Go to Sustainability homepage
Photo of the California State Capitol building.

What the State Is Doing

In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-3-05 establishing the following greenhouse gas reduction targets for the State of California:

  • by 2010, reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels
  • by 2020, reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels
  • by 2050, reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels

In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Legislature passed the California Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32 - Nunez). The Act caps California's greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020 and establishes a timetable for reaching that target.

Since the passage of AB32, the California Air Resources Board has developed a Scoping Plan that lays out the measures, programs, and approaches to help California achieve the cap set under AB32 and begun to implement those measures. The Scoping Plan, a calendar of events, various climate-related State publications, and other information is available at: California Climate Change Portal

For more information about how the State's actions will affect local governments, see Local Government Actions for Climate Change  and the California Air Resources Board's Sector Portal.

The State has also developed a number of climate protection toolkits for local governments, as well as individuals, businesses, schools, and youth and community groups. Learn more at www.coolcalifornia.org.

Related Links