California
40%
85%
Carbon neutral
Governor
Gavin Newsom (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Supermajority
Senate Party
Democratic Supermajority
Key Offices & Links
47
15
West
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted
- In-progress
- Partially Enacted
- Not Enacted
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in California
Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | YR Enacted | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enacted |
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40% by 2030 | 85% and carbon neutral by 2045 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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The 2000-2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was published in September 2024. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2024 | |
Enacted |
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Climate Action Team Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2005 | |
Enacted |
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Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2017 | |
Enacted |
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"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
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2012 | |
Enacted |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2014 | ||
Enacted |
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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
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2016 | |
Enacted |
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Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Environmental Justice CalEPA – Environmental Justice Task Force CARB – Environmental Justice Section Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Enacted |
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Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Not Enacted |
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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 | ||
Not Enacted |
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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 | ||
Not Enacted |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 | ||
Enacted |
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California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Climate Finance | 1944 | |
Enacted |
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California's Cap-and-Trade Program covers the electricity, buildings, transportation, and industrial sectors, covering around 80% of state emissions. Establishing Policies
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Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | 2012 | |
Enacted |
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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) must incorporate the social cost of carbon when adopting rules and regulations around emissions reductions. Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | 2016 | |
Enacted |
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60% renewable electricity by 2030 | 90% by 2035 | 95% by 2040 | 100% by 2045 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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38 million metric tons (MMT) reduction by 2030 | 35 MMT by 2032 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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Achieving 100 Percent Clean Electricity in California Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2021 | |
Not Enacted |
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The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
0/5
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Partially Enacted |
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The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
10/11
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Partially Enacted |
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The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
4/6
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Enacted |
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California has an active community choice aggregation program. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | 2002 | |
Enacted |
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1,385 megawatts (MW) of storage by 2020, of which 500 MW must be distributed storage, and 15 gigawatts (GW) of storage and demand response by 2032 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2021 | |
Enacted |
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California received a B grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2023 | |
Not Enacted |
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Coal phaseouts establish a target year by which states must end coal-fired power generation. |
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | ||
Not Enacted |
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Coal securitization is a financing tool that allows utility companies to refinance debt they issued to build coal plants and close the facilities early without taking a financial hit or passing costs on to ratepayers. |
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | ||
Enacted |
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The statewide energy code for residential construction is the California 2022 Energy Code. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2021 | |
Enacted |
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The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is the California 2022 Energy Code. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2021 | |
Not Enacted |
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Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | ||
Enacted |
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The Appliance Efficiency Regulations apply to over 70 products. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | 2019 | |
Not Enacted |
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Building performance standards establish energy and/or greenhouse gas performance targets for existing buildings in a state. These targets increase in stringency over time, leading to efficiency improvements in buildings to conserve energy and reduce emissions. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
Not Enacted |
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Clean heat standards establish a performance standard requiring heat providers to deliver a gradually-increasing percentage of low-emission heating services to customers. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
Enacted |
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Electric utilities are required to achieve savings targets ranging from 1737.3 gigawatt hours (GWh) to 8,482.8 GWh for 2024-2035, depending on the utility. Gas utilities are required to achieve savings targets ranging from 17.1 million metric therms (MMTherms) to 189.3 MMTherms for 2024-2035, depending on the utility. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2023 | |
Enacted |
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California has enacted residential and commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2007 | |
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
3/4
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | ||
Enacted |
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Phases out natural gas burning furnaces and hot-water heaters in new buildings by 2030 Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Electrification | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
California LEV Program Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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Model Year (MY) 2026: 35% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs | MY 2030: 68% of new sales are ZEVs | MY 2035: 100% of new sales are ZEVs, with up to 20% being hybrid or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers rebates for new electric vehicles (EVs): up to $7,500 for battery and hydrogen fuel cell EVs, $6,500 for plug-in hybrid EVs, and $750 for zero-emission motorcycles. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2009 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The Low NOx Omnibus Rule applies to Model Year 2024 onwards. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | 2020 | |
Enacted |
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By 2035: 55% of Class 2b-3 truck sales are zero-emissions | 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales are zero emissions | 40% of Class 7-8 tractor sales are zero-emissions. MY 2036: 100% of truck sales must be ZEVs. By vehicle class: - Drayage trucks – 2024: New trucks must be ZEV | 2035: 100% of drayage trucks must be ZEVs - Public MHDVs – 2027: 100% of the state's fleet must be ZEVs - “High-priority fleets”, defined as companies with at least 50 trucks owned and operated in the state or with more than $50 million in annual revenue – By 2042: 100% ZEVs Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | 2021 | |
Not Enacted |
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Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state. |
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | ||
Enacted |
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50% of newly purchased light-duty vehicles in the state fleet each year are ZEVs 15% of newly purchased medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MDHVs) in the state fleet are ZEVs by 2026 | 30% are ZEVs by 2030 Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2017 | |
Enacted |
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100% of public transit agencies' bus fleets are zero-emission by 2040 100% of newly purchased or contracted school buses are zero-emission by 2035 Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2023 | |
Enacted |
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Requires EV charging infrastructure for certain new single- and two-family dwellings, as well as at least 10% of parking spaces designated for EVs in new multifamily dwellings. For new nonresidential buildings, requires one EV parking space for buildings with 10+ total parking spaces, increasing the required number of EV spaces incrementally up to 200 spaces; for developments with 200+ spaces, at least 6% of total spaces must be designated for EVs. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
EV Charging Infrastructure | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) offers rebates for the purchase and installation of publically available Level 2 and direct current (DC) fast chargers. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
EV Charging Infrastructure | ||
Enacted |
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2018 Zero-Emission Vehicle Action Plan Priorities Update Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2018 | |
Enacted |
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CARB has set regional GHG targets for each metropolitan planning organization for 2020 and 2035, ranging between a 3-19% decrease in per capita emissions by 2035, relative to 2005 emissions levels. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2018 | |
Enacted |
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California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2010 | |
Enacted |
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California is ranked 4th out of 50 in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
5/5
|
Transportation
|
Public and Active Transportation | ||
Enacted |
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State agencies must consider the emissions performance of suppliers when procuring steel, flat glass, and mineral wool insulation for state infrastructure projects. The state must achieve a 40% reduction in cement emissions by 2035, and net-zero by 2045, relative to 2019 levels. CARB must also develop a framework for measuring and reducing the embodied carbon of building construction materials, primarily at the materials production stage, and can utilize an embodied carbon trading system as a potential path to achieve the required GHG reductions. Establishing Policies
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Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Industrial Decarbonization | 2021 | |
Enacted |
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The state has a target to reduce HFC emissions to 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. The state prohibits certain HFCs in specific stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning end-uses. Establishing Policies
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Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | 2018 | |
Enacted |
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From 2011-2020, the annual maximum rate of SF6 emissions was reduced by 1 percent each year. Since 2020, the maximum SF6 emissions rate cannot exceed 1 percent for any owners of SF6-insulated switchgear. Starting in 2025, utilities are restricted from purchasing SF6 equipment after certain dates, require new emissions limits, set reporting requirements, and maintain gas-insulated equipment inventories. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | 2022 | |
Enacted |
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Methane emissions must be reduced 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. Establishing Policies
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Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Oil and Gas Regulations | 2016 | |
Enacted |
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The Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division prohibits issuing new permits to conduct well stimulation treatments, including fracking, for oil and gas wells. Establishing Policies
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Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
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Oil and Gas Regulations | 2024 | |
Enacted |
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Municipal solid waste landfills must reduce methane and other air pollutant emissions through emissions monitoring and through capturing fugitive methane. Establishing Policies
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Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
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Waste Management | 2010 | |
Enacted |
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Food waste target – 50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025, relative to 2014 levels. Food waste ban – The state requires commercial generators of organic waste to either compost or anaerobically digest organic waste. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Waste Management | 2016 | |
Enacted |
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The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Establishing Policies
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Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture | 2021 | |
Enacted |
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The Healthy Soils Program Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of healthy soil practices, and create a platform for promoting adoption of these practices throughout the state. Establishing Policies
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Natural and Working Lands
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Agriculture | 2021 |