to introduce regional emissions trading, or so-called cap and trade schemes that include targets of their own.

Here is a list of states that have set goals to reduce emissions along with those that are looking into adopting targets. Also included is the regional initiative to which they belong.

Arizona (WCI) - 2000 levels by 2020; 50 pct below 2000 levels by 2040 (LAW)

Arkansas - AR governor's Commission on Global Warming recommends 20 pct below 2000 levels by 2020; 35 pct below 2000 levels by 2025; 50 pct below 2000 levels by 2035

California (WCI) - 2000 levels by 2010; 1990 levels by 2020; 80 pct below 1990 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Colorado - 20 pct below 2005 levels by 2020; 80 pct below 2005 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Connecticut (RGGI) - 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020; 80 pct below 2001 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Florida - 2000 levels by 2017; 1990 levels by 2025; 80 pct below 1990 levels by 2050 (LAW). Florida also plans to launch a state cap-and-trade scheme.

Hawaii - 1990 levels by 2020 (LAW)

Illinois (MID) - 1990 levels by 2020; 60 pct below 1990 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Iowa (MID) - IA Climate Change Advisory Commission offers two strategies that would see between 50-90 pct below 2005 levels by 2050

Kansas (MID) - Member of MID but no target yet

Kentucky - KY governor plan sees 20 pct below 1990 levels by 2025

Maine (RGGI) - 1990 levels by 2010; 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-80 pct below 2003 levels beyond 2020 (LAW)

Maryland (RGGI) - MD Commission on Climate Change recommends 10 pct below 2006 by 2012; 50 pct below 2006 by 2020; 90 pct below 2006 by 2050

Massachusetts (RGGI) - 80 pct below 1990 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Michigan (MID) - Member of MID but no target yet

Minnesota (MID) - 15 pct below 2005 levels by 2015; 30 pct below 2005 levels by 2025, and 80 pct below 2005 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Montana (WCI) - 15 pct below 2005 levels by 2020 (under WCI)

New Hampshire (RGGI) - 1990 levels by 2010; 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020; and 75-85 pct below 2001 levels in the long term (LAW)

New Jersey (RGGI) - 1990 levels by 2020; 80 pct below 2006 levels by 2050 (LAW)

New Mexico (WCI) - 2000 levels by 2012; 10 pct below 2000 levels by 2020; 75 pct below 2000 levels by 2050 (LAW)

New York (RGGI) - 5 pct below 1990 levels by 2010; 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020 (LAW)

Oregon (WCI) - Stabilize by 2010; 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020; 75 pct below 1990 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Rhode Island (RGGI) - 1990 levels by 2010; 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020; and 75-85 pct below 2001 levels beyond 2020 (LAW)

South Carolina - SC Climate, Energy & Commerce Advisory Committee recommends 5 pct below 1990 levels by 2020

Utah (WCI) - 2005 levels by 2020 (LAW)

Vermont (RGGI) - 1990 levels by 2010; 10 pct below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85 pct below 2001 levels beyond 2020 (LAW)

Virginia - 30 pct below business-as-usual emissions by 2025 (LAW)

Washington (WCI) - 1990 levels by 2020; 25 pct below 1990 levels by 2035; 50 pct below 1990 levels by 2050 (LAW)

Wisconsin (MID) - WI Task Force on Global Warming recommends 2005 levels by 2014; 22 percent below 2005 levels by 2022; 75 percent below 2005 by 2050

*LAW indicated these targets have been set into law

INITIATIVES:

WCI: Western Climate Initiative - 15 pct below 2005 levels by 2020

here

RGGI: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - 10 pct below 2009 levels by 2019

www.rggi.org

MID: Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord - No target yet

www.midwesterngovernors.org

Source: Pew Center on Global Climate Change

(Compiled by Michael Szabo; editing by Anthony Barker)