California Enacts Most Ambitious GHG Target in U.S.

Looking to continue the progress made under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Governor Brown has issued an executive order that requires California to adopt a GHG emission reduction target of 40% under 1990 levels by 2030. The new goal is the most aggressive target from any North American government to cut carbon emissions over the next fifteen years.

The state is currently on pace to meet its current goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and the new standard will help California move closer to achieving the final target of reducing carbon emissions 80% under 1990 levels by 2050. While the goal is ambitious, the state notes that the big reductions are consistent with the established scientific guidance designed to limit global warming to 2 degrees C. Scientists warn that if temperatures rise higher than 2 degrees, major climate events such as massive droughts and rising sea levels are likely to result.

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