Governor Brown Announces 2030 Statewide Climate Pollution Limit

LOS ANGELES (April 29, 2015) – Speaking before the annual Navigating the American Carbon World conference, Governor Brown issued a historic new executive order to reduce California’s carbon pollution to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The order will put California halfway toward achieving its 2050 commitment to reduce emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels, in line with the science-driven consensus of the reductions required from industrial nations to avoid the most catastrophic risks of climate change.

“Governor Brown affirmed today that the Golden State will continue to set the gold standard in confronting climate change. California has shown that reducing climate pollution is not only the right thing to do for future generations but the smart thing to do for Californians today,” said Alex Jackson, legal director of the California climate project at NRDC. “Reducing our dependence on the fossil fuels that are driving climate change means less pollution and exposure to volatile oil markets, and more clean energy jobs.”

The 2030 target represents nearly a 45 percent reduction from California’s 2012 emissions, according to the most recent emissions data available from the California Air Resources Board. Since the passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act in 2006 (AB 32), California has cut its climate pollution while growing the economy. The state is on track to achieve the 2020 statewide limit established in the law thanks to a portfolio of groundbreaking clean energy and transportation policies. A recent poll finds 70 percent of Californians support AB 32.

“While California has made tremendous strides in decoupling emissions from economic growth, we know the pace of reductions must quicken to achieve our long-term goals,” said Jackson. “The science shows we must get there. Our track-record shows we will.”

Governor Brown’s newly announced order is in line with the European Union’s 2030 target announced last October. “Governor Brown’s leadership in working with other states, nations and subnational jurisdictions in the fight against climate change is a hopeful sign that helps set the stage for real climate action at the U.N. climate talks later this year,” said Ann Notthoff, NRDC’s California Director.