On February 13, 2024, the Senate Environmental Quality joined the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy, met to consider the new proposed “Cap and Trade Rulemaking” and to examine more closely why the state’s current cap-and-trade program is not on track to drive environmental justice and affordability outcomes by 2030. Staff produced a background paper to summarize the concerns. You can watch the hearing here.
Mitigation Planning
Open for Public Comment: 2023 Annual Report of the Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee Open for Public Comment: 2023
The Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee (IEMAC) is seeking public comment on its Sixth Annual Report to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies on the environmental and economic performance of California’s carbon market
and other relevant climate policies.
Public comments should be sent to iemac@calepa.ca.gov by February 26.
CARB’s Scoping Plans
The California Scoping Plan refers to a comprehensive strategy developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to outline measures and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The plan is a key component of California’s commitment to addressing climate change and meeting its statutory targets for reducing emissions.
The 2008 Scoping Plan, which was actually finalized in 2009, was the first such plan. As required by statute, the Scoping Plan has been updated every five years by CARB since then.
The 2022 Scoping Plan can be found here: 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality
The 2017 Scoping Plan can be found here: California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan
The 2013 Scoping Plan can be found here: First Update to the Climate Change Scoping Plan: Building on the Framework Pursuant to AB 32: The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
The 2008 Scoping Plan can be found here: Climate Change Scoping Plan: A Framework for Change Pursuant to AB 32 The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO): Assessing California’s Climate Policies–The 2022 Scoping Plan Update
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) recently evaluated the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) 2022 Scoping Plan Update, which outlines the state’s plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report can be found here: Assessing California’s Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update. The Scoping Plan Update aims to achieve a 48% reduction in GHG emissions below the 1990 level by 2030 and at least an 85% reduction by 2045. However, the LAO’s assessment found that the plan lacks a clear strategy for meeting the 2030 GHG goals, as it does not specify the specific policies it will implement to achieve these reductions. The report provides recommendations for legislative next steps.
Specifically, the LAO recommended that the California legislature should work with CARB to develop a more detailed plan that outlines specific policies and measures to achieve the 2030 GHG reduction goals. Additionally, the report suggested that the legislature should consider providing oversight to ensure that the plan is effectively implemented and that the state is on track to meet its GHG reduction targets.