California Sets More Aggressive Net-Zero Emissions Target

The California Climate Crisis Act is the first codification of the state’s carbon neutrality goal.

The California legislature codified a more aggressive emissions reduction policy for the state. The legislature recently passed A.B. 1279, known as the California Climate Crisis Act, which establishes a target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as soon as possible but no later than 2045 and sets the goal to reduce statewide anthropogenic GHG emissions at least 85% below the 1990 level by 2045.

Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law, as it largely follows his proposal to establish a “clear and legally binding” goal for California to achieve statewide carbon neutrality no later than 2045 and a GHG reduction target of 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. A critic of the bill, however, noted that accelerated emission reductions targets will depend on regulatory reform to accelerate permitting for decarbonization projects and well as the extension of the state’s cap-and-trade program.

California Carbon Neutrality

Carbon neutrality has been a long-term goal in California but has been established only through Governor Jerry Brown’s 2018 Executive Order B-55-18, which set a goal for carbon neutrality by 2045. A.B. 1279 codifies this goal.

The carbon neutrality goal is a step further than earlier executive and legislative efforts to implement a carbon reduction policy. In 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-3-05, which set a target for GHG reduction of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Similarly, in 2016, SB 32 set a target for GHG reduction of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. A Senate analysis of A.B. 1279 stated that the bill’s goal is in addition to the emissions reduction targets under SB 32.

Carbon Removal

The bill defines “net zero greenhouse gas emissions” as GHG emissions that are “balanced by removals of greenhouse gas emissions over a period of time.” The bill requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to identify and implement “policies and strategies” that enable carbon dioxide removal solutions and carbon capture technologies. Additionally, A.B. 1279 is contingent on the enactment of S.B. 905, which implements a carbon capture and storage program and was passed by the legislature on September 2, 2022. An Assembly analysis of the bill, however, noted that the bill “aims to ensure that negative emissions strategies cannot replace aggressive strategies to reduce GHG emissions.”

Scoping Plan and CARB Reports

A.B. 1279 requires CARB to update the scoping plan to identify and recommend measures to achieve these policy goals. CARB must also provide a series of reports on the policy to the legislature and evaluate the feasibility and tradeoffs of achieving the 85% emissions reduction goal by December 31, 2035.