Welcome to the California Climate change Portal

California Climate Change Policy & Programs

Scientific evidence shows that global temperatures are likely to increase during this century. Continued global warming caused by rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere will have significant and widespread impacts on California's economy and the environment.

To respond to the challenge of climate change, Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Legislature passed the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32 - Núñez). The Act caps California's greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020. By 2050, the Governor has established a goal of reducing emissions to 80 percent below 1990 emission levels in 2050.

By committing the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Governor and California Legislature have put California at the forefront of global action. Achieving these ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require significant collaboration and support from all public entities and private stakeholders representing all sectors of California's diverse economy.

Addressing wide-ranging impacts of climate change requires a state-wide and coordinated multi-agency response. As such, Governor Schwarzenegger established the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) as the lead for coordinating all state agency actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. A Climate Action Team was established representing representatives from key state agencies responsible for implementing strategies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Action Team subgroups made up of agency staff grouped around sectors such as agriculture, forestry and energy have been formed to identify and analyze measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Each Agency and major department is contributing to the development of strategies for both mitigating the impacts of climate change and adapting to the impacts California is already experiencing.


Programs and Activities