West

California

California has long been a leader in climate and environmental justice policy and is one of the world’s largest economies. Despite ambitious climate policies, including an emissions reduction target of 85% below 1990 levels by 2045, emissions decreased only 7% from 1990-2021. Around half of in-state electricity is generated from renewables, and the state is the nation’s top producer of electricity from solar and geothermal resources. The state ranks 7th in the country for crude oil production, although both crude oil and natural gas production are steadily declining.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 1990 levels

2030

40%

2045

85%

2045

Carbon neutral

Governor

Gavin Newsom (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Supermajority

Senate Party

Democratic Supermajority

Legislative session

1/3/24 - 8/31/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

47

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

15

Policy Opportunities

across 4 policy areas

See all

West

11 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted
In-progress
Partially Enacted
Not Enacted

Glossary of Terms

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	YR Enacted
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality Establishing Policies AB 32 - Global Warming Act of 2006 (2006) 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2022
Enacted	Climate Advisory Bodies Empty column Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee Establishing Policies AB 398 (2017) Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2017
Enacted	Climate Bureaucracy Empty column Climate Action Team Establishing Policies Executive Order S-3-05 (2005) Climate Action Team	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2005
Enacted	Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column 40% by 2030 \| 85% and carbon neutral by 2045 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies SB-32 (2016) AB 1279 (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2022
Enacted	State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Empty column The 2000-2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was published in September 2024. Establishing Policies SB-32 (2016) 2000-2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2024)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2024
Not Enacted	Cumulative Impact Assessment Empty column Cumulative impact assessments determine the health and environmental impacts of renewing or granting a permit for certain pollution-generating facilities in environmental justice communities. Increased pollution burdens in communities may result in the permit application being denied.	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Bureaucracy Empty column Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Environmental Justice CalEPA – Environmental Justice Task Force CARB – Environmental Justice Section Establishing Policies Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Environmental Justice CalEPA – Environmental Justice Task Force CARB – Environmental Justice Section	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Definitions Empty column "Disadvantaged communities" are the 25% highest scoring census tracts from CalEnviroScreen, which includes areas burdened by combinations of poverty, high unemployment, air and water pollution, presence of hazardous wastes, and/or high incidence of asthma and heart disease, as well as all Tribal lands. Establishing Policies SB 535 (2012) SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2012
Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Investment Requirements Empty column At least 25% of investments from cap-and-trade revenue must go to disadvantaged communities and 10% to low-income communities, individuals, and households. Establishing Policies AB 1550 (2016)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2016
Enacted	Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Empty column CalEnviroScreen Establishing Policies CalEnviroScreen (2014)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2014
Not Enacted	Just Transition Advisory Bodies Empty column Just transition advisory bodies write or advise on a state's just transition plan or report, and make recommendations on ways to support affected workers, communities, and industries. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Funds Empty column Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Offices and Staff Empty column Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition
Not Enacted	Just Transition Plans Empty column Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification.	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition

California

Key Offices & Links

47

15

West

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in California