Climate Justice

| Press Release

Big oil was instrumental in crafting a California tax policy that now costs billions in revenue, report reveals

As California faces another deficit, advocates urge lawmakers to end fossil fuel subsidies

Oil tankers at the Port of Long Beach.

SACRAMENTO — Global oil majors played a pivotal role in orchestrating a multibillion-dollar tax dodge that shields corporate profits from California taxes, according to new, in-depth historical research and analysis by The Climate Center. The Water’s Edge tax election, established in the state in 1986 after a decade-long fight, enables multinational corporations to avoid taxes … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels
| Report

Water’s Edge Tax Haven and California’s Budget Shortfall

How Oil and Gas Majors Crafted a Tax Avoidance Policy Contributing to Ongoing Budget Woes

Oil tankers at the Port of Long Beach.

This report details how global oil majors like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell orchestrated the creation of California’s Water’s Edge tax loophole — a policy that now costs California taxpayers billions annually. It offers a first-of-its-kind, historical look at how oil giants lobbied for and have benefited from the Water’s Edge tax election, shielding their profits … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels

California Climate Policy Summit 2025

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Join us at the fourth annual California Climate Policy Summit on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Sacramento. Collaborate with state decision-makers, elected officials, climate activists, environmental justice advocates, business leaders, scientists, and policy experts to build power across California in support of science-based climate policies. Learn what visionary climate leaders are doing to accelerate the … Read more

| Blog Post

A note from The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen

The outcome of this presidential election is a blow to our community’s hopes for accelerated, equitable climate action. But this election does not spell the end of climate progress. Why? Because we in the California climate movement are resilient, we are committed, and we refuse to give up the fight. Our foundational belief at The … Read more

Categories Climate Justice
| Press Release

California voters pass Prop 4, the climate bond

Bond secures $10 billion for investments in clean air, clean water, and climate resilience

Climate Action Now

SACRAMENTO — Moments ago, the Associated Press announced that California’s Proposition 4 has passed. Prop 4 will invest $10 billion in urgent protections against extreme heat, wildfire, sea level rise, and flooding, as well as investments in clean water. The bond also includes funding for California’s farms, natural lands, and waters to build climate resilience. Baani … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Justice Public Health
| Post

Every bit of warming prevented makes a difference

Recent extremes on every continent have been made more devastating by the burning of fossil fuels. How do we know? A new branch of science called rapid attribution studies connects the dots.  Scientists estimate climate change made the high sea temperatures that fueled Hurricane Helene 200 to 500 times more likely and caused Helene to … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Climate Targets
| Post

Big utilities are killing affordable clean energy

Corporate utilities including PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric are influencing rules to maximize their profits and cut off millions of Californians from accessing affordable, clean energy. Case in point, last Friday, Governor Newsom vetoed SB 1374 (Becker). This common-sense bill would have allowed schools and apartments to use their own … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice
| Post

How did the California legislature do on climate this year?

Climate champions in the state legislature introduced critical bills this year aimed at supporting affordable and reliable clean energy and forcing oil and gas corporations to clean up their pollution.  Four key bills survived and, with your help, could soon become law if signed by Governor Newsom: With major support from you and from across … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

We’re making polluters pay

At the end of August, we gathered 50+ climate activists in Sacramento for a ’Make Polluters Pay’ rally to highlight three critical bills pending before California lawmakers:  Shortly after the rally, with thanks to your phone calls and letters to decision-makers, all three bills passed the legislature and now await the governor’s signature!  A new … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels