CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE ACTION: TRY EVERYTHING POSSIBLE

A S H L E Y C O N RA D - S AY D A HD E P U T Y S E C R E TA RY F O R C L I M AT E P O L I C Y

C A L I F O R N I A E N V I R O N M E N TA L P R O T E C T I O N A G E N C Y

M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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CALIFORNIA’S CHANGING CLIMATE

Indicators of Climate Change, oehha.ca.gov

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CLIMATE CHANGE SHORTHAND

• AB 32 – CA’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006• Cap and Trade – one of the complementary

policies employed by CA to meet climate goals• GGRF – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund – the

home for auction proceeds & funding source for existing & innovative climate mitigation programs• RPS, LCFS, SLCPs – Renewable Portfolio

Standard, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Short-lived Climate Pollutants – current and future policy mechanisms to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in state• Co-benefits – benefits that accompany GGRF

expenditures that complement emissions reductions

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• Achieve 1990 emissions level by 2020• Continue greenhouse gas reductions

beyond 2020• Adopt GHG emission reporting

regulation• Adopt discrete early action measures• Develop Scoping Plan and update it every

five years• Authority to adopt schedule of fees

AB 32

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Agriculture

Electricity

Water

Transportation

Refrigerants

Industry

Waste

SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GASES (GHG)

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CAP AND TRADE GOALS

• Reduce statewide GHG emissions• Cap and Trade covers 85% of California economy

• Balance environmental stringency and costs• Price emissions; Utilize carbon offset credits

• Spur innovation to create a low-carbon economy• Complement other air quality and GHG programs

within AB 32 and other agencies• Maintain a flexible mechanism with a strict cap• Work with other jurisdictions, either through

formalized information sharing (e.g. China) or linkage (e.g. Quebec)

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Early Action Results: Pre-cap progress

Expect more progress under the cap (pending)

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CLIMATE ACTION: GGRF

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http://ww

w.ebudget.ca.gov/2015-16/

pdf/Revised/BudgetSumm

ary/

CapandTradeExpenditurePlan.pdfREVISED 15-16 BUDGET

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SENATE BILL 535 (DE LEÓN, 2012)

• At least 25 percent of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund moneys shall be allocated to projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.

• At least 10 percent of these moneys shall be allocated to projects located in disadvantaged communities.

• CalEPA shall identify disadvantaged communities “based on geographic, socioeconomic, public health and environmental hazard criteria.”

• CalEnviroScreen used to assess census tracts: top 25 percent designated CA as disadvantaged (http://oehha.ca.gov/ej/ces2.html)

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http://oehha.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=dae2fb1e42674c12a04a2b302a080598

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NEW ORDERS

GOVERNOR BROWN ESTABLISHES MOST AMBITIOUS GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGET IN NORTH AMERICA

New California Goal Aims to Reduce Emissions 40 Percent Below 1990 Levels by 2030Princeton University Professor Michael Oppenheimer: "Governor Brown's ground-breaking commitment not only shows that solving the climate problem goes hand-in-hand with economic growth and technology leadership, but points the way toward a climate solution for other states and the world." 

State of the State/Inaugural Address 2015

Executive Order B-30-15

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PROGRESS

• 2030 and 2050 goals: Executive Orders• Coordinated state, regional, local approach• Progress at sub-national and national level• National targets• Sub-national agreements, Under2 MOU

• Federal action on existing and new power plants (111b and 111d)• Iterative reductions result in cumulative,

worldwide benefits

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THANK YOU!

Questions?Ashley Conrad-SaydahAshley.Conrad-Saydah@calepa.ca.gov