CalGreen's Statement on California's Early and Successful Achievement of Emission Reduction

The State of California’s accelerated accomplishment of Assembly Bill 32 goals and targets was done so, even amidst the Great Recession and many legal and political setbacks.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–With its mission to advance systems thinking and the Triple-Bottom Line, the California Green Academy (“CalGreen”) commends the Governor’s Office, Air Resources Board (“CARB”), California Environmental Protection Agency (“CalEPA”), and the State of California, for early attainment of the Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) reduction targets under Assembly Bill (“AB”) 32.

California’s AB 32 achievements have arrived two years earlier than planned, even with the Great Recession almost 18 months after AB 32’s 2006 passage, and in the face of many political and legal setbacks–from initiatives limiting pollution fee collections, to court rulings citing federal standing. Despite prior hurdles, and the doomsday prophecies proclaimed nationwide, the State’s ambitious climate goals have spurred significant growth in green sector jobs, helped California become the North American epicenter of clean energy investment, as well as, profoundly contributed to California becoming the world’s 5th largest economy.

“Time and again, California proves one can have a vibrant and growing economy, met with rigorous environmental standards, and even lasting through a worldwide economic meltdown. The State has led the nation in green/clean job growth, is a trailblazer in this continent with clean energy investment, and with recent legislation like Senate Bill 32 and AB 398, becoming the 5th largest economy will not be the end of California’s ascension as an economic world power. We are incredibly grateful for the amazing leadership of Governor Brown, CalEPA Secretaries Linda S. Adams and Matthew Rodriquez, as well as, the unwavering determination of CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols, also known as, ‘North America’s Climate Cop,’” stated Greg Justice, CalGreen’s Chief Sustainability Officer (CEO/ED).

For more information on California’s emissions inventories, please visit CARB’s program webpage.

A PDF of this release can be downloaded here.