This bill declares a climate emergency in the state of Connecticut in order to increase access to federal funds and demonstrate the urgency for enacting meaningful climate legislation. The bill recognizes climate change as a public health and environmental justice emergency and calls for increased community coping capacities to handle the impacts of climate extremes and climate refugees. The bill also calls for increased federal funding requests for climate-related actions, including the development of zero-carbon electricity generation, community climate resilience, and training for clean energy sector jobs. Additionally, the bill establishes a Citizens Oversight Working Group to provide oversight of the state's adherence to climate goals and ensure compliance with executive orders concerning climate change.

The bill also requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to produce a comprehensive Connecticut Decarbonization Roadmap to achieve emissions reduction targets. The Department of Economic and Community Development is tasked with securing funding for local businesses to access renewable energy supplies and consume decreased levels of fossil fuels. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority are directed to develop strategies for renewable energy infrastructure development, and the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection and Administrative Services are required to assist residents and municipalities in obtaining federal funding for renewable energy systems in newly constructed buildings. Finally, the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Office of Workforce Strategy are instructed to develop job retraining plans for industries impacted by the transition away from fossil fuels.