Climate Targets

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Protect funding for climate solutions in the Cap and Invest program

Last year, the state legislature reauthorized and reformed California’s signature climate program, Cap and Invest, through 2045. The program sets a cap on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed within the state, then allows companies to buy and sell permits (called “allowances”) to emit a specified amount of climate pollution. The revenue generated by … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Climate Targets

Understanding Cap and Invest Reforms and California’s Climate and Affordability Investments

In May, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved changes to the Cap and Invest program that could mean $2 billion per year in lost funding for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), impacting affordable housing, public transit, clean air, clean water, and other statewide climate investments. This briefing covered those changes, what they mean … Read more

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Farewell and hope for our future

CEO Ellie Cohen (center) and The Climate Center's staff at their annual retreat in October of 2025 at Paicines Ranch. Photo by The Climate Center.

It’s hard to believe that my last day before entering retirement is next Tuesday, June 30. The Climate Center’s Board of Directors and management team are making progress toward hiring a new CEO to take us to even greater heights. You’ll be hearing more from them soon! Thank you, partners, donors, and activists for being … Read more

Categories Climate Targets
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Testimony: Strengthening Cap and Invest to reduce more climate pollution

On May 6, 2026, the California Senate Joint Budget Committees and the Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the state’s Cap and Invest program. California’s Cap and Invest program, formerly called Cap and Trade, is a market-based system intended to reduce climate pollution and generate funds to invest in climate solutions. But as … Read more

Categories Climate Targets
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Support The Climate Center’s team in this year’s California Green Fondo Climate Ride

Photo via Laurie-Ann Barbour.

The Climate Center is a beneficiary of Climate Ride, a nonprofit that organizes active events to raise money for the planet. This year, we are fundraising for our work by participating in the Green Fondo Northern California cycling event. Read our stories about why we ride! Laurie-Ann, Administrative Manager: Having just celebrated my twelfth anniversary … Read more

Categories Climate Justice 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

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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