Climate Targets

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Opening remarks from the 2026 California Climate Policy Summit

The 2026 California Climate Policy Summit. Photo by Lara Aburamadan / Survival Media Agency.

On April 13, 2026, more than 400 elected officials, climate activists, business leaders, environmental justice advocates, scientists, and policy experts gathered for the fifth annual California Climate Policy Summit. Thank you to all of you who joined us and supported this event! Read The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen’s opening remarks below: Welcome everyone, and … Read more

Categories Carbon Drawdown Climate Targets Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels
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Testimony: Reforming California’s Cap and Invest program

On February 23, 2026, the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies held a hearing on the reauthorization of Cap and Invest, California’s climate program. The following testimony was given to the committee by Allison Hilliard, Legislative Manager for The Climate Center: I want to align my comments with NRDC’s and add that the proposed … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels
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Tell the California Air Resources Board to end giveaways to corporate polluters

California’s flagship climate programs funneled nearly $28 billion to oil companies and biofuel suppliers from 2013 to 2024, according to a new report from The Climate Center.  Cap and Invest (formerly known as Cap and Trade) and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) are often referred to as California’s “signature” climate programs, designed to make … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels

The Best Ideas from COP30, the UN Climate Summit in Brazil

Zoom

This year, the United Nations climate summit — COP30 — took place in Belém, Brazil. This is The Climate Center’s fifth year as an official observer organization at the Conference of the Parties (COP). The event provided a unique platform to glean ideas from around the world and showcase California’s continued commitment to climate action … Read more

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Tell California leaders to listen to voters and invest in nature-based climate solutions

Update as of 9/16/25: The California legislature allocated the climate bond funds! Close to 1,000 members of The Climate Center community took action to ensure that Prop 4 funds would be allocated. Thank you for your advocacy. In the 2024 election, California voters approved a historic $10 billion climate bond, Prop 4, by a 60-40 … Read more

Categories Carbon Drawdown Climate Justice Climate Targets
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The 2025 California Climate Policy Summit: Growing our power together

Thanks to the more than 400 of you who were able to join us last week for the 2025 California Climate Policy Summit in Sacramento. It was an inspiring day of learning, action, and community, despite the challenges we face from rapidly worsening climate impacts and a science-denying, pro-oil federal administration. California State Senate President … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Climate Targets Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Natural Carbon Sequestration
| Report

Reforming California’s Cap and Trade Program

Analysis and Recommendations

Sacramento River. Photo via Canva.

The California Cap and Trade Program plays a pivotal role in the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is currently under review to incorporate updated emissions inventory data and the increased emissions reduction targets adopted in the 2022 Scoping Plan. The revised regulations will determine emissions targets, budgets, and potential reforms for … Read more

Categories Climate Targets
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Testimony: Reform Cap and Trade to cut pollution and help working Californians

On February 26, 2025, the California Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies held a hearing on the state’s Cap and Trade program. California’s Cap and Trade program. The program is supposed to be one of the most effective tools California has for both reducing climate pollution and generating funds to invest in climate solutions. … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels
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Big Oil’s record-breaking lobbying blocks climate action

Big Oil spent a record $38 million on lobbying in California in 2024 to obstruct climate progress, shattering its 2017 record by 31 percent. The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and Chevron, which together accounted for 83 percent of the industry’s expenditure in 2024, broke their previous spending record, with a combined $31.6 million last … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels