California
California has long been a leader in climate policy. The state aims to achieve net-zero emissions and 100% clean energy by 2045.
Legislative Profile
Governor: Gavin Newsom (D)
House: Democratic supermajority
Senate: Democratic supermajority
U.S. Climate Alliance Member
Key Resources
California State Energy Profile — U.S. EIA
California Air Resources Board Climate Change Portal – CARB
California Energy Policy Simulator — Energy Innovation
Fighting Redlining and Climate Change with Transformative Climate Communities — Greenlining Institute
Emissions Reduction Targets
By 2030:
40%
By 2045:
Carbon Neutral
All targets relative to 1990 levels
2019 GHG Emissions By Sector (%)
- Commercial
- Electric
- Residential
- Industrial
- Transportation
- Agriculture
Source: EPA State Inventory Tool (SIT)
Use the + icons in each policy area below to explore climate policy that has been passed at the state level, with links to relevant legislation and trackers. Policies in gray have not yet been passed in this state.
Climate Governance & Equity
Climate Governance
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Emissions Reduction Target
40% by 2030 | Carbon neutral by 2045 Relative to 1990 levels
Mandate Source
2030: Mandatory – SB-32 – Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (2016)
2045: Mandatory – AB 1297 (2022)
Climate Action Plan
Climate Bureaucracy
Interagency Commissions/Task Forces
Non-Governmental Advisory Bodies
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
2000-2020 Emissions Trends (October 2022)
Mandate Source
Green Bank
California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank
Establishing Legislation
California Government Code Title 6.7, Division 1, Chapter 1 section 63002 (1944)
Climate Catalyst Fund: AB 78 (2020)
Lead by Example
ACEEE Score – 1 out of 1 point**
Public Fleet ZEV Requirements
SB 498 (2017) – Beginning in FY 2024-25, at least 50% of light-duty vehicles purchased for the state fleet each year are ZEVs
AB 739 (2017) – 15% of newly purchased medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MDHVs) in the state fleet are ZEVs by 2026 | 30% of newly purchased MDHVs are ZEVs by 2030
Equity
Environmental Justice Community Designation
Mandate Source
SB 535 (2012)
Definition
“Disadvantaged communities” are defined as the top 25% scoring areas 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.
Include race? No | Include income? Yes | Include pollution burden? Yes
State EJ Mapping Tools
EJ Community Benefit Requirement
AB 1550 (2016) – At least 25% to disadvantaged communities and 10% to low-income communities, individuals, and households
EJ Bureaucracy
**The ACEEE Energy Efficiency Scorecard analyzes the policies and programs states adopt to save energy in public sector buildings and transportation fleets. States can earn up to 1 point.
Adaptation & Resilience
Electricity
Renewables and Energy Storage
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Distributed Generation/Solar Carve-out
SPOT Components – 0 out of 5*
Net Metering
SPOT Components – 10 out of 11*
Energy Storage Standard
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Shared Renewables
SPOT Components – 4 out of 6*
Grid and Utility Reform
Clean Energy Plan
Grid Modernization Plan
The GridWise Alliance’s Grid Modernization Index (GMI) evaluates and ranks the status of grid modernization efforts across all 50 states and D.C.
50-state Ranking – 1st
Interconnection Standards
SPOT Components – 5 out of 6*
Utility Green Power Option
SPOT Components – 2 out of 6*
New Utility Business Model Proceeding
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Carbon Pollution Pricing
*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.
Buildings & Efficiency
Building Energy Codes
Residential Codes
SPOT Components – 6 out of 6*
Statewide code – California Energy Code (2021)
Commercial Codes
SPOT Components – 6 out of 6*
Statewide code – California Energy Code (2019)
Stretch or Reach Codes
*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.
Efficiency Programs and Financing
Weatherization Programs
SPOT Components – 3 out of 4*
Energy Auditing Programs
Retrocommissioning Programs
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
SPOT Components – 8 out of 10*
Energy Savings Performance Contracting
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Standards and Market Mechanisms
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
SPOT Components – 4 out of 5*
Building Performance Standard (BPS)
Appliance Performance Standard (APS)
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Buildings Data Disclosure
Transportation
Vehicle Standards and Incentives
Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates
EV Targets and Sales Requirements
Advanced Clean Cars II (2022) – 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
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle (MHDVs) Sales Standards
California Advanced Clean Trucks
EV Sales Requirements
Executive Order N-79-20 (2020) – 100% of in-state sales of new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will be zero-emission by 2045
Electric Vehicle Incentives
SPOT Components – 4 out of 5*
Charging Infrastructure Incentives
SPOT Components – 4 out of 5*
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
State Planning and Investment
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Per capita emissions: -1% to 8% by 2020 | -1% to 16% by 2035
Relative to 1990 levels
Mandate Source
Mandatory – SB 375 (2008)
Decarbonization Plan
EV and EV Charging Infrastructure Plans
2018 ZEV Action Plan Update (2018)
2016 ZEV Action Plan (2016)
EV Transit Bus Deployment
The ACEEE Transportation Electrification Scorecard analyzes the level of investment and policies states adopt to procure electric transit buses. States can earn up to 6 points.
ACEEE Score – 5 out of 6 points
Bicycle Friendly State
The League of American Bicyclists’ State Report Cards evaluate and rank the safety and efficiency of active transportation systems across all 50 states.
50-state Ranking – 4th
*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.
Agriculture
Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture Governance
Financial Incentives
SB 129 (2021) – Healthy Soils Program
Technical Assistance and Education Programs
SB 129 (2021) – Healthy Soils Program
Food Waste Bans and Targets
Food Waste Reduction Target – 50% by 2020 | 75% by 2025
Relative to 2014 levels
Waste Recycling Requirement – Required for commercial generators of organic waste to either compost or anaerobically digest organic waste.
Mandate Source
SB 1383 (2016)
California Title 14, Natural Resources–Division 7, Ch. 3.1, Articles 1-3, 5-9
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Regulations
HFC Regulations
SB 1383 (2016) – Reduce HFC emissions 40% below 2013 levels by 2030
Methane Regulations
SB 1383 (2016) – Reduce methane emissions 40% below 2013 levels by 2030
SF6 Regulations
Title 17, CCR, sections 95350 et. seq. – Reduces SF6 emissions from electricity transmission and distribution equipment
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Buy Clean Requirements
AB 262 (2017) – Suppliers’ emissions performance is taken into account when an agency is contracting to buy steel, flat glass, and mineral wool insulation for state infrastructure projects.