2017 Scoping Plan details how state will slash climate-changing gases
SACRAMENTO — Building on the state’s success in
decarbonizing its economy, the California Air Resources Board today approved a
bold plan to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over the
coming decade while improving air quality and public health, investing in
disadvantaged communities, and supporting jobs and economic growth.
“At a
time when science shows us that climate change is happening faster than
anticipated, California is responding with a bold plan that rises to meet this
global challenge,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “It builds on proven
actions and presents a template for other jurisdictions who are also committed
to preventing the worst impacts of a warming planet.”
Eleven years ago, the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act
(AB 32) set the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by
2020. California is on track to exceed that target, while the state’s economic
growth has continued to outpace the rest of the country. The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan, approved unanimously by CARB today,
sets the state on an ambitious course to reduce climate-changing gases an
additional 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 under SB 32. This will
require California to double the rate at which it has been cutting
climate-changing gases.
Following through on these actions the plan estimates,
could save the state in 2030 as much as $11 billion dollars in avoided environmental
damage from carbon pollution in 2030. Costs of California’s 2017 wildfire
season so far are now more than $10 billion.
The
programs detailed in the Scoping Plan will also improve public
health while reducing costs associated with healthcare and natural
disasters. These include a projected reduction in premature deaths of 3,300 by
2030. The financial benefit from reduced sick days and hospital stays will be
more than $1.2 billion in 2030.
Implementing
this Scoping Plan will ensure that California’s climate actions continue
to promote innovation, drive the generation of new jobs, and achieve continued
reductions of smog and air toxics. The ambitious approach draws on a decade of
successful programs that address the major sources of climate-changing gases in
every sector of the economy:
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More Clean Cars and Trucks:
The plan sets out far-reaching programs to incentivize the sale of millions of
zero-emission vehicles, drive the deployment of zero-emission trucks, and shift
to a cleaner system of handling freight statewide.
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Increased Renewable Energy:
California’s electric utilities are ahead of schedule meeting the requirement
that 33 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020. The Scoping
Plan guides utilities to 50 percent renewables, as required under SB 350.
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Slashing Super-Pollutants:
The plan calls for a significant cut in super-pollutants such as methane and
HFC refrigerants, which are responsible for as much as 40 percent of global
warming.
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Cleaner Industry and Electricity:
California’s renewed cap-and-trade program
extends the declining cap on emissions from utilities
and industries and the carbon allowance
auctions. The auctions will continue to fund investments in clean
energy and efficiency, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
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Cleaner Fuels: The Low
Carbon Fuel Standard will drive further development of cleaner, renewable
transportation fuels to replace fossil fuels.
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Smart Community Planning:
Local communities will continue developing plans which will further link
transportation and housing policies to create sustainable communities.
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Improved Agriculture and Forests:
The Scoping Plan also outlines innovative programs to account for and reduce
emissions from agriculture, as well as forests and other natural lands.
The
Scoping Plan also evaluates reductions of smog-causing pollutants through
California’s climate programs. In addition, AB 617 lays the groundwork
for new and enhanced efforts to identify and reduce air pollutants and air
toxics with a specific focus on communities near the state’s biggest emitters
and in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution.
The Scoping Plan is the result of unprecedented public
outreach and coordination over the past two years. More than 20 state
agencies collaborated to produce the plan, which was informed by 15 state agency-sponsored
workshops, five board meetings and more than 500 public comments.
Building
on today’s plan, CARB will continue to look for additional opportunities to
reduce greenhouse gases and criteria and air toxics emissions. A Natural and
Working Lands Implementation Plan will be completed next year along with
continued implementation of AB 617 and AB 197 to improve access to air
emissions data and better air quality in the most burdened communities in
California. CARB has also initiated a new rulemaking to design a post 2020
Cap-and-Trade program that conforms to the requirements of AB 398.
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